Brake drums and wheel spacers

[Howard Wright]

Hi All

I’ve had a couple of open centre 18” wheels for some time and recently acquired a couple more so I thought I’d treat the Special to a set of 18 by 4 tyres (Longstones). Apart from being a **** to put on the tyres look good but just foul the rear body work  .

I’ve read past posts about wheel spacers (Steve Jones and others) and am contemplating making some.  However how are the lugs on the drum secured?  I’ve tried gently trying to tap them out but they refuse to budge.  Are they peened over and need to be drilled out?  Secondly I’m considering using semi Girling drums so what mods are needed for them to fit with Austin’s backplates. Is it simply turning off the lip?

Cheers

Howard

[dickie65]

Austin offered wheel spacers to allow the fitting of snow chains.
There is a picture of one in either the source book or original austin seven.

[Howard Wright]

Thanks Dickie

Yes I’ve seen those. I doubt there are any around now so I think I’m going to have to make them.

Cheers

Howard

[Steve Jones]

Yes, Howard, they are peened over and need to be drilled out. I should still have the spacers I made years ago somewhere but I did look for them to show someone else not that long ago and couldn't find them. I'll try again and post a photo if they're still here. I do have some of the longer registers I made and I do know where they are. I'll post a photo of them later if that helps.

Steve

PS: Our mutual friend should be a happy chap today following the performance of his son and his grandson on the John Harris yesterday.

[Howard Wright]

Hi Steve

Thanks! I guessed that it was more than an interference fit. The new Girling drums look, from the Seven Workshop photo, to be attached with a grub screw.

I haven’t seen the John Harris results but the Price’s are a formidable father son (and grandfather) team and two (even three) very good cars.

Cheers

Howard