aluminum brake drums

[donZ]

did aluminum brake drums , come standard, or were they a option?

 

[gn4u2c]

They were not standard. I found mine on a limited at the bone yard about 4-5 years back.

 

[pacecarta]

AFIK the 87 gn was std with alum, not surewhem=n i got mine it was steel , but then again theres no source for new aluminum so steel is all there is to replace,
i got mine from an iroc camaro (RIP), others in the yards have them just have to look

 

[pacecarta]

according to the parts books 86-87 G with 8.5 rear had aluminum drums

that would indicate to me that aluminum drums were originally installed from the factory on turbo regals

not specifically mentioned for 84-85 but it does list alum drums as applicable for 84-85 G

 

[UNGN]

They were Std on turbo regals. When you ordered the G80 posi, you got cast Iron, however.

 

[tom h]

Originally posted by UNGN
...When you ordered the G80 posi, you got cast Iron, however.

YES ... my 87GN with G80 posi has iron drums.

 

[at7we2]

my '87 GN came from the factory with iron drums. it's a late production car so it's possible they stopped using the aluminum drums sometime during the early production run - I dunno.

my GN also has steel bumper inserts and supports, not aluminum.

it's my understanding the aluminum drums were either an option or "luck of the draw" I have not seen many turbo Buicks with aluminum drums.

not trying to hi-jack the thread, but I've often heard and even read "all '87's have 11 vane pumps in the transmission" I know this is incorrect as my late production '87 GN had a 7 vane pump in the tranny when it was opened for the very first time.

so what's my point? none really. IMO, all these little production options and variations are part of what makes owning a turbo Buick fun!

I'm still hunting for one of those twin-turbo v8 GNX's the FBI had! They probably came with aluminum drums *and* aluminum engine blocks!!

 

[turbofish38]

Originally posted by UNGN
They were Std on turbo regals. When you ordered the G80 posi, you got cast Iron, however.

That is correct. The general rule of thumb is on the 8.5 G-body rear posi's all used iron.....except the GNX. I know GNX #1 has aluminum and posi and I am assuming all GNX's are this way.

I dont have any idea how they figured the drums out on the 7.5" cars.

 

[GNVYUS 1]

Yep, my Posi had the steel ones.

I got my aluminums from a yard off some late 70's Nova for like $40 total. Seemed a tad high, but I drove the GN to get them and I think they knew what it was going on.

 

[pacecarta]

i havent tried to order them but supposedly acdelco has aluminum drums back on the books

there not cheap but they are new (if they actually have them)


aluminum drums
http://www.autopartsgiant.com
AC DELCO P#177-377

 

[MaxVO2]

That is bizarre that aluminum drums are available again after so long. Everywhere else I have seen will only sell you a set of replacements in cast iron.

There are millions of aluminum drums out there in the bone yards.. I ended up buying a set off the internet already sandblasted, turned, and ready to bolt on for much less than the cost of one of the new ones, assuming they really have them..

Good find though


Billy

 

[jsta6]

The aluminums were replaced with steel. You should not be able to order aluminum drums from the dealer. They still carry that "part number", but if you order it, you will get steel.

Most aluminum drums I got were from 3rd gen f-bodies. The aluminum has a weird chemical reaction with the steel wheel hub, and sometimes, they don't come off.

A couple of times I was able to get aluminum drums off of the four door versions of the 82(?) regal / olds cars.

It is hit or miss with the drums since most of the meat is gone from the older ones.

 

[jsta6]

I found this today, just by coincidence:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7944269077&category=33565

 

[pacecarta]

thats grumpy hes a parts whore has been for almost half a century, hes got more turbo buicks than most see at a car show, a stage 11 TTA and now has a gnx, , hes clearing out his attic stuff including his old ford stuff , those drums were probably dated 1987

 

[jsta6]

Originally posted by pacecarta
thats grumpy hes a parts whore has been for almost half a century, hes got more turbo buicks than most see at a car show, a stage 11 TTA and now has a gnx, , hes clearing out his attic stuff including his old ford stuff , those drums were probably dated 1987

I know. He is sick. I posted on the "other" board an offer for me and my family to come live with him...

 

[silverT-PA]

alum drums

i had a brand new gn in 87 and it had steel drums and a friend of mine got a we-4 one week latter from the same dealer and his had alum drums!!!!!
mike s