New Source for 240Z Aluminum Brake Drums

[240zdave]

I just ordered a pair yesterday from Dean at Datsunparts dot com. He is asking $130/each, or $230/pair. He just got his first shipment of 15 pairs. Datsunparts mostly caters to Datsun Roadsters, but he has other parts as well, and apparently specializes in remanufacturing NLA Datsun parts. I will let everyone know about look and fitment after I receive them. Here's the link to his website:

http://www.datsunparts.com/2550

Be aware that he only takes orders by phone or e-mail, no shopping cart. :026:

[spawpoet]

Thanks for the 411 Dave. While we are set for now it's good to know there is a source for these again.

[CPLUCKER]

good to know

I had a guy re-line some , by making new steel liners boring out the aluminum drums to get the old steel out and shrinking the new liners in

He was charging about $200 ea. to do it , so there are a pretty good deal.

not as cheap as-ebay but not far off, I hav been paying at least $100 a pair thru e-bay

do you guys use up as fast as i do ? I sometimes can only get 3 races out of them before they start making blue hot spots then they crack right in the middle of the spots soon after they form

Chris Plucker
280z

[spawpoet]

We haven't had any sort of problem like that. We've run either Porterfield or Carbotech shoes, and are getting a full season of enduros (5-6 1.5 hour races + qual and practices) out of a set of drums before we remove them and have them turned, but have yet to have a complete failure on a drum. All of our drums are O.E. older parts. If you're in a 280, I'm sure the extra weight of the chassis would be harder on various components of your brake system, and if I remember right the rear brakes on a 280 use a different wheel cylinder, and attach a little differently. Maybe it's a bit more efficient than a 240's, and you are getting better braking/generating more heat on of your drums than we are. I know we struggle to get our shoes to wear evenly, with them commonly wearing significantly more on the inner 2/3rds of the crescent.

[240zdave]

Well, I got my new drums on Saturday, and put them on the new race car on Sunday. These are a really nice fit. I can't tell the difference between the new ones and the one set of old ones I have left. They appear to be the real deal.

[240zdave]

It looks like Motorsport Auto may be buying from the same source. They are taking preorders on aluminum drums for the same pricing as Datsunparts.com. Here's the link:

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/24-5051

[cbuczesk]

If you're in a 280, I'm sure the extra weight of the chassis would be harder on various components of your brake system, and if I remember right the rear brakes on a 280 use a different wheel cylinder, and attach a little differently. Maybe it's a bit more efficient than a 240's, and you are getting better braking/generating more heat on of your drums than we are.

The 1977-78 280Z uses a different rear brake configuration (backing plate, wheel cyl, shoes, etc.) but the drums are the same. I discovered that when I ordered new shoes for my 75 280Z and discovered that they wouldn't fit because the PO changed over to the 77-78 setup. :(

Chuck

[240zdave]

That's correct. The later model wheel cylinder has 2 pistons and pushes both shoes. The earlier Z''s wheel cylinder had a single piston, and pushed on the one active shoe, tightening the static shoe as it got tighter. The later setup will give you better braking, which we are sorely lacking compared to our competitors with 4 wheel disks.

[CPLUCKER]

2 pistons might work a bit better, but still does not work good.

my extra 200 lbs I am sure does not help the situation. My fronts seem to work good with 2 3" duct, but I really have a problem with the rear drums.

I am excited that we can buy drums again, I was tired of bidding on used drums on e-bay.

Thanks
Plucker