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Topic: what size are the drums (Read 928 times) previous topic - next topic

what size are the drums

son has an 88tbird sport

he is on the way home now and is stopping to buy parts.

what size are the drums?
9 or 10''

what size are the drums

Reply #1
Finnd are 9", 10" are flat. You will need to do a visual check, some sports had either one.

Same with cars with a towing package.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com


what size are the drums

Reply #3
3 of 4 of my v- cars had the 10" drums.

My 86 gs had 10" as did my other 86 ls cougar. My first 87 5.0 bird I can't remember and my last 87 bird for sure did. This 87 5.0 bird is actually the first I've seen without 10" drums. I know that's abnormal though from what I've seen in the junkyards. A lot of 88's had 10" drums, especially the xr7 cougars. Most of the 87's I've seen did not.

All of my v-6's (all 87's believe it or not) had the 9".
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

what size are the drums

Reply #4
Pretty sure most if not all the '87 5.0 cars had 9" drums, unless they had the "tow package".

OTOH, pretty sure ALL the '88 Sport/XR7 had the 10 inch drums, and as well as some late '88 XR7 also having the 8.8, again with the bigger drum brakes.

Scott...if he has the 10 drums, he can convert to 5 lug, using '94-98 Stang axles, the stock 10" drum backing plates, and using 1988 Crown Vic/Grand marquis drums. Use the stock 1988 Sport Tbird drum brake shoes. You may or may not need to space the drums off off of the hub with a 1/16" flat washer on each lug stud on the hub, but under the drum. I did, no more contact. See my thread here for details :)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

what size are the drums

Reply #5
nice info there,
i will have mason read this later today, he is wanting to go 5lug disc for the rear though.... i know it looks better.

i need to post some pics of some calipers i have here (2) that have two pistons in them each, not sure what they are for but they came in the trunk with the car along with a rear gear made in italy.

what size are the drums

Reply #6
Mason's 88Bird sport = 10'' (smooth drum)
My 87 20th coug= 10'' (has tow package
My 87 coug LS = 9'' *(ribbed drum)

what size are the drums

Reply #7
My base '88 5.0 had 10" drums, and so did my '87 Sport. I thought all Sports had the big drums...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

what size are the drums

Reply #8
Quote from: jcassity;411943
Mason's 88Bird sport = 10'' (smooth drum)
My 87 20th coug= 10'' (has tow package
My 87 coug LS = 9'' *(ribbed drum)
Tow package trailer lights circuit could be another suspect in the left turn/brake lights to parking lights mystery.