Question about aluminum drums ?

[RobM]

I found a guy on craigslist that's selling $150 pair aluminum drums off a '86 Buick. G-body.
I'm waiting for pics so I can see them as well as post them so I can get other opinions.
Thanks, Rob

My questions are,
How much are they normally going for?
What should I look for (normal wear & tear) ?
Are they worth the money?

 

[565bbchevy]

You can get new reproduction aluminum brake drums, I know Gbodyparts sells them http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1423
Depending on your reason for wanting these, I personally would go with a new good quality cast iron drums or upgrade to a rear disc set up.

 

[L92 OLDS]

My questions are,
How much are they normally going for?
What should I look for (normal wear & tear) ?
Are they worth the money?

How much are they normally going for? - I have sold several sets for anywhere from $120-$150
What should I look for (normal wear & tear) ? - The not to exceed, minimum inside drum diameter value is cast into the drum but many guys run them beyond the recommended value with no issues. Look for pitting and abnormal wear on the pad contact surfaces. The drums are aluminum but steel linings so they can rust and get ugly.
Are they worth the money? In my opinion yes. Anytime you can reduce unsprung weight it is a good thing. Aluminum drums will also reduce rotating mass which is a big deal. Some say reducing rotating mass by 10 lbs is equivalent to removing 100lbs from the car.

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-for...ns-the-real-effect-of-rotating-weight.789990/

 

[L67ss]

Yeah for the money you can get a complete blazer rear disc setup with cash to spare

 

[Streetbu]

Unless you want them because they are rare, they aren't worth $150 IMO. I have a set on my car, but because they've been on it since I bought it in 1994. No other reason. BTW, they also came on Camaro's for several years from 82-86

 

[pagrunt]

I got lucky on my set afew years back, $50, I had the braking surface checked & a lite cut on the machine to make sure all is good. Mine still have a ton of life still in them.

 

[UNGN]

Check the drum linings close for cracks. They also space the wheels out about 1/8" which helps with frame clearance with zero offset wheels and 275mm rear tires.

 

[565bbchevy]

I'm waiting for pics so I can see them as well as post them so I can get other opinions.

Hopefully these are something that you can check out and verify in person before buying and not something you would be buying based solely off pictures and have shipped to you.

 

[403Olds]

Put me in the same camp as the others. I've got them, found them cheap years ago. They are neat and lighter, and with the S10 manual wheel cylinders braking is good. Not sure about $150, that's alot of money for a little weight savings. I think the discs are heavier and really don't help with the braking...IMO

 

[L67ss]

Put me in the same camp as the others. I've got them, found them cheap years ago. They are neat and lighter, and with the S10 manual wheel cylinders braking is good. Not sure about $150, that's alot of money for a little weight savings. I think the discs are heavier and really don't help with the braking...IMO

I've actually compared stock for stock on a zq8 s10 and a reg s10 extreme. I preferred the zq8