Brake drum question.

[6T7 C10]

I was just cruising around rockauto.com and had this idea. (Famous last words.)

Would a finned rear brake drum from a 72 K10 work in place of the smooth brake drums I have on my drum/drum six lug 67 C10? Both are 11x2 shoes. If it does fit would the cooling fins provide any noticeable braking benefits?

-Thanks

[Steeveedee]

In a hard braking application, yes. They aren't be finned for nothing.

[jamyers]

And updates, did they fit and work?

[6T7 C10]

Thanks for asking. I ordered them but they did not work. They hit the tie rods. The ring the fins are on increased the diameter and the backspacing if you will and they hit the tie rods.

[jamyers]

Rats! Sorry they didn't work out, I was hoping (like you) to find a finned drum.

I'm surprised that after their success with finned and even aluminum drums with cast iron liners (ala early 60's Buick Rivieras), GM still went with plain drums on pickup trucks, knowing the harder life pickups had back then. Well, given GM's penchant for cheaping out on the silliest things, I'm not that surprised...