✅ SOLVED Old Brake Drum? Water Pump? No Idea!

FreeBirdTim

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Sep 24, 2013
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Found a couple of old auto parts in the woods today. Here's the first one. Is it a brake drum? Water pump? Guesses?

brake drum.JPGbrake drum back.JPG
 

Need to know the size? It looks like a very early (transition from spokes to steel rim) rear hub. Tony
 

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With a spot for for a keyway doesn't seem like it would be a brake drum that seems like you would be breaking keyway every time you hit the brakes it looks water related as the inside has impeller blades to cause water movement or liquid of some sort.
 

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Yes, the impeller made me think it might be part of a water pump. I think I'll go back and drag it home! That way I can measure it and take better photos.
 

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Need to know the size? It looks like a very early (transition from spokes to steel rim) rear hub

Never thought of that possibility. It was very large, probably a good 14 inches in diameter (or more).
 

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Part of a blower fan for blacksmith forge ?
 

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311405615_1 vw brake drum.jpg

Or it could be an early VW brake drum.

THis one is called a pin wheel and is quite early and rare. Go get it. Take it to a machine shop and see if it is still turnable. If it is good it is worth 100 - 150 and you can have it turned for $15 This also has traceable casting numbers so you can date your dump site. Did not know that this post was related to your other Tim
 

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FYI the picture is a front drum and yours is a rear drum Thus the diferences
 

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A sure sign that isn't a brake drum is that it has a keyway, no way will a brake system use a shear for protection.

Blue... this is called a shear pin key way. It is designed to shear off in a bind before the motor severely damaged. This is commonly used on flywheels, pulleys, and other direct drive components.
Red... this is where a pulley could be mounted (like on a clutch fan, water pump, etc.
Green... I don't see how this would drive a flat belt being that the Red is for mounting a pulley.
Yellow... these are cooling fins.
Baby Blue... this is where s dust or oil seal went.
 

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Hi Ant,
THis is an early rear vw brake drum and they used a key. The pin wheel "fan shape" was added for strength. Look it up!
They went to a spline later because the key would shear.

Cheers
 

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That key has nothing to do with brakes...the drum is bolted to the wheel, not transferred through the keyway.


Sent from a empty soda can!
 

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The axle had a key slot and key, king nut and cotter pin. Tony
Hi Ant,
THis is an early rear vw brake drum and they used a key. The pin wheel "fan shape" was added for strength. Look it up!
They went to a spline later because the key would shear.

Cheers
 

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Okay, guys, here's more pictures and info. I dragged it up the hill and took it home. Very heavy! It's 13 1/4" in diameter and the outer edge is 2 3/4". I'm not guessing what it is because I have no clue now! Help!

flywheel.JPGflywheel 2.JPGflywheel 3.JPG
 

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