Making drum brakes self adjusting

[RussK]

I know most of the people here are true authentic diehards. They believe it is just wrong if any thing isn’t original.
With saying that, I want every body to know I am trying to get my 46
as close to original as possible.
But here is my question;
I have to redo the front brakes on my caddy
Missing are the front shoes, springs, adjusters, hold downs.
Is there a shoe, adjuster kit, spring kit that will not only fix my brakes but also make them self adjusting?
And can I find them at a local parts store?
There has got to be a easy way of doing this
Thanks Russk

[gene harl]

If you are interested and if they will work,,, I have the complete brake ass. from the backing plate out drums shoes and all from my 51 cad ....Gene Harl ,, Fallon ,Nv.CLC22406 ..... rgeneharlemail addresses not permitted

[Dan LeBlanc]

I believe the first year for self adjusters was 1961 (maybe 1960). 

[bcroe]

I once tried to put 63 self adjusters on my 62, but they kept
adjusting too tight.  I didn't try to figure them out, just removed. 
Bruce Roe

[Walter Youshock]

1960 was the first year for self-adjusting brakes.  I'd like to do this with my '57 as well.  Honestly, I'm surprised when self-adjusting brakes were introduced that there wasn't a retro-fit kit for earlier cars.  A lot probably has to do with the design and clearance of the drums. 

If you figure it out, I'd be interested how you did it.

[Glen]

I once tried to put 63 self adjusters on my 62, but they kept
adjusting too tight.  I didn't try to figure them out, just removed. 
Bruce Roe

My 61 CDV also had a problem with the brakes adjusting too tight.  They were just barely dragging on the drum.  I checked the shop manual but never found a way to adjust the adjusters. 

So after looking it over I figured out that if you bend the adjusting pawl out away form the star wheel it would loosen up the brakes a bit.  It seemed to work OK. 

[RussK]

I think I have all that I need; I can post pics and part #s for any one
interested in doing the same.
I do want to try them out first and make sure they work properly,
so I will keep you all posted
Almost all new from a local parts store, some used,
and less than $50.00 for all of it (all 4 wheels)

[gary griffin]

I am just about ready to do my brake rebuild and would sure consider this modification. When will you be ready to post it?

[RussK]

I am going to try this weekend; I would like to have them done before I go out of town next week for our 10th year anniversary
She might get mad if I cancel or postpone it to work on the caddy

[RussK]

The shoes are AutoZone 197 and adjuster kits are from a 66-70 Buick ,
I did have to modify the upper portion of the shoes to account for an anchor pin being a little closer to the center. I will post on how they hold

before and after cleaning

[curly]

Looking at the picture, it looks like you have both secondary brake shoes on the same side. I am assuming that the 46 has self energizing brakes, with primary and secondary shoes.   Looking at the Autozone website, it looks like the shoes are different.

T Lewis

[RussK]

You are right, good eye.
I was check fitting things when I took this pic.
I later installed the primary shoe on the leading side