Tim, get a catalog every time you can for reference and cross reference for parts. Best one to get for your car is www.macsautoparts.com . a bit of advice was given to you. when you go to get parts take the old one with you. That way you have proof of what you need. Many times parts people are hired because they need a job or the company needs an employee and thus the knowledge goes out the window at your expense. Or just post somthing here and I am sure you will get an answer soon.  

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Mark informed me that they used that cam style front brake in 1954 and that my back brakes are not as wide as the front. I got 161 for the back and I need 55d which I ordered today. I do not know what I would do without this forum everyone is very helpful and I am thank ful for it.

The brakes I took off were 1 and 3 quarter wide and they gave me 2 inch wide thanks for the replies

Hello Timmy,The shoes should be R-55 or B-55 and are 11x2 inch.The other choice is wagon are wider.The ones u need are 11x2.If the old ones are less than 2 wide someone put wrong shoes on.If the ones u bought are more than 2 wide they are wrong.Let us know the outcome.Mark

  

Timmy,

 Either take the old brake shoes with you or the drums when you go back. On many years (not sure about '55) the wagons, police cars and Taxi cabs used bigger or wider shoes. Might even be a difference from six cylinder to V8.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I bought rear brakes from napa and I told them it was a custom line and the brakes they gave me are a quarter inch wider than the old shoes I took off. Did they make 2 different sizes for the sedan's in 1955?