Brake Coversion
kwoods5
03-13-2008, 12:24 PM
Hey guys i'm back after a long break. Need to replace the front wheel cylinders on the car. I've replaced this cylinder about 4 times but the issue keeps reoccuring so i'm now looking into converting the front brakes to disc brakes. I'm looking for a donor car and would like to know if anyone can tell me what model cars would possible work or a list of the parts needed to do this. Looking to hunt the junk yard soon. I also have a 86 junk caprice. Does anyone know if this will work. I'm am on a low budget so the nice kits are out of the question right now.
MrPbody
03-13-2008, 02:02 PM
What kind of car are you wanting to convert? Important piece of info left out...
Jim
Jim
'97ventureowner
03-13-2008, 02:10 PM
I think it's his '65 Impala. I checked his profile and that car was listed. I know he left that info out and was going to ask if that car wasn't listed in the profile.
I have a '64 Bel Air and about 15 years ago wanted to do such a conversion. I read sme articles in either Hot Rod or Car Craft that mentioned the mid '70s GM midsized vehicles were a good choice for disc brake conversions on these cars, as their parts were plentiful and cheap. I know time has passed and the availability may have gone down somewhat but i still think these parts will be around for many years to come. wonder, however, if the same is true for the '65 full size cars as didn't they have a major changeover in design from an "X" frame to a regular full size frame we are more used to? I wonder if that had any effect on the type of vehicle you could swap with?
BTW: Here is a post from member Dennis60 in another forum about disc brake conversions on mid '60s GM Fullsizes:
"i have a 66 chevelle that i converted to front wheel power disc brakes for pennies. Info was gleaned from an article called "Knucle Sandwhich" from an old hot rod magazine. The 64-72 intermediate A bodies can be converted using the front spindle from a 70-79 camaro/firebird using existing upper/lower control arms. It changes front end geometry and improves handling. All parts are still available from gm new. Whether your vehicle falls into this category i dont know but similar procedure is no doubt possible. I have article if ur interested."
I have a '64 Bel Air and about 15 years ago wanted to do such a conversion. I read sme articles in either Hot Rod or Car Craft that mentioned the mid '70s GM midsized vehicles were a good choice for disc brake conversions on these cars, as their parts were plentiful and cheap. I know time has passed and the availability may have gone down somewhat but i still think these parts will be around for many years to come. wonder, however, if the same is true for the '65 full size cars as didn't they have a major changeover in design from an "X" frame to a regular full size frame we are more used to? I wonder if that had any effect on the type of vehicle you could swap with?
BTW: Here is a post from member Dennis60 in another forum about disc brake conversions on mid '60s GM Fullsizes:
"i have a 66 chevelle that i converted to front wheel power disc brakes for pennies. Info was gleaned from an article called "Knucle Sandwhich" from an old hot rod magazine. The 64-72 intermediate A bodies can be converted using the front spindle from a 70-79 camaro/firebird using existing upper/lower control arms. It changes front end geometry and improves handling. All parts are still available from gm new. Whether your vehicle falls into this category i dont know but similar procedure is no doubt possible. I have article if ur interested."
kwoods5
03-13-2008, 10:23 PM
Sorry, i did forget to add that information. It is a 65 impala.
MrPbody
03-14-2008, 09:19 AM
Thanks, but I can't answer the question, having too little experience with putting discs on the "big cars". The A or F body, I could help...
Jim
Jim
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