1965 chevelle disc brakes

[Captainps]

Just purchased a 1965 chevelle SS and want to add 4 wheel disc. What are my options??

[chevelle_chic]

is it just me or is it hard to get any chevelle advice from other users in this forum?

[Captainps]

Originally Posted by chevelle_chic

is it just me or is it hard to get any chevelle advice from other users in this forum?

own a 1967 mustang and the boards are loaded with help and quick response........ not sure bout this board.. any ideas where else to go for help

[Eli65]

You've got several options. I've set my 65 up with the "tall spindle" fronts from a 73 Buick Century. Required finding junkyard spindles, using tubular upper a-arms, machining the lower ball joint hole in spindle (some I think modify the lower a-arm to use the ball joint that fits the spindle-I wanted to stay with the original parts), can't remember if I had to machine the tie rod hole in the spindle or not. I got info just searching the web, but can point to Global West whose site had good info on which donor cars had the tall spindles. There are several kits available to switch to discs w/o going through the tall spindle swap (tall spindles are supposed to improve handling). I say supposed to because I'm many $$$ and years from getting mine together to drive. For the rear discs I went with the Stainless Steel Brake Corp setup, but there's a lot of info out there for using Cadillac or Trans Am rear calipers. Folks are selling kits and brackets, and I'm sure you can find info doing a few Google searches. I didn't want to do any fabricating on the rear so I just bought a kit. You may want to visit http://www.chevelles.com/forums/ I find that there are more Chevelle folks posting there and they have a brake conversion forum that will probably answer some questions for you-plus separate engine, electrical, trans, performance, etc. forums. Lot's of opinions floating around about master cylinders, proportioning valves, etc., I still haven't made my mind up yet...but fortunately I've got time!!

[DCarr511]

I've got a 64 Chevelle and I went with the disc brakes off of a 71 Monte Carlo and since I went with non power I used a Master Cylinder from a 70 Camaro that was set up with fr. disc, rear drum, non power.

It was a direct swap, no problems. There are also a few companies out there that sell some real nice kits for doing this. Check out teamchevelle.com for more info on those.

[mdcamaro]

I used spindals from a Nova and an HO specalities kit on the rear I used 3rd gen Camaro set up with some modifications. I picked up the whole rear with a blown ring gear for $50. I had some machine work done to my rear axel hub to get the disk to slide on. I would advise buy new axels about $250. I email photos on request.

[molhannah]

Here's your donor car list with disc brakes.
BUICK- 69-72 CENTURY, REGAL, SKYLARK, SPECIAL, GS
CHEVROLET- 69 CAMARO,
69-72 CHEVELLE, EL CAMINO, MALIBU
69-74 CHEY II, NOVA, CONCOURS
OLDS- 69-72 CUTLASS, F85, 442, VISTA CRUISER
73-74 OMEGA
PONTIAC- 69 FIREBIRD
69-72 GRAND PRIX, GTO, LEMANS, TEMPEST, GRAND AM
71-74 PHOENIX, VENTURA
GMC-69-74 SPRINT, CABALLERO

If you do this yourself you will save a lot and it's easy. All these cars have what you need to swap out the fronts. Be sure to get the spindles , rotors, calipers, backplates, master cyl., porporsioning valve and steel lines. Replace rubber hoses with new.

[Schurkey]

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref2.html
http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref3.html

That should help you on the front at least.

www.chevelles.com/forums is much more lively than this one.