Part help for a 66

[slipknot_me]

I have a 66 Malibu with drum brakes (still) and I have managed to break off a wheel stud on the rt front on two occasions. How twice? You ask. Well I was dumb enough to replaced the broke stud when it happened the first time and kept driving it while I waited on new suspension parts to come in. The second time that one broke off it wollowed out the hole in the hub and now a new stud wont press in tightly. I havn't had much luck in finding a replacement hub for it. So I was thinking that if any of you guys that have upgraded to pwr disc brakes up front and still have your old front hubs laying around that will fit mt year. I will gladly pay you a fair price for one.

Keith

[highlandlake]

Hello Keith,

Although I don't have any hubs, I have a suggestion. It's possible that the front brakes on your '66 were shared with the Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick cars made in 1966 and 1967. So there may be more options for finding a donor vehicle to plunder from. And I think you've got the right idea to inquire with folks who have done disk conversions. Last year I did one, and then chucked out the front spindle/drum assemblies this spring. They were taking up room, were nasty in condition, and made a satisfying crash noise when they went in the metal recycling dumpster. Some people keep stuff longer than I do.
My recommendation is to search on Chevelles.com classifieds for one. You can place a wanted ad too. Really good responses from the guys there. And you can check out the Brake & Suspension forum (archive too) to determine what will interchange with your car - I've seen various informative links posted. Good luck, I know you'll find one. Now a question...are you keeping the drum brakes because the car is otherwise 100% original, or do you have the 6 cylinder or small block up front and heavy braking isn't necessary? Tom

[slipknot_me]

Thanks for the help Tom. I will search for something that will interchange. That should make the odds a little more favorable. Actually I have a 396 under the hood. I would like to eventually convert to pwr disc up front but need to save up some more pennies. (The Mrs frowns at me everytime I spend money on the car and not on getting her a/c fixed). One thing that I did wonder about was how much vaccuum is required to run the booster? I have read that engines with big cams don't provide enough to run disc brakes without some sort of vac pump. I have .544 lift and if I remember correctly 230 something duration. I guess thats a little big for the street but the car is not a daily driver and runs pretty good.

Keith

[highlandlake]

Originally Posted by slipknot_me

(The Mrs frowns at me everytime I spend money on the car and not on getting her a/c fixed).
Keith

Here's a plan....pick up a R-134A recharge kit from the auto parts store. $25 or so. Park at the local scenic vantage point for watching hot body lady joggers go by, hook up the kit and start the engine. Takes about 1/2 or so to empty a can. Perfect amount of time to thumb through the Summit Racing catalog in between scenery events. Then go on and on about how difficult and expensive it was to fix the A/C.

As for vacuum amounts (how much/how little) I hope someone else can chime in on that. I haven't figured it out myself. My Comp cam/Holley 750 on the 396 will cause a sudden drop in idle when braking hard. Even steady braking is OK. Sometimes the car will stall. I get as little as 7" hg at idle - zooms up to 14-18 on high rev in park. I have a power booster from a Buick GS 455 - learned that bigger isn't always better.

[slipknot_me]

I like your way of thinking Tom. We are leaving for Myrtle Beach in the morning and I charged up her A/C for the road. You have convinced me to take my recharge kit with us just in case it gets too hot. I'm sure theres a leak somewhere.

I have about the same vac at idle. If I find out anything I'll let you know.

Keith