Hey everybody, new to the forums here, but joined because I wanted some insight and to see if anyone has done what I'm trying to do, and to see where they got the parts, etc. I have a 1956 Buick Century 2-door hardtop, and I want to convert the front to disc brakes. I've found a couple of kits for 55-57 Chevrolets, but I'm not sure if that will work. There isn't much out there listed specifically for the 56 Century. Everything costs more, and doesn't include a master cylinder. I'm not building this thing to be a performance car, just a Sunday drive-type of car. What has everybody used? How much did it cost and what do you think about the quality? Furthermore, is the master cylinder a big of a pain in the butt as it looks like it's going to be? Just looking for suggestions from those who have done this conversion. It needs a master cylinder regardless, and if I'm going to replace it, I'm going to go ahead and get the conversion over with. It doesn't look like something I want to do twice, if you know what I mean.
I feel your pain. I'm trying to figure out what i'm going to do with a 61'. I found this for you... http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Br...Buick&model=Century&option=All&axle=Front+Kit I've talked with their tech department a few times trying to figure out what to do and they've been very helpful. One thing they told me that i would have missed is that if you're going to change the master cylinder and leave the rear drums, you have to plumb in a 10 pound residual valve after the proportioning valve in the line to the rears. It's only $12 but I wouldn't have known to do it. Scarebird is a nice option, but it's not as cheap of a solution as it used to be. I priced it out on my car and i was around $500 before the master. Here's for yours... https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=57 My car is coming out of storage soon and I'll post up pictures of what i end up with later.
I checked out Scarebird, but really all I saw that they offer is brackets, and that's about it - and pretty pricey to boot. I've found a bunch of complete kits for other cars in the $400-$500 range that include everything, including the m/c. The Wilwood kit looks nice, but is $700 without a m/c.
Is 56 different from 55 special or century? I just posted about a 56 and earlier disc set from Portland Oregon Craigslist in there today. Look it up.
To the OP ... did you ever do your conversion? I don't see where you ever responded after you checked out the scarebirds. I chose to go with the full conversion kit from Wilwood purchased from Summit Racing. I'm in the middle right now but I wondered how your's came out. Oh,, the Wilwood kit does include '56. Not pictured are the braided brake lines the run to the calipers and the Wilwood proportioning valve. All in will be around $850? I had to stop for a family visit but I should have it buttoned up next week and I'll post some more pictures.
