Yes, I've looked a tons of threads about putting disc brakes on the '64-72 A body cars here. No, I can't afford an aftermarket system. Yes, I'm keeping my 14" rally wheels. Yes, I'm working with a severely restricted budget. So what are my best options for scamming the needed parts off something newer? I've read so many different posts about the G-body brakes being too small, S-10 brakes needing 15" wheels, and so on that I'm really confused. My 300 is a new stock rebuild with the exception of me adding a 4bbl & intake. I'm not building a race car, I'm building a car I can drive on the street and highway and have reliable stopping power. I have power brakes but only a single tank master cylinder which I know won't work with discs. You may be wondering why I want to go through the hassle and cost of the upgrade? I've asked myself that many times over the last five or so years that I've been restoring the car. My answer is reliability and I HATE working on drum brakes. From what I remember of my previous 60's era cars the drum brakes never stopped the cars all that well either. So the question is, am I trying to talk myself in or out of the conversion? I don't know, I need some solid, up to date information I guess. There aren't any 65-72 cars left around here that I've been able to find to get parts off, they've all been restored or gone to the crushers. I also like the idea of not having such a severe camber when turning on the stock parts. Yeah, I like curvy roads too. So where do I go from here?
Personally i would look for an old rotted junker laying around, they are still there but harder to find. IMO the price on the kits i have looked at had decent prices for everything you get and not only is it new but you it will fit, this is the way i plan to go. Brakes are not something to go cheap on IMO.
This is the kit i was referring to but i remember it being $50 cheaper last i checked it. Still not a bad deal IMO for what you get. http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/630010/10002/-1?parentProductId= Some of these parts you can get right from a parts house even cheaper i am sure, maybe other items like the dust shields, spindles and brackets you can get elsewhere like OPGI? My car already has working power drum brakes so this is the kit i am aiming to purchase: http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/630000/10002/-1?parentProductId=
PM's sent to Jim and woochuck about brake kits. Buy the time you find and recondition the 40+ year old parts I think you will find it less costly to buy a new kit. Steve
to me this is no place to cut corners.Get in a panicked stop and end up on your top.The Right Stuff is very reasonable and TEST TEST TEST this is my 65 with conversion
The parts in this kit are all stock replacement interchangable and WILL fit with 14" Buick wheels. Again, the kits being sold ALL come from the same place, and that's where mine come from as well.
My 2 cents: I find that drum brakes are fine for the street. If you are on a budget just recondition the brakes, adjust them correctly and off you go for the next 20,000 miles. Disc brakes are the best option when you have repeated hard stops from high speed which would cause drums to fade. For the street, drums are OK. I'm sure there are better places to spend your $! Again - my opinion! Another option is the Scarebird kit which will reduce your costs greatly. Do a search here and at: https://scarebird.com/ - Bill
