Hey , New to this board, but in reading the past posts, I might have some info. for anyone wanting to put disc brakes on a 50's buick. I'm working on a 55 Special and decided, as many have, that the brakes left something to be desired. Not wanting to sub frame the car, I decided to fabricate a caliper mounting bracket and adapt a later model disc brake to the front. After some trial and error, and parts research, I made a bracket that adapts a later model caliper and rotor (available at NAPA) to the existing spindle. There is some modest machining to be done, but nothing terrible. I have driven the car, although a limited distance, and the brakes seem to work great. I did put in a new power booster and master cylinder (original mounting place, just had to make a new bracket to accept the booster, extend the plunger rod, add a proportioning and check valves, etc.). Car is having the body work done as we speak, and I was going to wait to see how extended road miles affected the brake setup this summer before passing on this info., in case something fails ! But after seeing some discussion about this , I thought I'd let you know that it can be done with a modest amount of work. If successful, I have thought about marketing the bracket and kit but I need to know if the spindle size and bolt arrangement is the same on a number of years, or only the 55 ? Any ideas on what years the spindle remained the same ? You can PM me if you like. Pappy
disc brakes Hi Pappy, Could you make up a complete list of the part you used, scrapped, machined (including measurements of original and after machining), etc... Perhaps you have some pictures as well. This would surely help a lot. Thanks! Peter.
kick butt I had been working on this with a limited budget and even more limited use of a buddies cutting torch. I was close but I guess you got it first. Please post all!!!! I'd like to hear more about it.
Here's the info on the brake setup. Can't seem to post a pict., so if your'e interested PM me your e-mail adress and I'll send it to you. Make your caliper bracket fit tight around the spindle shoulder, tap the holes in the caliper mounting legs to accept the caliper bolts. Use mid 70's Cadillac Eldorado calipers/rotors. Rotor has 5 on 5 bolt spacing. Some machining required to allow the rotor to slide over the hub. Use the original hub removed from the front brake drum. I replaced the wheel bolts with wheel studs to allow aftermarket rims and better rotor positioning. I upgraded to a Corvette master cylinder and small booster, made a bracket to move the new master back further in the frame. Lengthened the plunger rod to fit. Remember to add a proportioning valve and residual valves in the brake lines. Good luck ! Pappy
