So I am trying to decide which way to go on my car. I am getting upgrade happy which is dangerous enough, so I need some level headed help. I am undecided on if I want to just upgrade to a Dual Master Cylinder and keep the drum brakes all the way around and possibly try to locate some aluminum drums for the front and rear... OR to do a Front Disc Conversion and leave the rear alone. I am staying with the 14" Buick Road Wheels, so I can't go crazy on the disc brakes up front. Would have to be a stock like conversion. The wheels that I have to use currently are '68 wheels which should be a 4.375" backspace that was used on '69 disc brake cars. That being the case they should work. If I do go with the Disc Brakes then I would have to stay with '68-'69 or later wheels to clear them, since '66 wheels have a 4.5" backspace. I am just unsure of which way to go. I hear by switching to aluminum drums that they are superior to the disc brakes. They stop better and due to the aluminum they dissipate heat well. Only issue on the other hand is drums aren't always the best when wet in those chances that I get stuck out with the car in the rain. So I ask you guys who have done it and gone through this similar dilemma. Which route would you go? And who is the better place to get the stuff from. Two places I have been looking at so far are Inline Tube and The Right Stuff. Inline Tube has a much better website information wise. But I have seen a lot of people recommend The Right Stuff. Any and all help is greatly apprecaited!
In case you decide to go with original disc brakes,I have a set from a 69 GS that comes with almost everything you need.Bruno.
I redid my drum brakes on the Wagon and IMHO they feel great, stop as well as my 70 with disc front brakes. no conversions in my garage- all drums stay drums. http://www.musclecarbrakes.com/inner.html
In terms of performance I don't think drums are superior that said I really did not have any complaints about my front aluminum drum brakes...except for when they got wet. From a maintenance perspective I think disc are easier. If the fear of installation is not a factor, the likely driving conditions you see yourself and maintenance then go disc. Put aluminum drums out back. If you see that you do not want to get into the conversion even after changing the master then stick with drums. From a long term perspective I believe you have plenty of disc brake maintenance options. I went the disc route.
Ted - Which kit did you go with on your car? I kinda feel the same way as far as drums staying drums and that is why I am torn about what to do. Not real concerned about getting caught in the rain cause it should rarely happen and I always take it easy in the rain anyway. I had not seen the MCB site before. Sounds pretty interesting. Anyone else have any experience with MCB products?
