Disk Brakes for 67

[cutiger]

I need to replace all the front-end bushings, ball joints etc. on my 67 GTO. While I am at it, I am considering installing disk brakes. I don't really care if I install the original style that Pontiac sold as an option in 67 (I've heard that they don't really work that well anyway). I want something that works good and is fairly straight-forward to install. Does anyone have experience with this and can you recommend an after-market kit that has thorough instructions and is complete? Is this a big-time upgrade that takes big hammers, a welder and a saws-all? Is it worth the expense and labor (I'll be doing all of the work myself I hope).

[cutiger]

I need to replace all the front-end bushings, ball joints etc. on my 67 GTO. While I am at it, I am considering installing disk brakes. I don't really care if I install the original style that Pontiac sold as an option in 67 (I've heard that they don't really work that well anyway). I want something that works good and is fairly straight-forward to install. Does anyone have experience with this and can you recommend an after-market kit that has thorough instructions and is complete? Is this a big-time upgrade that takes big hammers, a welder and a saws-all? Is it worth the expense and labor (I'll be doing all of the work myself I hope).

[Blackcat]

Several companys offer the complete changeover. I think that PY also does. Stay away from the 67-68 dual piston calipers. They were pron to leakage. Just check your last HPP for the ads.

------------------
Gatomon
A car is cheaper than a girlfriend. Better than a wife. If it gives you trouble you can park it and forget about it!

[PLAY400]

I just picked up a complete disc brake set up (spindles, rotors, hoses, calipers, distribution box, master cylinder) from a 1970 Malibu for my 68 Firebird for about $150 US. I figure I can get replacement parts easier for a factory set-up.

As far as installation I'm also thinking that it can't be any harder than replacing the ball joints and wheel cylinders

alan

[vidguy]

half inch,
I have seen you mention this before. How would one do this? In my garage? I have even seen a site where the guy shows a picture of the spindle with a measurement. How would you do this? Do I need a MILL? How precise do I need to be? What method would work? Have you done it? Whew.. sorry... BTW, Here is the site, the guy only shows the measurement on a disc spindle but he mentions shortening the spindle rather then grinding??..
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/brakes.htm#disc_brake_spindle

Thanks....
James

[This message has been edited by vidguy (edited 12-10-2001).]

[This message has been edited by vidguy (edited 12-10-2001).]

[Half-Inch Stud]

James,

where did my post go?

The tapped Bolt Boss closest to the Upper ball Joint needs to be cut down by about 1/4".

I turely forget the precise reason why: such as to mount the Caliper bracket, or to mount the steering arm, or both.

Manual Bridgeport with endmill will cut the boss down in short work. A non-respectable shop will do it while you wait and watch, probably for $25 to $40 for both spindles.

Definitely needs to be a flat, clean cut.

Just talking about the Spindles though. You could fins Disc Sets, upon teardown realized the Spindle races are toast, AND THEN YOU will look at the Drum Spindles in a better light.

saying "Hmmmmm, these are better spindles, if I just have the boss cut back here..."

['ol Pinion head]

Yep, good drum spindles can be made into disc spindles, but really doesn't save much, if you are only doing one set & don't have your own Bridgeport. Still have come up with the short 7/8" long 15/16" head top caliper bracket to spindle bolt & nice caliper brackets. Both discontinued from GM for a long time & not very common in yards anymore. The company stamping the repro caliper brackets doesn't really want to deal on them, so forced to pay close to retail or buy used.

Not only the drum spindles have to be modified but machinist also has to cut down the available 1" long bolts to 7/8", out more machinework @ $30-40 an hour. I paid a good friend to build a proper jig to position the drum spindles properly for machining. This speeds things up...finally starting to pay for itself.

[vidguy]

H/I..
Hmm.. I think I see. The Boss that is kinda below the Spindle itself?
So, OPH, can I send you mine? How much to fix 'er up? :-) You might get some business there..There's a bunch of guys that would likely take you up on that. I'm one.

See, I've been collecting all the parts to do the drum/disc swap over the last year on my 67 GTO. Gotta do it a few bucks here a few bucks there.
I finally have everything all cleaned up and painted. And I still have my very clean Drum Spindles. One of my Disc spindles I got was beaten with a hammer to get the ball joint out. And it pushed in(kinda deformed a little bit)in the tapered inside of one of the Ball Joint "ID's". I figured that once I put the ball joint in a sucked it down with the nut it would reform ok, but I wonder. Have not tried yet. So if I could reuse one of my drum spindles, I can save a few bucks from buying another Disc part, If mine doesnt fit right.
I see good used spindles sold usually only in full pulled setups so getting just the Disc Spindle might be kinda hard. I'd be interested in finding out what it would take to reowrk mine, as I'm sure a million other guys would be too!! Since that spindle is 1 of the 2 (yep that bracket) hard to find parts that makeup the swap..
Thanks Guys!
James

[Half-Inch Stud]

Yea, it stands to reason the disc spindles will show more taper-bearing race wear than the Drum spindles.....So, we all start seeing disc spindles with galls and get ready to install, while hesitating to toss the drum spindles with pristine races.

Gots to be a batch run at OPH's soon.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Ccass, I bet PY could do a batch and add this element to the catalog of fine factory parts.

Lots of original drum cars and lots of worn disc spindles. Lots of worn disc-spindled cars and lots of drum spindles.

Hmmmm, I'd pay about xx each if I needed them again.

H.I. stud

[vidguy]

H/I -
Thats where we are at.. So OPH? Let's get that jig setup!
Merry Christmas all.
James