disc brake conv.
 

when doing a disc brake conv. would it be silly to maintain the manual system as came on my 65? i want to keep the options down as it was a virtually no option car. even no seatbelts or backup lights just 4 spd and power steering that i would like to change to manual good or bad idea?am radio but ill do a delete plate and probably a heater delete what do you think thanks

You dont want to go with the single piston master cylinder that came with the 65.

Presuming you know that and agree then consider early 70's firebirds had disc brakes as standard. Power disc brakes were an option. So look towards those applications as a starting point. My 65 lemans is a no option car. keepin it simple is the way to go. You most likely will have to special order the non power booster master cylinder as they are not that common and dont sit on the shelf at most part stores. Avoid completely any rebuild master cylinder as they are absolute junk inside. very scarry!

Some people will get upset if I suggest this but befor you buy any parts get a copy of Fred Puhn's book on brakes. It might still be in print but is generally available used. Much much valuble info for the layman.Lots of info on modifications and upgrades using off the shelf parts. 2cents please

When I upgraded to front disks on my '64 I kept manual brakes. I went with the SSBC kit and I have been very happy with it.

I also upgraded to manual discs, just make sure you use a master cylinder for manual brakes (disc front, drum rear).

We kept it manual when we switched my Dads over to front discs last summer. We used the kit from Inline Tube, and it went on smoothly.

som2002 did you use 14" rims. i was actually thinking 4 wheel disk

If you go with a 4 wheel disc set up. You may want to look at the master cylinder from the mid/late 70's full size caddy eldorado. They had the 4 wheel disc set up and could supply the fluid volume that a 4 wheel disc set requires. You will have to modify the rear of the piston to accept a longer push rod. You dont want to get a rebuilt one. Get a new one. I'm sure some will disagree but what can I say? Mine works.

There are complete bolt on kits for 4 wheel disc brakes that are both power and non power assisted. But when it comes time to replace the master cylinder down the road you dont know what application to ask for. Ask the vendor up front and you might get this "proprietary info" smack. With the caddy You just gotta wait 2-3 days for it to come in.

People are starting to run into this problem with the disc's themselves. Not all but some are having a hard time trying to find replacement disc brakes disc's when thier kit junk wears out. And again it all of the sudden becomes proprietary info. Not all but enough are deffensive about the knowlege that it should be a question asked to screen out the knowlege control freeks. Some of the disc's in some kits come out of china and wear or warp quickly. Cryogenically treating them does not help as much as it helps the disc's made in the USA or Canada.

Ask lots of questions! read a few books on the subject (Fred Puhn's). and anybody who gets deffensive, arrogant or or evasive and or promises the world will probably give you fits during the warrenty period.

I run 4 wheel discs using a manual master from a '70 GTO.

REXUS31, what is the SSBC kit and do they have a web site? Also, how is the performance with the manual disc setup?

http://www.ssbrakes.com/products/sea...ntiac/GTO/1964

The performance is fine. The car stops alot better with the front disks vs. the 4 wheel drum setup. Plus, I was able to still use stock size wheels.

Thanks for the info. I have 15X7 Rally II's. Do you think those would work with this set-up? The web page said something about not working with factory wheels.

I ran 14x7 Rally II's with their kit. I am currently running 14x7 Crager SS Mags with no problems. You should be golden with 15" rims.

"I run 4 wheel discs using a manual master from a '70 GTO"

what 70 manual MC do you use since manual 4 wheel disc were not factory?

well there you go, an entire spectrum of more or less correct answers. At least make sure the park brake works.

I use a '70 GTO master for a manual drum application. I use 4 piston Wilwood brakes on all 4 corners. Before someone chimes in this wont work, it does and it stops a 10 second car with ease.

Forgot to mention, Scarebird makes a caliper mounting kit so you can use stock type discs with a 14" rim. That's a nice option if you want to maintain a stock appearance.

tempest455 are you saying it could work with 14 x 6 steel wheels

The Scarebird brackets and stock stuff. Not the Wilwood stuff.

Oops, haven't been back to read the boards in awhile. I'm not sure what size Dad's running, but I do know they are Rally II's.

Pontirag, do you have the actual name for Fred Puhn's book on brakes? I need to find one seeing I'm doing the drum to disc conversion this summer and need all the info I can get.

I've heard good and bad on SSBC kits. I even called them once when I lived back in Northern NY on a set of discs for a 66GTO I'd found up there for a friend. Their answer was, "We only do disc kits for Mustangs". :rolleyes: What a load of horse hockey. She must have had a bad weekend. LOL

Fred Puhn (registered Professional Engineer)actually wrote two very important books. "Brake Handbook" which is all about brakes...of course. published by HP Books back in in 85. ISBN Number is: 0-89586-232-8

Another book "How to Make Your Car Handle" also published by HP Books in 1981( ISBN Number0-912656-46-8) is also a diffinitive book and should be (or have been) on everybody's shelf. it goes into grate detail about verious aspects of handling and suspension modifications. It also has a section on brakes.


Shop around as I have seen them for as little as 8 bucks and as much as 60 bucks. Anybody who is even thinking of putting disc brakes or upgrading drums should read them . They are a must read. "practical data, formulas and instructions" Glad I could help.

Im changing my 65 GTO to manual front discs right now.I just used 69-72 GTO spindles,calipers,backing plates and spindles.If I ever need to buy pads,etc.I just ask for 69 GTO.

Sorry I mentioned spindles twice.I meant rotors.

Thats really the deal. stock over the counter parts. My negative comments about sales reps attitude were no reflection on anybody specifically and nobody on this forum. Its just a heads up on how the deal can get spun out of control right after your check clears the bank. Parts counter people are as bad and worse than crooks becase they lack imagination. Its funny to watch parts people flinch when you try to buy parts for a 400 pontiac and they ask what year....1950. They can be president but parts sales?!? not the same as arsenals of democracy. You ever notice the word arse in arsenal?

Speaking of arse... let me finish by saying:
you can upgrade your ride with an enourmous combination of off the shelf (over the counter?) parts. There are vendors who will sell an almost complete bolt on kit that uses all factory and new parts and even looks factory. MP brakes, praise dyno and others including vendors right hear on this forum. Read up, do your homework and You can ask the kind of questions that will raise the red flags and separate the wheat from the shaff. Knowlege........and money are power or parted I dunno? Quize on friday!