[dracowizard]

Hope i can get some leads/input from some of you guys out there who may have done a brake conversion to an early goats.I plan to convert my 65 Clne to powerbrakes,Disc/Drum setup.It is currently a standard drum setup.While i know basically the spindles,caliper and proportioning valve i can use.I am uncertain of other sensors or other mods i may not be aware of for a proper setup.Any leads or help would be appreciated.Thanks...

[dracowizard]

Hope i can get some leads/input from some of you guys out there who may have done a brake conversion to an early goats.I plan to convert my 65 Clne to powerbrakes,Disc/Drum setup.It is currently a standard drum setup.While i know basically the spindles,caliper and proportioning valve i can use.I am uncertain of other sensors or other mods i may not be aware of for a proper setup.Any leads or help would be appreciated.Thanks...

[RayJ]

You will need to get the smaller diameter power booster that was used on the 64-65's. The larger ones interfere with the inner fender.

[dracowizard]

Ray...appreciate that fact...i suppose you prob mean the 9" Dia one?Every tip helps..

[RayJ]

Yes, the 9 inch one. You will notice that even though the 9 inch booster is used, there is still a small indentation in the left inner fender for clearance. I was able to get a used A body system (71 Monte Carlo) including backing plates, spindles, rotors, calipers, prop valve, booster, master cylinder, and brake lines down to the prop valve for $350. I was able to turn the rotors and use the master cylinder as a core for a rebuilt one. I had the booster rebuilt and plated. Other guys have been more in favor of buying a new system, but they cost about $900-$1000. I recently posted a pic of how my proportioning valve is mounted. See "Brake System Question" by Bulldog on page 2 of this forum section.

[RayJ]

Clarification...I did have to separately buy the smaller booster which cost about $35.

[mike nixon]

i think a booster from a 81-7 g-body will work, check the dimensions. as a side note. be sure to use the push rod [runs from the booster to the master] for the disc booster. the one in my car with the drums was about an inch too long

what i used was a 71 skylark, spindle / rotor / caliper donor system with the oem 65 booster.

the prop valve / master cyl came from a 74-7 g/p.

i ran the lines similar to the g/p's and made a bracket that mounted to the frame and placed the prop valve below the booster asm. i chose to mount the prop valve in this location to gain clearance for the headers that are on the car now.

hoses are for a 69-72 a-body with the drum hose mounting brackets flipped over and modified to fit the disc hoses.

i had to "adjust" the drum lines to fit the brackets and bent a new one for the lf as it was only 12" long or so.

visually this should allow for a z-bar to mounted in the oem location [ with oem frame bracket] if i choose to put a 4spd in the car.

my car is raised in the rear and as an fyi the rear hose was stretched tight and was not allowing the system to be bled. i think a 68-72 hose is longer than the 65 units but i wanted to get the system on that day [time] so i modified a front drum hose to fit in the rear and gained a little over an inch which was enough to loosen up the hose for my application with the diff fully dropped.

i've not driven the car yet as the doghouse is off of it but the pedal is good and the brakes have to better than the drums were.

hope this helps,

mike

[dracowizard]

RayJ thanks so much for the info...i need to go look at your pics so as to get some idea of doing this setup.I have hopes of acquiring many of the parts from older cars myself.I have my eye on a 72 Skylark in a local Junkyard here which would be good for spindles/Calipers.However i know of someone who may have a 69 nova i may get parts from.I'm tryiong to be patient so as to find parts cheaper.Sometimes you can...other times maybe not,but i gotta try!

[dracowizard]

Great Tips Mike! Since my project involves pretty much a frame off and use of a 66 GTO frame..i'll be making all new lines(whew!)I too will be going with a 4sp,so fit will be important.Thanks alot for helping..!

[dracowizard]

Mike..something i forgot to mention...since i need to get the booster..maybe getting the matching master cly bought at the same time would be good,providing it's a twin reservoir...what you think?