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Drum to Disk conversion
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   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Brakes, Wheels and TiresMessage format
 
motorobo
Posted 2017-08-16 9:36 PM (#546373)
Subject: Drum to Disk conversion


Member

Posts: 8

Hello,

Anyone converted from drums to disk brakes? How difficult was it and did you think it was worth the cost / effort? My brakes are working fine but I always have the concern in the back of my mind with the small single brake master cylinder....

Thanks Ryan
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Mopar1
Posted 2017-08-17 1:05 PM (#546412 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion



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Location: N.W. Fla.
What car? I converted my '60 Plym using '77 NYer disc spindles. Also added a dual M/C that bolted on the same as the original did.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2017-08-17 2:23 PM (#546415 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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AAJ or Scarebird are options, search on those.
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BigBlockMopar
Posted 2017-08-17 3:40 PM (#546420 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion



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Posts: 3575
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Location: Netherlands
You can always install a dual Mc if you find that makes your car safer.
Regular checks and proper maintainance goes a long way in preventing issues with single master cylinder brake systems.

That said, I've 'upgraded' most of my cars with 1973 Chrysler disc rotors and calipers, b-body brackets and adapter plates.

My '60 NY, '62 NY, '65 300 and '73 Dart all use stock '73 Chrysler disc brakes and parts, exect for the homemade adapter plates to mount the caliperbrackets to the spindles.
Here's a post on my site where I converted to discs on my '62 Chrysler NewYorker wagon.
https://www.bigblockmopar.nl/2010/01/1962-chrysler-wagon-discbrake-c...

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57chizler
Posted 2017-08-17 4:50 PM (#546427 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: RE: Drum to Disk conversion



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Location: NorCal

If the single pot MC is your only concern, it can be swapped to a tandem MC and keep the existing brakes.

Disc brake swaps are a separate issue and I believe Scarebird is the best bang for the buck.

https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=64
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mikes2nd
Posted 2017-08-17 6:40 PM (#546437 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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I went with scarebird, but youll need to go to 15 inch rims, and most stock hubcaps are 14 inch.

It was a very easy install and looks great and super strong.

if you are doing the stock 14 inch go with AAJ, its 75$ more but not that bad.


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motorobo
Posted 2017-08-17 7:29 PM (#546438 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


Member

Posts: 8

Thanks for the reply's, its for a 1956 Dodge Royal Lancer. Was interested in how much work it truly is and if its worth it. thanks for the links.

Ryan
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51coronet
Posted 2017-08-19 1:15 AM (#546516 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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Posts: 360
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Hemis are harder due to clearance if you are changing the master cylinder to a dual. Wedge type engine bays have plenty of room
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cjm88
Posted 2017-08-21 11:39 PM (#546718 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


Member

Posts: 11

I just converted front to disc on a 59 royal lancer, went with AAJ kit so i could retain the factory 14s and hub caps. super easy install, took a couple hours start to finish. I ordered the brackets from AAJ and bought rest of parts local, for the conversion bracket and brakes im like $500CDN+/- i think, could have saved some money but i went with all top brand components. Went with an E-body 8" master/booster setup with bracket from right stuff detailing, bolted in nicely with plenty of clearance, that was another $300CDN+/- shipped. As for how it works, i cant say as the car is still on stands waiting for the rear end to go in.
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rockerarm
Posted 2017-08-28 10:01 AM (#547181 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: RE: Drum to Disk conversion



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Location: ALABAMA, HEART OF DIXIE

I've considered converting my 61 Fury to front discs. My concern is maintaining the 14" wheels and if

my original power brake booster will sufficant.

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mikes2nd
Posted 2017-08-28 10:22 AM (#547183 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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AAJ brakes are your real option.
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Beltran
Posted 2017-08-28 8:33 PM (#547222 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion



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Location: Michigan
I did mine with AAJ. I posted the entire process on the forums. Look for my post in the search features. It has a lot of pictures and instructions.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-09-01 2:38 PM (#547525 - in reply to #547222)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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Posts: 667
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Location: Frederick, MD
I used Scarebird on my '55 Plymouth Plaza wagon. Everything was easy as could be except the spindle nut. I had to file the grooves deeper to get the cotter pin through. No big deal though. Probably less than an hour to do both sides. I used a '70s Mopar manual disc brake master cylinder and a proportioning valve for a '70 AAR 'cuda I got from therammaninc.com. I made up all new hard lines. At first I used regular 3/16" steel lines, but switched to the copper-nickel brake tubing. Wish I'd started with that.



(Plaza brake disc installed.jpg)



(Plaza brake distribution valve and lines.jpg)



(Plaza castle nut modification.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza brake disc installed.jpg (110KB - 215 downloads)
Attachments Plaza brake distribution valve and lines.jpg (128KB - 246 downloads)
Attachments Plaza castle nut modification.jpg (72KB - 214 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2017-09-01 6:47 PM (#547547 - in reply to #547181)
Subject: RE: Drum to Disk conversion



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rockerarm - 2017-08-28 7:01 AM

I've considered converting my 61 Fury to front discs. My concern is maintaining the 14" wheels and if

my original power brake booster will sufficant.



Yes, AAJ is the best option for 14" wheels. You original power booster works great for these disc kits. That is what I am using on my '58 DeSoto and it stops excellent.
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hemidenis
Posted 2017-09-01 11:14 PM (#547559 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion



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Location: Northen Virginia
I contacted Scarebird by phone for the possibility to do a dual caliper set up and they weren't very interested. With this set up we could use the original rims and hubcaps. As it is right now, you need a new set of rims and tires for 15" rim adaptation using this kit which it is not a cheap option.

Edited by hemidenis 2017-09-02 12:34 AM
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Greg P.
Posted 2017-09-06 4:04 PM (#547853 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: RE: Drum to Disk conversion



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Posts: 769
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Location: Oley, PA
Has anyone tried the SSBC kit? The thing that appeals to me is that for one price, this kit seems to include all the parts I'd need, including the master cylinder, with no need to source additional parts. They claim it works with 14" wheels, which is good too.

http://ssbrakes.com/i-10092992-1957-1962mopar-front-4-piston-power-...

I watched this video of an installation on a 1967 Chrysler and I was impressed at how easy it looked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfsm9Cs_sWY

The kit only goes back as far as 1957, so it wouldn't be much help to the original poster with his 56, but I'm curious if any of us has used this kit.



(SSBC Kit F141116864.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments SSBC Kit F141116864.jpg (47KB - 243 downloads)
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51coronet
Posted 2017-09-13 9:04 PM (#548312 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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Posts: 360
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71 charger fan, I am concerned about your plumbing at your combo valve. Something doesn't look right unless you are using a single port master cylinder?
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-09-13 9:26 PM (#548314 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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Posts: 667
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Location: Frederick, MD
It looks off because the line from the front-brake port (rearmost port) into the combo valve got cut out of the photo. It comes in at the top of the combo valve at the green fitting that's partially visible in the photo.
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Powerflite
Posted 2017-09-13 11:15 PM (#548326 - in reply to #548314)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion



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Location: So. Cal
It looks fine, but why didn't you use the second outlet port on the combo valve instead of splitting one side to a distribution block? Also, what diameter rotor does the Scrarebird kit use? Is that from a '71 Ford Galaxy like on the '57-up conversions?

Edited by Powerflite 2017-09-13 11:18 PM
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-09-14 7:35 AM (#548339 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
The distribution block came as part of the assembly and the two were already plumbed together. That was the only hard line I didn't have to make. The front rotors are Ford Probe and the calipers are Chevy S10 4WD pieces. I don't know off hand what diameter the rotors are. I did have to massage a few high spots on the insides of the wheels to eliminate slight interference with the calipers.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-09-14 8:45 AM (#548346 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I went back into my Rockauto order history and found that I used Wagner BD125274E rotors. The site doesn't list the diameter for this rotor, but checking other make/model rotors that cross reference to this, they show 258mm/10.16" diameter.
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1961plymouthfury
Posted 2017-10-27 1:56 AM (#551150 - in reply to #546373)
Subject: Re: Drum to Disk conversion


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Location: Minor Hill, TN
That is still on my mind . My previous '61 front brakes were converted to disc brakes
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