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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 353
 
| Has anyone installed discs on the rear of a 56 Dodge or Plymouth?
I am not home in my shop and I do not have a lot to do today so I would do some more thinking about converting to discs. I do have AAJ on the front and have all new components on the rear except for drums. The drums are .030” over, obviously they have been turned at some time. I have not found anyone near me that has the equipment to fit shoes to drums so then I don’t have full contact. All that said, I do not like the braking action that I have with disc/drum the way they are.
Comments on your experience and success and pictures if you have.
Del |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7407
 
Location: northern germany | There are plenty, or hundreds of disks on Ebay with various sizes and offsets with a 5x4.5" bolt pattern. You can pick about any fixed brake caliper that accepts the disks and fabricate a simple bracket. Not neccesarily welding required.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7407
Location: northern germany | I did that with a Wilwood brake about 25 years ago. Works like a charm up to this day. There are pictures here, that you will find using the search function |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9681
Location: So. Cal | I recommend installing an 8 3/4 from a B-body into it first. Then drive it to see how you like it. You'll need to change the driveshaft and weld the spring mounts to it.
Edited by Powerflite 2023-11-25 11:45 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| I did the ford 8.8 posi out of a v8 explorer... its 3.73 though...
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9681
Location: So. Cal | That's the dumb thing about the Ford 8.8. You can't change the gear very easily or cheaply. I tell people that do those conversions that they had better like the gear ratios because you will have to do another swap if you don't. With the 9" Ford & 8 3/4, at least you have a myriad of options and can change your mind easily. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 353
| Darn, I just notice I put this under the wrong heading. The above is all helpful but I am not changing the rear axle. It will remain O.E. I am unable to find a thread that is specific to a 56 Dodge with 11” drums, not Center Plane. Has anyone used AAJ for this conversion?
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9681
Location: So. Cal | I didn't realize that AAJ made a disc conversion kit for the '56 Dodge 8 1/4 rear. Do you know what brake components it uses? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 353
| All I know about AAJ’s rear conversion kit is, he uses GM metric caliber. |
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Expert
Posts: 3778
Location: NorCal | Powerflite - 2023-11-25 8:43 PM
I recommend installing an 8 3/4 from a B-body into it first.
^^^^^^^^
This. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 888
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | ...still curious as to the reason for not wanting to swap rear axle assembly ...... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 353
| I have a number of reasons for not swapping the rear axle out. A) my car is a lovely driver, not a hot rod. B) in today’s city driving I want good braking, better than the current rear drums. C) my next project is to swap out the Powerflite for a Torqueflite that is ready and waiting to go in. D) then I will install the Coaxial Power Steering. By the time I get this done I will be too old to drive and then my grandson gets it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 888
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | I get it, sort of....does your PF still have the parking brake attached? When you change to a TF, unless you stay in the same vintage, you will then need to change the axle. Just seems easier to do that now before you give up driving. Best wishes. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9911
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
I am Del's friend and have been helping him with accumulating parts for a A-466 cast iron Torqueflite swap, based on my A-466 swap into my 56 Dodge.
To that end, Del has acquired a rebuilt A-466 unit with PN 1854 124 that has the emergency brake at the end of the tail piece. That trans used to live behind a 392 hemi.
Since the photo below, it has been rebuilt.
My experience (and suggestions):
Hints for installing a cast-iron A-466 Torqueflite in a 56 Dodge with existing Powerflite
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=73638&...
 (DelsRebuiltTFscore_small.jpg)
 (DelsTFPN1854_124.jpg)
Attachments
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 DelsRebuiltTFscore_small.jpg (164KB - 31 downloads)
DelsTFPN1854_124.jpg (107KB - 22 downloads)
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
| FWIW I have a complete disc brake rearend from
a 75 imperial still in car. 4.5 pattern $350 located in northern
California |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 353
| Thanks fellows. I appreciate your input on the subject. What I get from all of this is, no one has installed discs on the tapered rear axle in a 55 or 56. I’ll let you know how I make out once I get to completion. I only work on my car/s in the summer as my wife and I spend the winters in a warmer climate. Completion could be this summer or next???
FYI. You won’t see a thread from me on the tranny swap as 56D500boy has a very detailed description of every twist and turn along with skinned knuckles in his thread noted above. I may start a thread on the trials and tribulations of swapping out the manual steering for the coaxial (when I get to it). Thank again.
Del |
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Rear Discs
