drum to disc brake conversion

Old 02-07-2010, 03:44 PM
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trucker677
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Default drum to disc brake conversion

I just purchased a 65 nova, first older car I ever owned, I am wondering what types of vehicles I can use to convert the drum brake to disc brake. what other changes is there I have to do. Any help or any input would be great, Thank you.
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Old 02-19-2010, 08:07 PM
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gasser40
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Default disk conversion

You will be better off with a complete kit , I used a kit from summit racing on my 64 Nova cost about 650 bucks , salvage yards have very little you can use on a Nova I tried , good luck
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Old 02-19-2010, 10:19 PM
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Tod74
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I used a Wilwood drag race kit but I swapped my other car with junkyard stuff....might be tough to do with the 65..not sure what fits. You will have to change the master cylinder and make sure you have no residual pressure valves in the system between the master cylinder and the calipers...I think some had them in the master and some in the distribution block/proportioning valve whatever ya call it...They keep the fluid from being forced back to the MC by the springs on drum brake set ups...If you have them the calipers will not release correctly.
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Old 02-20-2010, 05:33 PM
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hollowayshotrods
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Welcome to the world of hotrodding!
I would go with a new conversion kit, less headaches in my opinion. By the time you try to "salvage yard" the conversion for a '65, you will have spent nearly as much in time and gas than you would getting the new kit. I also would try to hook up with a local speed shop to make the buy, might be a few dollars more, but they are local and can't hide behind a website.
Good luck!
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Old 03-07-2010, 02:22 PM
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coolracing
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I would check with speedwaymotors.com
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Old 08-12-2010, 03:20 PM
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Pro69s
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Default Re: drum to disc brake conversion

Originally Posted by trucker677
I just purchased a 65 nova, first older car I ever owned, I am wondering what types of vehicles I can use to convert the drum brake to disc brake. what other changes is there I have to do. Any help or any input would be great, Thank you.
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Old 08-12-2010, 03:26 PM
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Default Re: drum to disc brake conversion

Buy a complete kit..nothing like it..no headaches...
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Old 08-12-2010, 06:41 PM
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deward
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I agree that a kit is your best bet by far. I converted my 72 buick pro-street to 4 wheel disc brakes that I bought from my local speedshop. It was a complete bolt on with all hardware included. A kit will save you time and money and headaches.
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Old 08-13-2010, 05:30 AM
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oldandtired
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Originally Posted by deward
I agree that a kit is your best bet by far. I converted my 72 buick pro-street to 4 wheel disc brakes that I bought from my local speedshop. It was a complete bolt on with all hardware included. A kit will save you time and money and headaches.
Agree with all the above plus the safety factor you will have with matched parts.
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Old 09-21-2010, 06:23 PM
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chevy582r10
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Default Re: drum to disc brake conversion

Originally Posted by trucker677
I just purchased a 65 nova, first older car I ever owned, I am wondering what types of vehicles I can use to convert the drum brake to disc brake. what other changes is there I have to do. Any help or any input would be great, Thank you.
Here's what you can do if you're looking for a cheap alternative to the expensive brake kits. It's not lightweight but not too heavy either and very good working and durable. I've done this to a bunch of cars over the years.

Get brake rotors and hoses for a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am with rear disc brakes. Calipers and pads for the front of a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville, weld on Metric caliper brackets from a place called Smiley's Racing here on the net. The last time I bought all this stuff the rotors were $22.00 ea, calipers were $19.00 ea. but have a core charge on them, the brake hoses were $24.00 ea and the brackets were $9.95 ea plus shipping. You can add in an adjustable proportioning valve if you want, so far all the cars I've put these on stopped great without one. This set up will get you a nice set of rear disc brakes but does not have any provision for a parking brake. The metric calipers can be had with a parking brake on them too I never bought them that way but I think the rear calipers for a 1987 pontiac 6000 with rear disc has them. Good Luck

Roger
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