drum to disc brake conversion
#1
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
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.
#3
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,137
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.
#4
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,230
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!
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!
#6
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3
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.
#8
Member
JUNIOR BUILDER
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Calumet City Illinois
Posts: 88
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.
#9
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.
#10
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 7
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.
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
582r10