I'm interested in doing a front disc brake conversion on my '65 Caliente with 200 6cyl, stock 4 lug 14IN wheels, and auto tranny. Currently the front suspension is all stock and I'm not interested in converting to V8 5 lug gear. Some of the vendor sites say minimum wheel width needs to be 5IN. With my stock wheels I believe the width is 4.5IN. Has anyone completed a successful similar disc brake conversion? Or could recommend a kit that is known to work with the narrow 6cyl wheels?
I'm currently having to apply more pressure than I am comfortable with to get the car to slow down, and if I apply a lot of pressure the fronts grab and don't really release well when I take off (I can still feel them grabbing as if the emergency brake were engaged).
thanks,
Matt
Disc Brake Conversion
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- Posts: 140
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:46 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
Disc Brake Conversion
1965 Comet Caliente Convertible
5H25T582252
5H25T582252
Re: Disc Brake Conversion
The early wheels don’t have the side bulge necessary to clear the disc brake calipers.
Your best bet would be to find a set of late 60s 4 lug wheels...by 68/69 all the wheels were designed with disc brakes in mind.
Joe
Your best bet would be to find a set of late 60s 4 lug wheels...by 68/69 all the wheels were designed with disc brakes in mind.
Joe
Re: Disc Brake Conversion
You could probably change the hoses & fix those problems. sounds like the hoses are swelled in.MattDoscher wrote:
I'm currently having to apply more pressure than I am comfortable with to get the car to slow down, and if I apply a lot of pressure the fronts grab and don't really release well when I take off (I can still feel them grabbing as if the emergency brake were engaged).
thanks,
Matt
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- Posts: 140
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:46 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
Re: Disc Brake Conversion
Thanks Joe, Hadn't really thought of that but I may!Your best bet would be to find a set of late 60s 4 lug wheels...by 68/69 all the wheels were designed with disc brakes in mind.
You could probably change the hoses & fix those problems. sounds like the hoses are swelled in.
Thanks Johno, I haven't actually looked at what the problem might be yet.
Matt
1965 Comet Caliente Convertible
5H25T582252
5H25T582252
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- Posts: 140
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:46 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
Re: Disc Brake Conversion
I pulled the front drums off this weekend and inspected the shoes, hoses, cylinders, drums, hubs, etc. The only thing concerning I saw was fine hairline cracking in the shoes. There are no leaks from the hose connections or cylinders, and the hoses look fairly new, the drums looked ok but I don't have the tools necessary for measuring them. The right front drum had more drag than the left front so I backed off the spring until both were about even.
I guess I'll have to take the drums to a shop to have them professionally measured and inspected. I think I would like to find a pair of NOS 9INX2.5IN, C1DZ-1102-B drums and then replace the shoes and cylinders.
Matt
I guess I'll have to take the drums to a shop to have them professionally measured and inspected. I think I would like to find a pair of NOS 9INX2.5IN, C1DZ-1102-B drums and then replace the shoes and cylinders.
Matt
1965 Comet Caliente Convertible
5H25T582252
5H25T582252