Buying the kit is the easy way out and is the route you should take if you don't have the time or resources to gather the parts you need.

I stumbled onto a 77 Lincoln Mark V that had 4 wheel disk brakes. The car didn't cost me anything except for the gas and the Sunday afternoon spent to drive 90 miles round trip to bring it home. The Lincoln provided the master cylinder, the proportioning valve, a 9" differential with disk brakes that was the correct width. I seriously considered making by own brakets and using the front Lincoln calipers until I priced a front disk brake kit from CCP--I couldn't build anything that would work for the price they offered. I buy 99% of all my parts at a local independent parts store and they give me a good deal, so the Camaro calipers and rotors were not nearly as pricy as the parts in the 'complete' kit. I used the Lincoln master cylinder only as a pattern to build a bracket to install this master cylinder in the stock location on my 51. I could buy a rebuilt master cylinder from my parts place cheaper than I could rebuild the one I had so that is the route I chose. The rear Lincoln calipers were a different story--I could rebuild them cheaper myself so that is what I did. I bought a bunch of bulk line and a double flaring tool and redid all the brake lines. I bought new hoses which were again cheaper locally rather than from the kit.

I guess my point is to use your resources. Keep your eyes open and don't get in a big hurry. I was still driving my stock 51 around listening to #4 rod pound while I was looking for a 261 to replace it. I found a 261 and while I was overhauling it I started looking for a GM 89mm (RPO MYA6) transmission, which I found in a local junk yard. I did the research and figured out what Lincoln cars would have the most parts I needed and eventually one popped up. Get to know the local independent parts store guys. Get to know the salvage yard guys. My fellow 'Bolters will give you lots of advice. Good luck!

Remember 9-11-01--God Bless the USA
JUSTICE, not REVENGE, will prevail

1951 Chevy 1/2-ton Pickup truck