The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Master Power Brakes disc kit for 46 straight axle

Hi
I'm on a tight budget but find it fashionable to stop when needed.
I came across this kit Master Power Brakes Kit.
I have no desire to do a Mustang II clip.
Anyone use one of these kits? I'll be verifying King Pins are in good order but wanted to see if any of y'all have used this with an electric power brake unit.

I'll bet you a beer that the kit you are looking at is a 1/2 ton only kit.

I've look at disc brake setups for my '46 and they all seem to be 5-lug. Then, I would have 5 in front and 6 in the rear - which spare do I carry? I decided to stay with my drum brakes for now.

I converted mine to disc by making my own kit. I used rotors from a 78/80 Chevy K10 which are 6 lug. I used calipers from a 78/80 Chevy C10. I made brackets from plywood to get the proper dimensions, then cut them out of 3/8 plate steel. I used the original hubs. I installed longer 2 1/2 inch studs because I need a 1/2 inch spacer for the wheel to clear the caliper.
I did the tapered bearing swap. I had the hub surface trued to mate with the rotor. I used a 1/8 spacer behind the hub to allow for the offset required to get the rotor centered.

I have that kit on my '37, I purchased it in 1999, so it may not be the exact same parts. Mine is manual brakes, the truck is fairly light weight 3400 lbs, so no need for power assist. Yes they are for 1/2 tons. Mine uses '70 -'79 Camaro disks and calipers with a custom caliper mount to fit the straight axle. I've had no issues with it. I replaced one bearing, but it wasn't really bad once I cleaned it all up. If you go with a kit like this, write the bearing numbers and seal number down where you can find them, then check to see if you can get one local. Mine uses a standard GM outer bearing, and a Ford inner bearing on a custom made adapter, the seal is also for Ford. You sure don't want be out away from home and have an odd ball bearing go out. I use a Ford master cylinder, I believe it's a 7/8" bore. My rear axle is from a '79 Trans Am, drum brakes. I had a Firebird/Camaro master cylinder, but the bore was wrong with the pedal ratio I have, so I went to a smaller bore cylinder. I added an adjustable proportioning valve to the back brakes to limit the stopping ability, it would skid the rear tires on a moderate stop and really slide on a hard stop. This does make for a harder pedal, but it stops straight.

vonkluver - That CPP kit you mentioned is for 1928 Chevy Car and 1/2 ton trucks only, It will not fit your larger 3/4 ton truck.

There are a number of sellers offering 1947-59 Chevy/GMC 3600 (3/4 ton) and 3800 (1 ton) 8 lug front disc brake conversion kits currently. A quick web search can point you towards those options.

I suggest this as a possible alternative as a check of Chevrolet Master Parts Books indicates your 1946 3600 shared the same spindles, inner and outer wheel bearings and steering arms a the 1947- 52 3600 and 3800 trucks.

There was a change in 1953, but since these kits are listed as fitting the earlier 1947-52 trucks, they must have some work around to allow the kits to fit both spindle designs.

Best thing may be to call some of the vendors offering these kits to see if they can be fitted to your '46, or you could replicate Wayne's process and create your own front disc brakes.

I did a conversion on my '50 3600 (3/4 ton) with a kit bought on E-Bay. I can dig out the details if needed but it has been a few years and I'm not sure the same source is still providing kits.