The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Brake Upgrade to Disk

OK shipmates - ya probably know this by now but here's the requisite background: I got a 58 Chevy Apache long bed, V8, 5-speed. I want to upgrade the brake system this summer.

I've looked at going a couple of different ways but I think the best compromise based on my knowledge & new equipment cost, time involved, etc. etc. is one of the disk brake upgrade kits that allows bolt on to the stock spindles. Most I've found are 5-lug but I finally found a 6-lug bolt on kit from Chevy Duty at what looks like around $900.

I'd sure appreciate:

A) some feedback on whether or not these bolt on kits are worth the money

B) any experience anyone has had with installing these - pitfalls, gotchas, oh sh*ts, and hoorahs too.

C) any resources that I can use to gird my loins before starting the project

D) the satisfaction level with them after installation.

I'm just looking to open a general discussion in advance to keep myself from stompin' on my willie with this brake project.

As always, many thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to weigh on this. (I'm not gonna be able to pay my bar tab for buyin' all you guys' drinks for helpin me out!)

they're worth the money if ya want an easy bolt in and ya need discs, but there\'s a cheaper kit available [scroll down to brakes], and if ya look around you might be able to find just the adapter, which is all ya really need, then the rest of the parts can be from the wreckers, friends, or NAPCO

just gotta make sure the whole thing'll clear the wheels ya got, or be prepared to use some spacers or different wheels - works fine, may need booster or dual m.c.

make mine a Kokanee [CDN], room temp

Bill

That sounds like a kit with power booster too. That's good.

I'd strong suggest upgrading to a dual master and replacing brake lines at the same time. The kit probably has the dual master, you'll want to add the brake lines.

Also use the search function of this forum. You'll find countless entries from people who have done it.

Cletis- thanks man, I did the search before posting & yessiree, there's a lot of posts regarding front disks - 4 pages, in fact - I read until my brain hurt but didn't get the info that I was looking for, primarily before-the-fact tech & how-to info and some after action reports from folks who've done it.

Red58 - the link to classic performance was great, thanks. Their prices are the same as chevy duty & the kit looks the same. The tech & how-to links were exactly what I needed!

OldSub - The kit has the booster that replaces the stock master cylinder. I gotta figure out how the hell a guy ads fluid to it if it's under the floor board & has a regular spring clip to hold the top on !?! Maybe it'll be in one of the articles that I found at classic trucks. I think new lines are a good idea, too.

I'm still hoping some shipmates will post their first hand installation experiences & after installation performance evaluation.

Now I gotta go figure out what the heck Kokanee is and how somebody can drink it at 12 degrees below zero ( which I believe is Canadian room temperature)!

har har har!! the last time it was -24°c [-12°f] here was the last ice age! kokanee - the real thing

Bill

I have mounted the chevy duty kit on my 59.
It is a very easy bolt on kit. Did not experience any problems when mounting, but have a long way to go before beeing able to test it. Just make sure to uppgrade bearings to rollertype while u are in there.

ove - Did you put in the kit with the booster? If so, it says that it mounts in the same place as the original. Was this a problem? How tough is it to access thru the floorboard for fluid checks & addition?

If it's in the same place as the original, there is a rubber plug in the floorbard that is removed for access.

Thanks

There are remote fills m/c available from
several hot rod shops as another option

Dan

Bob, I posted the problems I had with my CPP kit on my 54 GMC web page. Click on "Front suspension" when you get there.

Red, The hole doesn't line up with the reservoir on the dual master cylinder. The CPP kit comes with a squirt bottle for adding fluid. I don't know how well it works because I filled mine with the cab off.

I wrote up some stuff for my website on my disk conversion. It’s not much, but it’s at http://www.oldsub.com/Content/2002/11/brakes.html.

I pull the transmission cover and us a funnel to fill the master cylinder. I have an extra battery cover, and have thought about modifying the floor and using that cover for the master.

Another approach is to cut another round hole and buy an additional round cover just like the stock one, but locate it to fill the new master.

Remote fill masters are another solution. You mount the reservoir somewhere easier to service, and then you don't need to get underneath.

If your brake lines are good and your calipers and cylinders don't leak, you don't need to deal with it very often...