So, have to finish rebuilding the brakes on the '60 Caddy and want to go with a dual pot master cylinder for better safety. Cadillac went this route in 1962. Anybody put a '62 dual pot master cylinder on an earlier model Caddy? Any issues, problems or success ? Thanks, -scott noteboom
It's been on my 'to do' list for a while for my '60. People do it all the time - just swap it in, split the front and rear brake lines and run 'em up to their respective places on the new master cylinder, and you're all done after a bleed. You shouldn't even need to replace your wheel cylinders, Scott. ~Jason
Rusty, Im actually interested in this "adapter" you're talking about. Actually if you're talking 70's Impala, you're talking brake hardware (discs, rotors) that is pretty much all 70's chevy cars. Let me know if you have more info on this setup. Thanks, -scott
Hell yeah, I'm interested in it, too. Is it the disc brake kit for the '59/60 I've seen out there several times, or is just the adapter, and I'm on my own getting the rest of the hardware? Surely you've seen the kit, haven't you, Scott? Google (or Yahoo, in your case) "1960 Cadillac Disc Brake Kit" or "1959 Cadillac disc brake kit" and many links will come up. But Rusty, if this is just the adapter we're talking about here, I'd go for something like that. I can get my own damned rotors & calipers at Western Auto (or whatever they're calling themselves now) whenever I want, then. Besides, my car ain't goin' anywhere for a while, and I can afford to nickel-and-dime it that way (which works very well for my budget). ~Jason
Is that info correct? Is it really that easy? Can you reuse the booster, or is that different? What about a proportioning valve? And would all of this apply to a '64 Olds 98? The 98 was supposed to be based on the Caddy platform/wheelbase but I don't know if the brake shit is the same. I don't need discs but it'd be great to have a two chamber master for avoiding death. Anyone know? I suppose an interchange manual would be helpful.
I think it is only the bendix style that interchanges on the cadillacs though. I cant remember off the top of my head I have no idea for the olds. -Nick
Pretty much. Like Nick said, I also believe that only the Bendix ones swap, but don't quote me on that. And yes, a nice adjustable proportioning valve would work wonders (but I'd take a while to make sure it's dialed in just like you want it). As for the booster, I'd make sure that whatever one you end up using is from a donor car that had an engine that produced as much vacuum as the one you have now (that's the secret), and of course, that the master cylinder bolts up to it. The rest is all about having the balls to punch the holes in the firewall & brake pedal bracket and bolt it on. ~Jason
Yeah, Jason-- im with you. Ive seen the kits out there. Im simply into seeing someone selling the brackets so that we can buy and mount our own Chevy calibers, rotors, etc... thanks, -scott noteboom
Right on, brother! I almost met another '60 Cad guy on the way to a job interview yesterday. A white 2-door was sitting at a transmission shop I've driven by about a million times. As I may be doing a rear end swap relatively soon, I almost called them up to take some measurements for me while it was on the lift because I'm too lazy to crawl under mine again. If I get this job, which will be supporting in-car cop car video recording devices/systems, I might actually be able to afford the kit, but until then, the best I can do is be able to afford the adapters alone. ~Jason
ive been doing some homework on this one and here's what i think: 1) i believe that its possible that a mid 70's Chevy disc rotor (i used '75 Impala as reference) will bolt onto a stock 60 Cadillac spindle. Both the 75 Impala and the 60 Caddy share the same inner and outer front wheel bearings. 2) I believe the same mid 70's Impala caliper can be usable in this scenario, given that you make the right bracket. I don't believe the bracket should need to be very intricate. Anybody got a spare 1960 Caddy front spindle so that i can verify & mock something up on the bench ? In exchange, if i can figure it out, i'll mak you a set of brackets and give the spindle back when i'm done. I should be able to pretty quickly plasma cut pieces necessary and weld. On the other hand, Abomination and I are looking into someone who may sell the bracket. Will update more as i learn more. -scott noteboom
I think you're on the right track, there. I've been emailing bacl and forth with a guy that put a Northstar in a '59. Here's a quote from his email: "I have 4 wheel disc brakes pieces (65-71? Chevy truck calipers- all corners, 70 Pontiac rotors (front), 85? TransAm (rear), 8 vacuum booster), rear caliper brackets- big bearing 9 ford to GM Caliper) purchased from Master Power Brake in NC. I made the front caliper brackets from Master Power Brake blank that had caliper cutout; I machined a peace sign style cutout for the spindle and the spacers for the offset. " I emailed him for more info and to verify that indeed he's using the stock spindles, and should probably hear back by the weekend. I'll let you guys know. By the way, he's running a big bearing Ford 9", not the stock rear end. ~Jason
I wish I had a spindle to spare I definitly want to be kept in the loop for a possible production run. I may be able to obtain a spindle in a week or two if someone else doesnt get one sooner. -Nick
I have been working with another rod shop with a 57-60 Cadillac setup, and finished up the final details tonight. I used 71-76 Cadillac rotors with Astro Van calipers mounted to the rear- with the hose crossing the steering axis to the front. This will be made out of 1/4" cold rolled steel (70k yield vs A36) and is laser cut for excellent fitment. I can offer a group purchase to fellow HAMB'ers if interest is there; would run about $95 shipped to US locations, including spacer and driver piece. Tell me what you think.
Man, that sounds freakin' beautiful. The pads should be pretty cheap, too (nice selection - brilliant, actually). What master cylinder/booster combo would you recommend for this? Got any pics? ~Jason
Mike, unfortunately I only have the spindle to work with, and a few pix gleaned off the web of the suspension layout. I may work out a booster adapter for the tandem 8" GM unit found in mid 80's S10's and the like. They can take any GM master from 1964 to the mid 90's- and work quite well even in low vacuum situations. Pix of the mounted original master would be nice if anybody has them...
I looked forever for disc conversions for my 60. I gave up and put a whole front end kit with rack and pinion and the works. I knew this would happen as soon as I spent major bucks. I did the master cylinder conversion before going to discs though and the difference is definitely worth it. There was a brake outfit in Long Beach, can't remember the name, (many years and brain cells ago) that provided the booster that fit right in.
Man, tell me about your front end kit! Where'd you get it? What are the parts involved (and what were they originally intended for, unless this was a completely custom job)? I'm pretty stoked about that! I've wanted one for years, but gave up on THAT (but not the brakes - just the opposite of you). Got any pictures? That's just awesome! ~Jason
One of those babies is always a good idea. You can find some pretty awesome ones, and they're really not that much money. ~Jason
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