Disk brake conversion on a 50 Pontiac?

Two door, coupe.

Has anyone done one? Hoping for a brackets and you buy the parts type setup.

What is the shock setup like on these? I don't have one to look at. Trying to gather info for a clubmate.

Thanks,

RASHY

 

I was up in Mooresville, NC, back in November and stopped in at Master Power Brake to discuss disc brakes for my '53 Chrysler. I was very impressed with the operation, they were very helpful and,yes, they can do a disc barke setup for a '53 Chrysler.......so I'm positive they can do a '50 Pontiac (which is a way cool car in my opinion, esp.the dash). Try this: http://www.mpbrakes.com/

or possibly these folks: http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/

Hope this is of some help. Others here may have someone real good to recommend.
Luck!!!!!

 

The 1970's full size GM rotor fits these spindles. I think a couple guys make brackets for calipers, but it's a garage industry deal. Check the post archives for the yahoo groups list "pontiac-1950s" because I know there is info in it, a couple guys have done the conversion on their cars.

Just for what it's worth, the Pontiac front suspension is about the same from '49 through '57, so if you've messed with a 5-6-7 it should apply to one of these also.

 

I have been looking around for the same thing for my 57. Ill PM you if I find something usefull to you during my search

chandler

 

Checkout http://www.scarebird.com/ He sells the caliper brackets for a resonable price.
Also here is a set up that HAMBer DON WOW used on his 56 olds. This setup would also work possibly any 50's B.O.P..
Hit me a PM with your email and I'll send you all the info I have about it I have the pics on a word doc. and can't figger how to post them on here.
Dan
This is info I got from DON WOW.


First three pics are the front wheel; fourth pic is shot of rear axle. I have 4 wheel discs on my olds.

Parts you will need to get are rotors and calipers from a 69 to 76 olds toronado or caddy eldo- they are 5 inch on 5 studs same as your 56 pattern. You will need ten new lug nuts studs at least 1/2 or 3/4 inches longer than stock that the 56 has. Don’t try and get left hand thread not needed. Next you need 1/4 inch plate large enough to make two brackets to mount calipers. Maybe new hoses to front calipers and new pads

you will have to use 15 inch wheels with this deal. If you want to run 14 inch wheels use 77and later toro or eldo parts because rotors are smaller in diameter. Stock rims will work fine. Larger rotors are better on big car and cost is same.

Here in southern Ill. all this will run around 100 bucks at the bone yard. New stuff might be found at NAPA if you want.

Master cylinder on 56 will work if you take out check valve in very front of bore. Other wise discs will not release. Will not change how rear drums work because they have springs to pull and release. No valve in line to rear drum is needed, if adjusted right, they will not lock up before the fronts. If you go to rear discs also you will need a proportial valve in line to rear to keep from locking rears first.

Run a tube into your fill cap on master cylinder to upper part of fire wall to have master full all time and fluid level above front calipers. Make sure to have vent in top lid.

Tear off front wheel-brake and backing plates. Now you have a bare spindle. Use backing plate to make pattern on 1/4 inch plate so it will bolt on same as the backing plate did.

Knock drums and studs off of the bearing hub and install new longer studs. Take hub and turn outside diameter a little smaller just so it will let rotor slip over and sit flush.

Use 24 -26 gauge sheet metal or cardboard and make pattern same as backing plate bolt holes, cut U to clear caliper. Put hub on spindle, slip caliper and pads on rotor so they are set right with bleeder on top and mark center for caliper bolts. Transfer pattern to plate cut, drill, and tap, grind and make purdy. Plate bolts on same as backing plate did, hub and bearings are stock ------only now you got disc brakes.

Same deal for rear only weld bracket to axle to get spacing right.

Kinda long winded but pics will fill in blanks, I hope. Have done this on 6 different makes of cars, works on about anything.

My olds at 4000 pounds stops as good as late model new cars.

Hope this helps you out

 

use the scarebird calipers, they give you a hamb discount without even being an alliance member. then order 69-78 el dorado calipers, 71-76 bonneville rotors and A3, A5 spec bearings. I'll let you know how it all fits together when it comes. Im putting it on a 51 pontiac sedan delivery.
brendan

 

Thanks for the info man but he got rid of the car. That was well over a year ago!