30s/40s/50s Cadillac Rack & Pinion, Disc Brakes

I found these guys and thought I'd pass it on:
http://www.caddyclassicsbyrpm.com/subpages/ourproducts.html

I guess RPM does all kinds of cool stuff. Here's a blantant copy.paste from their "Our Products" page:

"RPM's Power Rack and Pinion Steering Kits feature a center link setup, though he customizes by vehicle to arrive at the best configuration. To date he has converted over 30 Caddys, Buicks and La Salles of the thirties, forties and fifties. He has even designed and implemented his system on several Packards as well.

RPM's Power Disk Brake Conversion Kits, utilize precision engineered bearings, that allow for easy fallback to factory original, if so desired. RPM has recently expanded the power disk brakes kits to include Caddys 57s through 60s and has shipped some to Germany and England.

RPM utilizes brand new components as well as re-ingeneerd and or, reconditioned ones, for those hard to find applications. His implementations are varied and customized to each vehicle."


Cool stuff. There's even pictures!

Just an FYI for all you guys that may or may not be interested.

~Jason

 

Scarebird, you may have compettition...

~Jason

 

Thanks! I have been looking for a while for a conversion kit.

55caddad

 

No problem!

A lot of people have looked for these parts for a long time. I figured with me passing it on, maybe they wont have to look so hard... now that it's in the good 'ol searchable HAMB!

~Jason

 

Not bad. What are "precision engineered bearings"? Wonder what rotors he used? An d that booster master combo looks interesting.

 

Yeah, the "precision engineered bearings" part made me smile...

You should totally email the guy. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you.

And hell yeah, that booster/master combo DOES look interesting, doesn't it?

~Jason

 

Does the rack just bolt to a flat piece of plate? Or am I missing something?

 

Hey, I'm trying to figure out that one myself!

~Jason

 

Has anyone contacted RPM lately? I can't get to his website.

 

RPM Engineering

22400 Lamel Road

Desert Hot Springs

California 92241 (760)329-1886

There's the info. Looks like he forgot to renew the domain name!

~Jason

 

Hate to drag up an old post, but anybody know if they are still in business? Looking for info on steering rack conversion for my baby.

 

You may try the phone number above, or try this one:
877-329-1886

~Jason

 

Yep, he is in business. Sucks no website, as that is my primary source of info at 2 am in the morning.

Charles

 

LOL! Ditto!

~Jason

 

Hi Guys,

Can anyone help further with RPM Engineering. I want to order a rack & pinion kit for my '56 Eldorado and have tried for some time to reach the owner but it's always on voicemail!

I'm eight hours behind California time so timing is difficult. Any suggestions how I can reach them??

 

he had a death in the family, and was gone for a while. He is 73, and still does all the work. leave a message, and he'll call you- he's a great guy to talk to.

 

Great thanks for this, does anyone have an email for RPM engineering, the problem I have is I am in the UK and eight hours timewise ahead of CA time, so calling me back would be difficult???

 

Email Ron (Metcalf) here: RMetcalf760@aol.com

~Jason

RPM Engineering

has been providing custom Power Steering(Rack & Pinion) Kits and Power Disk Brakes conversions Kits for antique Cadillac Owners for the past 3 years. Ron Metclaf, President and owner, is an experienced machinist and avid Cadillac and Roll Royce restorer for the past quarter century. Early on Ron uncovered the need for modernizing these antique classics without having to sub frame them, while at the same time retaining the ability to restore the vehicle back to its pure, factory original state, if it is necessary or desirable to do so. Starting with his own 1941 Caddy Convertible (photo above), the one that became his company logo, he engineered a solution that is just that, mechanically installable, without any damage to the original vehicle, bolted on, not welded in (though he recommends that the mounting brackets be spot welded for added safety).
Feel free to contact him through e-mail(by clicking on any Ron, on any screen) about your particular project for a no obligation - free of charge proposal. Or if you are so inclined, you can call him at (877) 329-1886 between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM) as he's always glad to talk to customers and prospective customers alike.

Thank you for visiting our website, and please check it periodically as we plan to add a classified section, listing Cadillac classic, hard to find parts and occasionally vehicles.

 

I don't know anything about his rack set up but I used the disc brake set up on my 57 eldorado with no problems

 

He's no "Miss. Hurst", but he's got one he'll of a rack, anyway.

 

Thanks Jason....

I've left a couple of messages on Ron's answer phone and emailed twice but unfortunately no reply? I guess a call back is difficult as I'm 8 hrs time difference ahead of CA time.

Can I ask if any member is in touch with Ron, can you give him my email: pkjordan@talktalk.net in hope he can get back to me. I am so keen to install his kit on my Caddy.

Thanks guys......

 

I'll call him today and let you know what he says.

 

Peter,

I talked to Ron, and he doesn't really use email. He said the email address you have is an old address. He said he got your call, stating that you had emailed him, but that he never got your number.

He said to call him back, and leave your number, and he will be happy to contact you. If you wish, in addition, give me your number too, and we'll make it happen!

He did say that he could fix you up on that 56 Caddy.

 

Thank you '38 Flattie' (sorry I do not know your name!) that is such a great help to me.

My 'window' to call Ron is between 5pm - 10pm UK time (9am - 2pm CA time) so I will definitely try him again this evening.

My email is still current, perhaps try an alternative I have: bobntel@aol.com
My full UK number (011) -44-1252 334032 or cell: (011)-44-7788 547595.

Thanks again, very much appreciated....
Peter.

 

Maybe Ron might see some benefit to being an Alliance member on here? He'd certainly get some more exposure for his unique product...

 

Do you mean Ron from RPM?

 

Shit!

Yes! Ron!

Can't believe I got his name wrong!

~Jason

 

Just to let all you guys who have helped me with this project know, I have spoken to Ron and all is under way. What a great guy he is, polite, professional with a vast knowledge of anything old needing a steering or brake makeover.

Highly recommended..... give him a try?

 

I have talked to Ron and he is very knowledgeable and willing to help. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a disc brake conversion that will allow me to use my original wheels from my 57 Caddy model 62. Other suppliers said I would never be able to use the original wheels. HA! I can't wait for it to come. I am like a kid in a candy store............................

 

Needless to say we are interested too. Those rims are very disc unfriendly due to the tapered center section.