49-54 chevy, jamco disk conversion kit...

hi, anyone ever use a jamco disk conversion kit for a 49-54 chev? iam wondering if iam going to have any trouble clearing the stock 15x5 steel wheels? i have been trying to call jamco for about a week and keep getting a busy signal?? any info would help, thanks guys

 

I used an ECI kit on my 53, and 14" wheels clear no problem. 75 monte/malibu rotors, camaro calipers.

I used the AAJ kit on the 55 desoto, and it uses the same calipers, which clear the 15" wheels on it with room to spare.

You also need to change master cylinders, I made a bracket to mount a vette master. a company called Filling Station sells one like it.

 

thanks for the info, i have everthing to mount a disk/drum master on the firewall already, ill check out the eci kit, i have had good luck with jamco's stuff in the past just never used a brake conversion kit from them before.

 

stock chevy wheels will not clear the caliper.

 

Maybe. It is not the diameter or the width, but the shape of the wheel center in relation to the side of the caliper, out from where the outer pad goes. This would also vary with the make of caliper and rotor used. Old school drum brake wheels sometimes are flat enough there to not have enough room to clear the caliper. Worst case scenario, you might have to run a 1/4" or 5/16" spacer. It is the old Mr. Gasket Disc Brake Wheel Spacer we all saw hanging on the wall at the speed shop, and wondered what it was for. Only one way to know for sure....

 

yeah i know what your saying gimpy. iam just trying to find out if maybe jamco uses stuff they know will clear a stock wheel?

 

Doesn't matter who makes it, if properly spaced the caliper will need the same radius. The rotor determines placement. And I have 14 inch factory steel wheels clearing discs. They used 14s in the 1970s, which is what the donor will be. You shouldn't have any trouble with a 15 Joe.

 

I used the ECI kit no problem with the stock 15" wheels.

 

difference in stock rims vs late model (disc) is the stock wheels are stepped and the late ones aren't. bottom line unless its designed for disc. application it won't clear calipers.

 

thank you for all the feedback guys. ill let you all know the outcome

 

I own two cars that don't have that problem.

 

no where did he say the donor wheels would be from the 70's.he said 50's stock wheels.

 

I have the ECI kit and it clears my STOCK 15" wheels just fine

 

the question was "jamco" not eci....

 

And the determining factor is the rotor/ caliper radius and the inside profile of the wheel.

 

i would like to use the stock 15 inch wheels from 54, iam open to using the eci kit if i know it works with a 15x5 wheel seems like a few of you guys have gone this way without a problem. iam going to try calling jamco again in the moring and see what they say..... if the eci kit is the way to go then ill buy that one, thanks again for the input guys

 

good luck and enjoy the build.

 

Hey guys, We were out of the office Friday and Monday woriking on a Hot Rod TV project - '51 Merc. Our kit will clear the stock 15" wheels with no problem. Plus there on sale!!

 

I just installed a Jamco kit on my 52. No problems, but I am running 15" wheel vintigues rims.

 

Well, there you have it folks.

 

yep...but doesn't explain why i had to use spacers with my jamco kit.

 

i bought the ECI kit, guess i will find out for sure when i get it if the wheels clear.