I have a friend with a box stock 55 Chevy and he is looking to improve the front end parts. We would like to update the hubs to roller bearing spindles and disc brakes. I have heard that a later model Chevy can be a direct bolt-in. Does anyone have information on this subject.
We were doing it with 68-72 Chevelle rotors and calipers and a simple plate adapter to mount the caliper 30 years ago. Also if a guy wants to keep drum braks but newer style bearings, the hubs from a 61-65 Chevy car will fit right back in place with taper bearings and the stock drum will still fit as well.
cl***ic chevy club magazine (back in the day when they were good) use to run tech tip articles on brake conversions all the time-- early to mid 70's GM usually. I'll cast about some and see if I can come up with the mag number or the tech help number for you
My '55 had Chevelle disc brakes on it when I bought it. They worked great, but moved the wheel mounting surface outboard about an inch, IIRC. Not a problem with stock height and tire width, but you might experience clearance issues if you start changing things. When I lowered mine, I switched to Heidt's disc brakes and spindles, which moved the tires/wheels back inside/under the fenderwell.
We do a zero offset 11 inch rotor big piston GM caliper kit for the 55-68 Chevys. It is a bolt on kit with all NEW parts. 860-872-7046.
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