Recently picked this car up, brakes are so-so on it, just pulled all brakes off the car today and did shoes all around and adjusted, drums all looked great and car stopped previously but sketchy under sudden stops. After doing them and test driving the car today they still arent really up to par. Time to upgrade. Any bolt on spindles from newer GM cars that would work on this beast? Options and other swaps out there? Thanks in advance!
How about a bolt on non power dual master cylinder retaining the factory 4 bolt style master? Anything fit?
If you have the money......http://www.arrowheadcomponentsinc.com/aciproducts/discbrakeconversion.html
The stock non power master is a 1" bore currently, I just put excellent shoes on it all around and re-bled them again today. They are still sketchy to me. I just sold my 53 Belair with stock drums and master all around and it stopped alot better..Even after doing the full brake system on it,it stopped great pror to brake job and stopped the same after but with all new stuff all around. I dunno what is going on.
work on it a little more.my 62 ford galaxie is 4 wheel drums i changed everything new lines,wcs,shoes,master,hoses hardware kit .im happy with it .but i just criuise it.
take alook at the shoes and see if there is a primary and secondary for each wheel....there should be 1 of each on each wheel.....the parts store may have sold you all secondaries without knowing it??!!...Miller
Jeff K has a good suggestion, in that you should give it a little time. If you pull a drum and look at the contact patch on the new shoes, chances are it's a small contact patch, vs the full length of the shoe. The reason for this is that the shoes are made assuming the diameter of the drum is factory spec, but if the drum has been turned, or is worn, then the arc of the shoes doesn't match the drums. The old brake shops used to be able to grind the shoes to match the drum, not sure that too many of those are around anymore. You might check with some long established shops to see if there is an old pants-pisser working there that knows how to do this, or knows where you might be able to get it done.
Is car currently a NON power brake car ? A GM style MC will bolt to the two lower studs on firewaLL. Don't destroy the rubber boot behind MC..If you stay with the drums get a MANUAL brake tandem MC (GM style) and seperate and plug rear feed at Y block on frame near upper A-frame. Splice in line to rear brakes..If you go with discs get a MC for cars with front discs...most later model GM cars & trucks.. I used Scarebirds front change over and found it a very simple conversion using over the counter parts from a list supplied by him.. Didn't even have to replace brake hoses..DO NOT use DOT 5/silecone fluid....Ask me how I know .. FWIW: A "street"driver should be fine with the stock brakes...check it out better..IMO..
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