Hello and Happy Thanksgiving,
Has any one done a "bolt on front disk brake conversion" using your original spindles for a mid year. spec. a 64. looks like the way to go but ????? they make it sound like a 4 hr job, Thanks for any info.

Frank.

 

I would give this a hard think. We did a conversion on my 64 convertible. It was a PITA.

You will be doing, master cylinder, brake lines, and spindles etc. If you go with power brakes the hood will not clear in the stock position. We tried several "kits" that would not clear the knockoff wheels. We ended up with stock 65 corvette front disc assembles and a modified power booster mount. John Z is has a recommendation for the master cylinder for drum rears and disc fronts.

 

I've done this conversion, but I used the later spindles. I don't know that the '64 spindles will work with the calipers and hold the disk hardware (e.g., dust shield). It is actually a fairly easy conversion and there are many of us who have done it ourselves without professional help. You can either use the '65 M/C, or go with a later dual M/C. Mine has seen use of the stock '64 M/C, the '65 M/C, and the '70s dual M/C. If you go with a "manual" system, there are no clearance issues.


To increase the FUN FACTOR, this is the perfect time to add a "line lock."

 

Frank can you please elaborate? From your post it appears you have a specific kit in mind available from some vendor?

 

HotRodUSA and others have kits that uses your 64 spindles and Wilwood calipers with some special mounting bracket. They claim it will work with 15 inch knock offs .They advertise on ebay as well. I did a search and found someone else selling a kit for $365 x 2 with zero offset and a custom hub (I didn't find this one when I was doing it early this year.) You for sure want a kit with zero offset as some kits add 2'' to the width. The kit I put on from SS brakes with spindles cost $1,176. Lots of other kits available if you use bigger wheels. A cheaper alternative is to find used front brakes from 74-82 corvette or so which is what you get with the kit with new spindles.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

I went with new spindles as the HotRodUSA kit without spindles costs as much or more. Doing the front is pretty easy.

You should also put in a dual master cylinder. I put one in and decided not to go with power brakes due to the hood interference on my 63. I can alway convert to power later as a MC is only $50 from NAPA and the brake booster is <$100 but some fiddling with the mounting bracket is required. Putting in the dual master cylinder can be done for $100 if you bend your own brake lines like I did. You would need a 67 front brake block and tie in the rear circuit with the existing brake line. BTW you don't need the 67 style proportioning valve. If you go with keeping the drums in the back, you will have to find a MC designed for disc/drum as the 67 MC is for disc/disc. Someone else can tell you which MC to get as I used a 67 and did 4 wheel disc brakes(PITA on a 63 as I had to replace the complete ebrake with a 64-66 style including all hardware and ebrake bracket/handle I got from a forum member).

My 4 wheel disc conversion was pretty expensive. Then a month ago I bought a complete 65 show car chassis completely restored with new brakes for about the same $$$!!!

Do a search on this conversion. Lots of info and pictures.

 

Forget the Wilwoods with knockoffs. Here is a photo of some of the parts that I got from Hot Rods USA that didn't work.

 

If I had to do it over I'd try the kit from the guy in California and send it back if it didn't work. I'm sure glad I didn't buy the kit from HotRodUSA!

 

something like this would be a good start if you don't mind doing a little cleaning.... http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ209089316

 

Hi , this is where I found this kit.

(I installed a power brake booster some time ago and works great on my drums, just need better straight stopping )

1963-1964 Corvette / Bottom Kit
Price: $575.00

KIT #: DK787B

braketechsolutions.com


Brake Tech Solutions
10806 Reames Rd. Suite W
Charlotte, NC 28269
Phone: 1-866-509-7332 or 704-509-9210
Email: sales@braketechsolutions.com



General Motors Disc Kits/Power Kits
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Name: BTS
Date: 02/08/10
Message: All questions please refer to our contact page to EMAIL us otherwise we cannot contact you. Thanks, BTS



General Motors Disc Kits/Power Kits | 1963-1964 Corvette Disc Brake Kit
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Custom Kit Info Form

Please use this form and send it in with your spindles for your custom disc brake kit.

Thanks BTS

 

Cool, that will allow forum members to provide more informed feedback to your specific question.

 

I purchased a kit from Corvette Central a few years back. It uses 69 or later spindles with stock Corvette calipers and rotors.

Wilwood makes an aluminum caliper which is a direct replacement for the stock Corvette (comes with braided lines too). Vette Brakes sells a two piece rotor which is a direct replacement for the stock Vette rotor.

 

I got the drum to disk kit from ssbc. It was complete. It came with a new dual master cylinder, adjustable proprting valve along with all the lines needed for the conversion. I've had the kit on for three years now and never had an issue. The only problem I had was the wheel studs were too short for my aftermarket wheels. I'm pretty sure the kit fits with 15 inch wheels but I had 16 inch at the time so I'mnot 100% sure but thier tech support was very responsive and answered any questions I had.

http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/t/t/ttoptony/DrumBrakeConversion.htm

 

My 63 has 65 spindles,trailing arms and calipers. Although I have heard it's not needed,my frame was relieved for the rear calipers when the conversion was done. Previous owner had all this done. Happily it was done right.

 

Its not that hard, really. When I bought mine, the disc brakes were already hung on the front, it looks like the spindles came off of a 70/71 Corvette. I used the 67 Corvette master cyl and installed a dist. and resid. valve just like Toddalin cause a 1st gen. Camaro disc/drum master cyl. wouldnt fit under my hood.

 

im still trying to source a full 4 wheel disc brake conversion for a 1963 corvette.

i need zero offset and fitment of knock off wheels.

hotrodsusa/partscityusa already stole my money and never sent me anything and changed all their phone numbers.

im now looking for another vendor.