question for front disc conversion?

olds1968 · February 16th, 2008, 09:19 PM

i have drums all around and i was wondering if i can put disc/drum master cylinder first then add the disc brakes later on or do i have to put everything at the same time?

don71 · February 17th, 2008, 07:06 AM

You need to do it at the same time of swap.

Jolly Green · February 17th, 2008, 11:06 AM

Can you add the front discs first or do you have to add at all four corners? I wanted to upgrade to discs all around but I figured I'd have to do it in stages for monetary reasons.

joe_padavano · February 17th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolly Green

Can you add the front discs first or do you have to add at all four corners? I wanted to upgrade to discs all around but I figured I'd have to do it in stages for monetary reasons.

The master cylinder MUST match the brake configuration. Four wheel drums needs an all-drum M/C. Disk/drum needs a disk/drum M/C. Four wheel disks need an all-disk M/C. Converting to front disks is easy, since this was a factory option. You can do that now, then add the rear disks later, but you'll need to swap the M/C again at that time.

I would also add that you should become more informed about automotive braking systems before attempting to do any of these swaps yourself. This is a real safety issue, not just for yourself but for other people on the road.

68conv455 · February 17th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Does this hold true for power drum brakes? Just wondering.

Jolly Green · February 17th, 2008, 02:49 PM

So basically if I want to front disc now, I'd have to get a disc/drum master, then when I add rear disc I'd have to buy another disc/disc master? So it would be more cost effective to save up and do them all at once, right?

joe_padavano · February 17th, 2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolly Green

So basically if I want to front disc now, I'd have to get a disc/drum master, then when I add rear disc I'd have to buy another disc/disc master? So it would be more cost effective to save up and do them all at once, right?

Yes, but a rebuilt disk/drum M/C is $17 at Partsamerica.com. In the total cost of a four wheel disk brake swap, this is peanuts. Frankly (depending on the condition of your suspension), when you swap the front spindles, you MIGHTASWELL rebuild the front suspension. If the front end is worn, this is probably a higher priority for your cash than rear disks.

joe_padavano · February 17th, 2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68conv455

Does this hold true for power drum brakes? Just wondering.

Yes. Power or manual isn't the problem, it's the type of brakes. You do need to get the correct M/C for manual or power, however.

Jolly Green · February 17th, 2008, 05:46 PM

I was just doing some searching and found a front disc conversion kit from OPGI for a 68 442/Cutlass for about $850. Has calipers, spindles, lines, master brake cylinder, power booster, rotors and pads. Bearings are packed and ready for install. Sounds like a decent deal. You can upgrade to slotted/drilled rotors for an extra $100.
What do you guys think?

2blu442 · February 17th, 2008, 08:01 PM

There's something to be said for getting a kit with everything you need. I've pulled used ones from parts cars and rebuilding them is less expensive. In my part of the country used sets will cost $250-300, then new bearings, rebuilt calipers with new pads, new rubber hoses, rebuilt master cylinder. If you get used though remember to get the "L" shaped bracket off the frame that the rubber hose attaches to (different on drum setups) and the brake distribution valve.

olds1968 · February 17th, 2008, 08:14 PM

dont the disc m/c just have a larger resevoir for the larger capacity that the calipers use than the drum m/c for the wheel cylinder.

joe_padavano · February 18th, 2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olds1968

dont the disc m/c just have a larger resevoir for the larger capacity that the calipers use than the drum m/c for the wheel cylinder.

NO. The pistons are different sizes also. Once again, you MUST match the M/C to the brake system configuration. Not sure how many times we need to say this in this thread.

shaks 442 clone · February 18th, 2008, 08:58 PM

ummm everything you guys are saying sounds true but when i bought my car it had 4 wheel drums and a disc brake master cylinder on it when i did the front disc swap all i did was get brake hoses, new steel lines, the spindles, calipers, brakes, brake fluid, and i re used the master cylinder on it

that was just my experience and i drove the car like that for a good 3 months no problems

February 16th, 2008, 09:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
olds1968 member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 35	question for front disc conversion? i have drums all around and i was wondering if i can put disc/drum master cylinder first then add the disc brakes later on or do i have to put everything at the same time? __________________

February 17th, 2008, 07:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
don71 feed the pig Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 226	You need to do it at the same time of swap. __________________ 1971 Cutlass S Holiday coupe-455/th400 3.23 Oldsmobile they were meant to be driven.

February 17th, 2008, 08:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
2blu442 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 2,195	There's something to be said for getting a kit with everything you need. I've pulled used ones from parts cars and rebuilding them is less expensive. In my part of the country used sets will cost $250-300, then new bearings, rebuilt calipers with new pads, new rubber hoses, rebuilt master cylinder. If you get used though remember to get the "L" shaped bracket off the frame that the rubber hose attaches to (different on drum setups) and the brake distribution valve. __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1967 Cutlass four door daily driver 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

February 17th, 2008, 08:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
olds1968 member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 35	dont the disc m/c just have a larger resevoir for the larger capacity that the calipers use than the drum m/c for the wheel cylinder. __________________

February 18th, 2008, 08:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
shaks 442 clone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: hayward, california Posts: 235	ummm everything you guys are saying sounds true but when i bought my car it had 4 wheel drums and a disc brake master cylinder on it when i did the front disc swap all i did was get brake hoses, new steel lines, the spindles, calipers, brakes, brake fluid, and i re used the master cylinder on it that was just my experience and i drove the car like that for a good 3 months no problems __________________ my cutlass as of 08/27/2007

February 17th, 2008, 11:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jolly Green Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 151	Can you add the front discs first or do you have to add at all four corners? I wanted to upgrade to discs all around but I figured I'd have to do it in stages for monetary reasons.

February 17th, 2008, 12:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
68conv455 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 248	Does this hold true for power drum brakes? Just wondering.

February 17th, 2008, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jolly Green Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 151	So basically if I want to front disc now, I'd have to get a disc/drum master, then when I add rear disc I'd have to buy another disc/disc master? So it would be more cost effective to save up and do them all at once, right?

February 17th, 2008, 05:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jolly Green Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 151	I was just doing some searching and found a front disc conversion kit from OPGI for a 68 442/Cutlass for about $850. Has calipers, spindles, lines, master brake cylinder, power booster, rotors and pads. Bearings are packed and ready for install. Sounds like a decent deal. You can upgrade to slotted/drilled rotors for an extra $100. What do you guys think?

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