Disk Brake Conversion

64Cutty · 02-07-2007, 11:26 AM

Hello all. I'm new to the Oldsmobile circle here and I just got a 2 door 64 f-85. Its running the 330 2 barrel and the 2 speed auto tranny with 4 wheel "suicide" aka manual drum brakes. I was wondering if anyone knew of a junkyard crawl style disk brake conversion. I dont want to buy a thousand dollar kit as I'm trying to build this car on a budget. But If I could get some parts from a yard and put them together to make it, I'm good with that. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

2blu442 · 02-07-2007, 06:05 PM

From what I understand the 1964-72 A body will all interchange. The 1970-72 are pretty common to find disc brakes on, and a Cutlass, Skylark, LeMans or Chevelle will all work. Also, the wagon or 4 door cars would work. I've been told, but am less sure that the 1973-4 Nova, Omega, Skylark type cars will work too, but with the steering linkage behind the crossmember you have to swap the spindle sides, the right on the left, then left on the right. Be sure you get all the pieces, the distribution block on the frame and the little "L" brackets where the rubber hose from the caliper to the frame are different on drum and disc brakes. I've put 70-72 disc's on 1968-69 cars and it's a bolt on application. John

Oldsguy · 02-08-2007, 04:29 AM

Welcome to our site! Hope you get your disc brake set-up you want.

64Cutty · 02-08-2007, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the replys fella's. Oldsguy thanks for the welcome. I only wish I would have seen the brake forum before I posted here. Kinda feel like a dumb arse for that one. Anyhow is there any other conversion that you know of. 2blu are there any other ones that you know of. Those cars you mentioned are hard to find in most boneyards you go to now a days. Even still I'll start looking around and seeing if I can find any them around these parts.

texasred · 02-08-2007, 12:44 PM

Welcome, 64.

I'm not sure if a 70-72 setup would work. I read on another site that it moves your wheels 1/2" outboard (enough to possibly scrape tire to fender on bumps). I don't know that for a fact (as if I know ANYTHING some days), it's just what I read.

If you find some in a yard, don't forget to snag the disc brake spindles too.

PM sent.

C.J.

jetsled · 02-09-2007, 06:51 PM

look on ebay for disc brake conversions...I forget the seller but for $6.95 i got a complete how to sheet with part nos for a non junkyard local parts store swap that costs very little....good info...several ways listed to do the swap all cheep and easy...don't waste money on a $1000 kit....

02-07-2007, 11:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
64Cutty Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Disk Brake Conversion Hello all. I'm new to the Oldsmobile circle here and I just got a 2 door 64 f-85. Its running the 330 2 barrel and the 2 speed auto tranny with 4 wheel "suicide" aka manual drum brakes. I was wondering if anyone knew of a junkyard crawl style disk brake conversion. I dont want to buy a thousand dollar kit as I'm trying to build this car on a budget. But If I could get some parts from a yard and put them together to make it, I'm good with that. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

02-07-2007, 06:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 775	Disc Brakes From what I understand the 1964-72 A body will all interchange. The 1970-72 are pretty common to find disc brakes on, and a Cutlass, Skylark, LeMans or Chevelle will all work. Also, the wagon or 4 door cars would work. I've been told, but am less sure that the 1973-4 Nova, Omega, Skylark type cars will work too, but with the steering linkage behind the crossmember you have to swap the spindle sides, the right on the left, then left on the right. Be sure you get all the pieces, the distribution block on the frame and the little "L" brackets where the rubber hose from the caliper to the frame are different on drum and disc brakes. I've put 70-72 disc's on 1968-69 cars and it's a bolt on application. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 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!

02-08-2007, 04:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,553	Welcome to our site! Hope you get your disc brake set-up you want. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

02-08-2007, 12:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	Welcome, 64. I'm not sure if a 70-72 setup would work. I read on another site that it moves your wheels 1/2" outboard (enough to possibly scrape tire to fender on bumps). I don't know that for a fact (as if I know ANYTHING some days), it's just what I read. If you find some in a yard, don't forget to snag the disc brake spindles too. PM sent. C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

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02-08-2007, 10:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
64Cutty Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Thanks for the replys fella's. Oldsguy thanks for the welcome. I only wish I would have seen the brake forum before I posted here. Kinda feel like a dumb arse for that one. Anyhow is there any other conversion that you know of. 2blu are there any other ones that you know of. Those cars you mentioned are hard to find in most boneyards you go to now a days. Even still I'll start looking around and seeing if I can find any them around these parts.

02-09-2007, 06:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
jetsled Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: florida/ohio Posts: 30	look on ebay for disc brake conversions...I forget the seller but for $6.95 i got a complete how to sheet with part nos for a non junkyard local parts store swap that costs very little....good info...several ways listed to do the swap all cheep and easy...don't waste money on a $1000 kit....