Im looking for a good and hopefully cheap kit for front end bolt on disc brakes. The car: a 1967 Buick Riviera. The problem: Near total accident that would've been bad for my car, oh and my fiance too who was driving . Cause of new project: All around drum breaks don't seem to like to stop duing ungodly wet weather. ok, so my whole job from now till its done is to get this project completed, fiance is freaked out about the car now. now for Q & A! which master cyln. can/should i get, boneyard item or new item? as far as i know, the '67 riviera is an E Body car, is that correct? is this (honestly) more than i can handle? or should it be a professional job? ive seen step by step sites and it dont look TOO hard but ya never know, pros have a way of makin things look easy. uzzled: As with all my other (approx 112) posts id like any and all advice from any point of view. Thanks!
I only notice with my drums that they are fine unless you are going over 60 and try to stop fast. It seems like they heat up and fade. Perhaps you have other problems? Thin linings and drums can't absorb heat.......and air in the system will cause weak pressure. Also, if your linings are cheap or contaminated with oil or brake fluid that will cause problems. I have a pair of conversion brackets, but I'm not sold on the idea yet........the first problem is getting the right proportioning valve in there. You want the rears to apply first (just slightly), or else the car will nosedive when you apply the brakes. If they apply too hard, the rears will lock up and the car could fishtail on a panic stop. Not too safe! I'd bet you could use a master cyl. from a '71 - '76 along with the proportioning valve from the same years. Those have a pressure valve that goes to the fronts that will only apply them when the pressure is above about 100PSI, allowing the rears to apply first. Those cars are heavier but I don't think that would make that big of a difference. I would try it, but I don't want to make that big of a modification on my car........I'm waiting to find a stock set up first. :bglasses: And go with the new master cyl..........rebuilt's can leak. :Smarty:
I would think a valve from any car with similar weight would work OK but I've never tried it. :bglasses:
"cheap" and "brakes" are not words to be used in the same sentence. If the stock drum brake system is in good working order and adjusted properly, the brakes are more than adequate to stop the car even at high speeds. There was alot of engineering that went into the size of those drums. I suspect there are problems in your brake system and they may not be operating up to spec. Im not too thrilled with the conversion kits that Ive seen. Most seem like they were designed as a cheap means or way out of putting discs brakes on. I would question the research and testing thats been done on them (if any). If your really determined, I would try and find a complete stock disc brake setup if I were you.
This topic has been up for discussion a lot lately. I know I am more then interested in a disc brake set up that will IMPROVE my braking. And truthfully, the cheaper this can be done the better. Just a couple of random thoughts...... This seems like it would be a good project for the BPG. I know a lot of us are members, and these seems to be aimed right at one of the reasons it was founded. Developing new/better parts for our cars. Just a thought. At first glance the best set up seems to be the RRS brake conversion, but it is pretty pricey. Maybe if we got enough people together, they would be interested in doing a signifigant price break. Brett Schmahl
hey ive seen the rrs set up its about 1600.00 bucks very pricy. i drive a 67 riv ,my wife loves the car she says it the safest car shes ever driven .i also belive the drums are enough stoping power . a little note to all .always check brakes before they start grinding. if they get to the point to where they can not be turned you'll have a heck of a time finding a replacement and when you do it wil be pricy if anyone has a spare drum for the front in good to fair cond. let me know thanx for being out there, jose. :TU:
