Disc Conversion Question: Kit or Junkyard?

Hi guys...this is my first post here.

I have a 1972 Skylark Custom 4-Dr sedan that is a nice, clean daily driver that I plan on keeping indefinitely as a family car. I want to convert the front drums to discs. It looks like I can get a kit with everything for about $500. My question is this: Is it going to be cheaper to spend the time to source the parts out of a junkyard and then rebuild the calipers, master cyl, etc. or is it better to just by a kit with all new or reman parts?

My second question is whether or not the stock steel wheels will work with the discs...I read that the rallyes were different for drums vs. discs, but what about the steel wheels. Also, as the car will eventually get rallyes, what size and source cars do I need to be looking for?

Thanks in advance.

 

Have you checked out the kits at www.scarebird.com

They use a lot of easily available parts that you can get at the local auto parts store.

 

That's interesting....so they're using the stock spindles then...they basically have just a bracket that holds the calipers. A few things concern me....no backing plate and the fact they're using calipers from a 1990 Chevy Celebrity, which doesn't seem like the caliper would be built to stop a big heavy Skylark...also, you'd still need the prop. valve and new master cylinder right?

Have you or anyone you know used these kits? What was required and what were the pros/cons?

Thanks.

Edit: Looks like you can get a similar kit except using Park Ave. calipers and late '70's Buick rotors....Autozone has the calipers for $22.00 each...for that kind of money you could do all four wheels for less than a grand.... hmmm...

 

I haven't used one, but they're local so I figure that when the time comes I'll look into it. You can always contact them and ask your questions.

I think what they're doing is trying to find easy to find (and inexpensive) pieces that can be retrofitted by using the bracket they supply.

 

Personally, if it works like it they say it does, I think it's a fantastic idea. Looks like the calipers and rotors they're using are very cheap and easy to get...plus, its a much less invasive modification because you're using the stock spindles. I'm going to call them Monday. Thanks for the info!

 

$ 500.00 for a complete kit sounds pretty cheap relative to scrounging around yards & bringing home old parts, not to mention the time involved. I did this with mine & ended up buying new spindles at the end. Found out later the donor car had been cart-wheeled a few times & the spindle was slightly bent,
Stock wheels will fit the disc set-up.

 

That's kind of what I thought, especially considering it may be a giant PITA to get spindles off in the middle of a junkyard. I'm gonna check out this Scarebird deal...looks like it's easier and, if done right, could mean I could do the whole car for only slightly more than a front-only kit would be.

 

Using junkyard parts isn't too difficult. Most places will pull the items for you.
On the other hand, using a kit with all new parts definitely has it's benefits.

 

you can use your spindels with junk yard calipers

the is a little tab that has to be grinded off and they disk brakes will bolt right up on the drum spindels

do a search there is a guy who had done his on here

 

I wouldn't trust my life and car to a scarebird conversion. how many thousands of dollars do you think they spent on R&D and engineering? I'm betting not enough. I have went the way of junkyard conversion a few times amd by the time you buy rebuilt calipers, new rotors and wheel bearings and all the other small parts it's just as economical to buy a new kit.

 

Stock wheels for your car will fit but as I read your post, you are going to be looking for rally wheels to replace your stock wheels. Be sure to get wheels for the later model Skylark. I know the stock 14" Rallys for the '65 Skylark will not fit over the caliper. They need more offset which was provided in later cars to clear the calipers.

On my '65 I went the wrecking yard approach and replaced everything that needed replacing. That was about 8 years ago and the parts were readilly available as well as reasonable. Nowadays, if you can find a complete setup, they want too much $ for them. I would go with either using price as my guide. I also like using OEM stuff on my car even though it may not be "correct" for my particular car/year. You will love the conversion!

 

I used one of the 500$ kits and have to say it was worth the price, if you don't mind rebuilding things like calipers and such then the junk yard stuff can save you $, I liked that I didn't have to spend alot of time cleaning things before painting them and that it was all new parts.

Steve

 

junk yard conversion price $ 250.00 -300.00
new( quality) rebuilt calipers 75.00
New quality rotors 100.00-150.00
wheel bearings and seals 50.00
new brake hoses 50.00
new dust shields 75.00
new master cylinder for discs 75.00

500.00-600.00 for a brand new conversion with all the parts is a wise choice and the parts are new so they look good when installed

 

This issue comes up a lot---I don't understand why people don't
buy NEW parts,especially for BRAKES,not like replacing a bulb,battery tray,
swaybar,or widshield wiper. Your brakes stop your car or at least they are
supposed to. There are so many vendors selling the same thing the prices on
new stuff are very reasonable,not to mention a lot have a warranty. Pete

 

So as long as I get the rallyes from, say, a early to mid 70's car I should be fine, even if they're 14"?

 

That's kind of what I'm starting to think. At first, I thought that if a guy could do it all on junkyard parts for ~$150 or so it'd be worth it, but by the time you get done buying rotors, rebuilding calipers and replacing bearings and such, not to mention the time spent to get the parts, it's almost a wash price-wise to just get a kit with all brand new stuff in it.

Next question: How much of a PITA is it to mount the prop. valve and run lines? I assume a lot of the lines problems would be eliminated with the kit, but is the frame drilled to mount the prop valve, or do I need to drill holes to mount it correctly? (sorry for the noob questions)

Thanks again for all the help from you guys.

 

direct fit brakes

check this out it's for complete sets

 

YES!

 

I was working on a drum to disc set up. The problem with the set up I created was it wont allow the stock wheels to fit. However stopping on a dual caliper 11 inch set up should be no problem (98 Trans Am front set up on a drum brake spindal and hub). I can supply the brackets and a list of parts you can buy most anywhere and set this up. The brackets are like around $30 the rest is easy to do

 

I have done significant research on this, and I plan to convert to discs this fall. The problem with using junkyard parts is only that they are scarce. If you can get them, go for it.

I am basing lots of my confidence on this:

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=105503&highlight=scarebird