Okay guys, I'm about ready to reassemble the front suspension but really don't want to put the old drum brakes back on. My 68SS has manual drum brakes. I'd like to add power front disc brakes, but I'm finding the available kits may not work with my 14 inch Keystone Raider spoked wheels and new BFG tires. Has anyone installed a disc conversion and been able to use 14 inch Keystone or Cragar style wheels? Is there a slightly smaller disc option that would allow the 14 inch wheel? If I have to put the drum brakes back on, how difficult to add the power boost option? Other than the booster and line, is a special metering valve needed or just use the original stuff?

I've already asked the various kit suppliers and got mixed results, few responded and one said maybe it will fit, maybe it won't, they wouldn't say for sure either way. I asked them for a measurement, hub center to the caliper edge, since they all seem to have display models, got no response.

Jeff
68SS in TX

Have you tried calling OPGI? They are pretty good. You could also contact "sloans" out of southern california, as he is a very reputable restorer of chevelles. I can get you his number if you want to email me. rodnamy@sbcglobal.net

Rod - Sent you an E-mail. All the kit sellers will say is the manufacturer of the kit recommends 15 inch or larger wheels, they won't say if the kit will work with the after market 14 inch wheels or not. If I could get a measurement from the hub center to the outer edge of an installed caliper, I could check that against my existing wheels. One shop said they would probably work okay, but they couldn't say for sure, if not they suggested using a smaller rotor, which is fine with me but the kit sellers don't offer a smaller rotor option, larger is available, but I haven't found smaller. Thanks for the help, appreciate it.

Jeff
68SS in TX

Jeff before we put the current wheels on my son's 70 we put the stock 14" wheels on after our disc brake conversion and they fit. Not sure if that helps or not. We used all GM original parts when we did the swap. Pete

Jeff before we put the current wheels on my son's 70 we put the stock 14" wheels on after our disc brake conversion and they fit. Not sure if that helps or not. We used all GM original parts when we did the swap. Pete

Pete - Greatly appreciate the info. I assume you didn't buy one of the popular conversion kits, just bought GM parts and did it that way, right? Any idea what size the rotors were? 11" or maybe slightly smaller? I think what I may do is just visit my Autozone guy, get one rotor and caliper, stock GM size for 68 or 69, and try it on the car. I can return them if they don't fit, if they fit, go get the rest of the stuff and finish it off. I just don't want to try returning a conversion kit shipped in for an experiment.

Thanks for the feedback on how you did it.

Jeff
68SS in TX

Correct no conversion kit. Bought a used 71 setup and replaced what needed to be replaced with new parts. Basically used the disc spindles, brackets, backing plates and got the rest from NAPA or O'Reilly's. Pete

O'Reilly's
Brake Calipers 18-4039, 18-4040
Disc pad set LMD52
Master Cylinder 10-1521
Hub/rotor 81-60232
Brake hose if you use drum frame brake F73242 if you use a disc brake bracket get the brake hose for a 71
Wheel Bearing Sets A2 and A6
Wheel seal 8705S

NAPA
Master Booster for 71 power disc, don't have number
Had to buy a hard brakeline for the driver front

GM
Combination Valve 25509418

Perfect! Best info I've received yet, now this is why this board is so much fun and valuable, sharing the good stuff! I finally got a response from one of the kit suppliers who says they can supply a smaller rotor, 10.75" I think he said, which they say works good with 14" wheels. And the Summit folks stell me that 14" wheels are the minimum size for their kit with 11" rotors, that my wheels will work, but other kits with that size rotor require 15" wheel minimum. I'm going to go by O'Reillys and AutoZone and check their stuff out and get busy, I want to get my front wheels back on!

Thanks

Jeff
68SS in TX