I decided to finally convert my front drums to discs and figured since I was doing the conversion I'd make a pictorial out of the process. The process that I used was from the parts list and instructions given by Derek69SS in this post. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115940 Thanks Derek! Below is the procedure that I went through.

First I removed the drum and then the brake shoes.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010029.JPG

Next I removed the hub and drum brake cylinder.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010033.JPG

Then I pulled off the backing plate.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010034.JPG

After That I loosely bolted up the disc caliper mounting plate to the bottom bolt of the spindle and rotated the bracket up so that I could scribe a mark on the top portion of the spindle to see where I needed to cut.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010035.JPG

After scribing the mark and doing some hacksawing I soon had a spindle surface that I could rotate the caliper mounting on to. I filed the surface to make it a flat as possable.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010037.JPG

I then bolted the caliper mounting bracket onto the spindle.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010039.JPG

After I verified fitment, I greased both bearing sets, mounted the rotor on the spindle and screwed the locking bolt onto the spindle.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010041.JPG

My next step was to attach the caliper on the newly mounted caliper brackets.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010042.JPG

The next step I took, most of you won't have to do. I had to cut a small portion of the caliper-mounting bracket off so that I could bend the bracket down about 1/10th of an inch because of the 14" wheels that I am using on the front of my car right now. After cutting the bracket, I installed the front brake line and tightened everything up.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010044.JPG

Here is the finished product, minus the master cylinder install. Installing the master cylinder was just two bolts and two brake lines. When I setup the proportioning valve I will add those pictures to this post.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/P1010046.JPG

Well here are the Master cylindar pictures after I added the adjustable proportioning valve. Getting the fittings to resize the lines was a bear.... but thanks to NAPA I finally got everything to fit.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/1242.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/jamesneliza/brakes/1244.jpg

Good pictures! I'm sure they will be helpful for those who are planning to convert their brakes (a sticky would probably be in order?). It was interesting to see how you modified the spindle while still on the car, never thought about doing it that way. :thumbsup:

Did you get all the parts from NAPA? What did this setup cost?

AWESOME post! I had my conversion by a local shop, because I didn't want to take a chance on doing something wrong. After all, it is the braking system!! But after seeing this, I think I could have given it a shot!
Great post. That is what this site is all about - sharing info that can help others. And nothing beats having PICS for reference.

Thanks guys, I was hoping this might help some folks.

Did you get all the parts from NAPA? What did this setup cost?

Yeah, I purchased everything for the conversion from NAPA with the exception of the Proportioning valve. The total cost was from NAPA was about $275.00. I purchased the proportioning valve off of Ebay for $40.00.

will this work with 14" tires ????????

will this work with 14" tires ????????

Yeah, it will work with 14" wheels. That's what I have on the front of my Chevelle, but you have to cut a small portion of the Caliper mounting bracket off and bend them down about 1/4" so they don't rub on the inside of the wheel. The second to last picture shows the cut portion of the caliper and the bends needed.

great job ..............thanks for the info

are the caliper brackets only available from Gound Up?????/ 79.95 each seems a little steep to me.I called Napa and they said they didn't have a part number for them which means they don't carry them

are the caliper brackets only available from Gound Up?????/ 79.95 each seems a little steep to me.I called Napa and they said they didn't have a part number for them which means they don't carry them

Glad this post helps ya, As for the Brackets, you can get them from these guys off of Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/64-72-Chevelle-New-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Mounting-Brackets_W0QQitemZ320030878813QQihZ011QQcategoryZ1 0076QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

It's the same bracket and the quality is good.

Excellent post, great pictures

Great pics---really surprised you could get them under 14" wheels.Gotta do
this to my 70 Big Block Buick---drums are so SCARY!!!! Pete

What master cylinder did you use? Did it require any mods to the rod.

What master cylinder did you use? Did it require any mods to the rod.

I went with a NAPA Master cylinder for a 72 Chevelle with front disc's and rear drums. The part number was 36306 or 4736306. They are both 1 1/8" bore master cylinders. I went with the 1 1/8" bore over the 1" bore because it moves more fluid and gives you a better feel of the road in my opinion. Plus if I decide to go to power brakes in the future, I can use the same master cylinder.

Thank you so much for that, it makes doing it all that much easier

Has anyone had alignment issues with the bracket not being perfectly straight on the spindle?

My fear is if I take off too much. I guess the worst thing that could happen would be uneven pad wear.

Hey James,
Thanks soooo much. I also have drums all around on my 69 BU. I want to go power and the conversion like you. Thanks for making it easy for me to make a decision. :thumbsup:

Marc :beers::beers:

wow this is great i am going to be doing my front brakes on my 64 this winter and this helps me out alot. i have been taking alot of photos aswell just have to figure out how to post them. so far i just been adding them to my site