Went to the boneyards today in search of a B-body spindle with 12" brakes. Still on cars all I could find were 11" brakes. He had a set on the shelf that he insured me had originally had 12" rotors but they were not on there for me to measure to verify. My question is this: is there a difference between the spindles that mounted 11" vs 12" rotors? The only measurement that I did get was from the center of the spindle to the bolt hole for the caliper mounting was approx 6". Can anyone tell me if this is the right one for a 12" rotor.

thanks

As for the spindles, not sure on the measurement, but the spindles are different... Maybe measure the 11-inch setups you found and compare that to the guys 12-inch spindle...

When I was looking for the 12" spindles, the only place I found them was on station wagons. Mine are from an 88 Caprice wagon. I must have checked 25 sedans and all were 11". Of the 8 or 10 wagons I checked, only 2 were 11". Olds and Buick wagon spindles will work too.

The rotors do measure slightly less than advertised.

http://www.globalwest.net/1964-72%20disc_brake_conversion_informatio.htm

following this link should take you to globalwest's page that provides a list of donor cars for 11 and 12 inch discs.

I think there is a difference in the distance between the holes for the caliper bolts because on the 12" ones, the caliper mounts farther out. I have a set of 11" spindles in storage but I won't be able to maesure them until Monday at the earliest. I have 12" ones on the car that I can compare to.
Also, I forget who here did it but if you do a search on "Cheap Big Brakes" or "CBB" you should come up with reams of info in the subject.

Jeff

just so happens that i have a set of "small" B body spindles off a 77 Impala 2 door sport coupe, and a set of "big" B body spindles off a 92 Caprice cop car. the big ones sure weigh a hell of a lot more than the small ones. these are complete with rotors and calipers installed. maybe i can get them side by side and take some pics of them complete, as well as with them "dissected".
as for sure fire donor cars, just look for any 77 and newer cop cars, taxis, and station wagons. pretty much any 91 and newer B body got the HD brakes- if it's shaped like a bubble, it's got HD parts. if in doubt, look to see what the wheel bolt pattern is- the cars with the HD parts have the big 5X5 pattern with a bigger hub in the middle that a small bolt pattern wheel won't fit over. they also have HUGE rear drum brakes on those cars- you'll know it when you see it. after you look at a few, you will be able to spot the differences on sight. last thing- the 94 and newer B bodies used a lighter but stronger spindle with a slightly different caliper design, but older calipers MIGHT bolt on.

Thanks for the replys guys but my problem still remains.
First off all the ones I found with 11" rotors were actually sitting on them so I wouldn't be able to compare without jacking up the car in the yard, pulling the caliper, rotor ... there has go to be an easier way. ;)
Second, I didn't even see a likely candidate, slim pickins around here. Not a single full size wagon or old cop car or taxi ... nothin'. graemlins/sad.gif
The ones that he did have were in a parts shed, tagged and inventoried, he thinks that they are 12" but I'd really like to make sure so I don't lay out $80 for nothing.

There has got to be some measurement that I can take off them to verify that they are indeed 12" spindles and not 11"'s. Anyone???

novaderrik; as always pictures would be :cool:

Maybe you could bring a 12 inch rotor and some bearings with you to see if it fits.Nowadays most parts store will let you return parts and your going to need rotors anyway?

Originally posted by the walrus:
There has got to be some measurement that I can take off them to verify that they are indeed 12" spindles and not 11"'s. Anyone???
ttt :D