Ok folks, I've read all the CBB threads but I can't remember if this has come up. So could you share some knowledge and info.

I have been offered the entire power brakes, spindles, MC, etc. from an 85 Olds Cutlass Supreme for my 67 Malibu Coupe. My son and I are redoing this 67. We're about to pull the frame out from under the body and redo it. We had planned to do one of those "everything you need is included" front disk conversion kits. But they are a little expensive and if this will work, why not take advantage of the offer. Will it?

Here are some of my questions: (you guys always say to ask away redface.gif )

- Are the Cutlass Supreme rotors etc, the same as the Monte Carlo SS everybody seems to use?

- What parts canI/do I use from the Olds?

- Is there a proportioning valve in the MC of the Olds or is it in the distribution block? Doesn't look like the booster and MC will fit the Malibu. Will it? (re: fender clearance)

- What the heck is a "tall spindle"? Is this what's on the Cutlass?

- Do I need to bring the spidles over? If so, will they fit the 67 Chevelle A frames? If not, what do I do?

- How about the tie rod ends, etc. etc.?

- Will I need to go to 15 inch wheels?

- Which is better, 2" drop spindles or 2" drop springs?

- Is this whole thing more trouble than it's worth given we have an entire car to rebuild?

Man, can you tell I need a little help. I guess that's why they sell those kits.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance graemlins/thumbsup.gif

/herb

BTW - We have access to any tools needed.

Oh Yeah, the entire Olds, minus engine, is sitting there so I can pull any parts needed.
/herb

Herb,
You can do this swap and it is a tall spindle swap but the reason it is frowned upon is the smaller rotor size.
Try looking up the rotors on napaautoparts for each car if the part # is the same so are the rotors.
There is a proportion valve on the left frame rail below the drivers foot area.
I think the upper ball joint will fit but the lowers need replacing with turned down ball joints.Not sure on the tie rods.
Most 14 inch wheels won,t fit disc brakes so I think your gonna need new wheels.
IMO the tall spindle swap is best used when you want a pro touring corner carver type ride.The easiest swap for front discs is still 69 - 72 disc setup.
PS the prices I've seen for the 69 72 setup are usually in the 250 to 500 range depending on what parts are included.

Thanks John. That's what I needed to know. Doesn't sound like I'm going to get the best bang for my bucks (and sweat) with this swap.

PS the prices I've seen for the 69 72 setup are usually in the 250 to 500 range depending on what parts are included.

By that I'm assuming you mean the kits from SS Brakes and/or others, right? If not, where do you get a conversion kit for $500???

/h

Why don't you do this:
Get a set of spindles off of a mid 80's station wagon from the junk yard. They charge like $20 per spindle around here. Get the Caprice/Impala calipers and brake hoses, the Camaro 1Le rotors (you will need metric lugs for these), the lower ball joints from Hotchkis for the tall spindle swap ($65 for the pair), and the Moog offset upper control arm shafts ($100). I just put this setup on a 70 frame it it worked out rather well I must say. I'm going to put this setup on the next car I build. The best thing is you use all your stock A arms. So you will end up spending around You will end up spending like $800 to completely redo the front end as opposed to spending $900 for a disc brake conversion. You can get a new booster at any auto parts store with a master cylinder on it already. You would also need to swipe a combo valve from any GM car 1971 and newer. You can even take the master cylinder off of a B body GM since it has a bigger bore and pushed more fluid through the system.
The brakes off the Cutlass will work, but will be inadequate for a Chevelle anyways. They are inadequate on the 86 Cutlass I have. I am tempted to put the B body spindles on mine so it stops better.

Herb,
The price range I quoted was just from stuff I've seen for sale,mostly on TC classifieds and other on-line sources.A set just sold recently in the members classifieds.You have to be patient and keep looking.Remember you really only need the spindles,steering arm and caliper brackets.The rotors,bearings and seals,calipers and pads are all available at any good parts store.
Tom,
Thats some good advise on the b-body swap,I didn,t know that hotchkis had a premachined LBJ available.Do they modify a Moog BJ or start with their own? Also,what outer tie rod do you use with that setup?

It's a B body Moog ball joint machined down to fit in the Chevelle lower control arm. I believe you use a G body outer tie rod with that. We have not put up the steering linkage as of yet. We only got as far as putting the supsension on so we can at leat roll the frame around. I'll see if I can find out for sure, but someone else may chime in before hand.

Thanks Blue!! That's a little easier description on what it takes than the entire CBB process. I might be able to handle this. Please let me know the rest of the process when you get it done (steering, alignment settings, etc.) Also, what size wheels are you using (like stock 15" ralleys or what size Cragars)? Is backspacing a problem? graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks 71350ss. I hear you about the patience thing. I'm just trying to figure out how we're get all this stuff done. The list keeps growing at a faster rate than shinking graemlins/clonk.gif

BTW, I notice both you guys are in NJ. I'm orginally from Dover.

Oh yeah, anybody wanna address my dropped spindle vs lowering springs question? I still have a gap in my knowledge (besides the one between my ears :D )

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by BlueSS454:
Why don't you do this:
Get a set of spindles off of a mid 80's station wagon from the junk yardWhich brand station wagon? Anything GM? Is there a particular year in the mid 80's to get?


Get the Caprice/Impala calipers and brake hoses, the Camaro 1Le rotorsWhat year cars would these be?


You would also need to swipe a combo valve from any GM car 1971 and newer. Where is the combo vavle located? What is it? Is it like a prop valve?

LXS,

1st answer: any GM station wagon will do the job. The things to look for are the rotors filling up and backing plates and the 5 on 5 bolt pattern. I pulled the spindles I used off of a 94 Caprice taxi cab I found in the junkyard. It had a commercial chassis so it was the perfect donor

2nd answer: use the calipers and brake hoses from said vehicle the spindles came off of. The 1Le rotors come off of any GM F body from 89-91, but like I said, they do have metric wheel studs in them.

3rd answer: The combo valve is the proportioning valve. It is located down on the frame on the driver side. You will need this so that the brakes will properly operate.

Herb,

You can run 15 inch rims since that is what all of those 80's wagons and full size cars had on them. You can run a 4.5"-5" backspacing.

Dover huh? Rt 80 east bumper to bumper at 630 am. graemlins/clonk.gif
Two good things about the 1Le rotors,they have the 4 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern and the metric studs are a little bigger and stronger than the 7/16 stock studs.

Two good things about the 1Le rotors,they have the 4 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern and the metric studs are a little bigger and stronger than the 7/16 stock studs. any GM F body from 89-91...they do have metric wheel studs in them.Would or could those studs be taken out and replaced with standard studs? Or is it better to just use the lugs that came with them? Also, I'm assuming the 1LE is an F body that came with a 350, right? Cause I don't think the disc brakes off a 6 cylinder F body would do much good on a "heavy Chevy"...or am I wrong?

Blue,
Now I'm getting confused (and I don't think I'm alone). Sorry, some of us old timers and newbies need the extra help.

re: 1st answer: any GM station wagon will do the job. The things to look for are the rotors filling up and backing plates and the 5 on 5 bolt pattern.

Blue, you lost me on this one. "Rotors filling"?? Is 5X5 the standard pattern for a Chevelle 15" wheel?? My thoughts are, don't you create a real hassle when it comes time to buy wheels? With all these different parts, how would you know what wheels/mags to order? graemlins/clonk.gif


re: 1LE F body
Could you put that in english for the confused.

re: 4 X 4 3/4 bolt pattern
You aren't saying 4 lugs on a 4 3/4" spacing are you?!?

71350SS, I hear ya re: 80E. But, see my location in my sig.

Special thanks for all the input from you experienced folks. Obviously there are a lot of us that still have many questions even AFTER we do a search and read all the threads. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

re: 1LE F body
Could you put that in english for the confused.

re: 4 X 4 3/4 bolt pattern
You aren't saying 4 lugs on a 4 3/4" spacing are you?!?

71350SS, I hear ya re: 80E. But, see my location in my sig.

Doh, That should have been 5 x 4 3/4 graemlins/clonk.gif

An F-body is Camaro/firebird,thats been their GM
designation since 1967.1-Le rotors are the high-performance brakes.Like the ones on an IROC-Z28 or a WS-6 Trans Am.
I saw your VA location,stop bragging will ya. ;) :D

You won't use the rotors off of a B-body car (wagon or other fullsize car) so just disregard them. The standard lug pattern for a Chevelle is 5 on 4.75 which is what the 1Le rotors are. What I meant by the reference to the rotors on the B-body is that they will be the same size as the backing plates. That is the easiest way to identify the correct spindle you need.

OK Guys, now I'm getting the flick. Must be the Jersey genes kicking in :D

I'm gonna keep this thread handy since I'm almost ready to start on the frame of of the 67. The body is nearly ready to lift off. Only have to disconnect the steering, brake line and drop the tank.

Again, THANKS!!! I'll let you know if I get confused during this process. graemlins/beers.gif

Will ANY GM station wagon work?

I thought it was just the full-size (Caprice, etc). Don't the Malibu (mid-sized) wagons have the smaller brakes again? When did they stop making the Mid-size wagons?