[stano]

We had a post earlier about using 70 to 72 Monte Carlo for donor disc brakes for our 69. However, the Monte Carlo is now not available. We were curious if Camaro or Nova would have spindles, rotors, or steering sector for power steering or if brake boost would work also. We realize that not all the parts would be able to interchange. From the earlier post we read that someone was having trouble with ball joints from a 74 Monte Carlo, are we correct in assuming that the 73 to about 77 will not interchange to 69 Chevelle. Anyone having knowledge to help us find out what kind of donor car would work for us would be appreciated. Or maybe we should just back up and search for 69 to 72 Chevelle or 70 to 72 Monte Carlo with disc brakes. Also, we would like to use the SS 14" rims. Thank you.
Stano

[Bob Tiley]

Any 69 to 72 A-Body Olds, Buick, Pontiac, Chevy - Including but not limited to Chevelle, Cutlass, Skylark, Tempest, Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Nova or 69 Camaro. The Nova and 69 Camaro setup is the same, the only difference is you need to use the steering arms that are bolted to your existing spindles that hook them up to your tie rods.

[drptop70ss]

The front disks from any 69-74 nova will work, the most common of these to find with disks is the 74, earlier models usually had drums..likewise more 73 novas have disks than 69-72's..as stated you will need your steering arms off your drum spindles, but everything else will fit (spindles out, booster with master cylinder, proportioning valve). You dont need to change tie rods or any steering linkage to go to disks.

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv

[stano]

Thank you Bob Tiley and drptop70ss. You have saved me days if not weeks for me trying to figure this out on my own. After reading your replies I immediately went on the prowl to put to use what I learned with your help. I think I have the 1969 disk brake spindles figured out with a comparison of the other cars. I was able to compare them to a 70 to 72 Monte Carlo and a 74 Nova and I see how the 74 Nova will work from the spindles out because of the rear steer. Also from your help I learned and saw on the cars themselves that the 73 to 77 Monte Carlo, Olds, Buick, Pontiac, 70 Camaro and up, and 75 Nova and up spindles are different and do not have the bolt on steering arms. But seeing these cars has raised another question, from first glance the rotors look somewhat like 69 Chevelle rotors. Are these rotors interchangable with 69 Chevelle? Also are the calipers interchangable with 69 Chevelle? Thank you for your help and I will be heading back out to the junk yard.
Stano

[drptop70ss]

some of the rotors and calipers will fit, but I would buy new rotors, they are only about $75 each new, and I would get rebuilt calipers at the auto parts store just to get the right ones, a lot of them look the same but have different mounting points for the hoses..junkyard parts will need rebuilding anyway...if you still want used most yards have a hollander exchange manual and can tell you exactly what parts from what cars are interchangable..

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv

[69SSDropTop]

Stano,
Just so you know, I'm doing the same conversion to my 69 convertible right now, and I got new rotors from a local parts supply for $35.00 each, and rebuilt calipers from Murray's for $12.99 each. So it's probably just as cheap to search for some new parts too.

Dave,
Team Chevelle #373
69 SS convertible

[stano]

I was able to find a Hollander book but the rotors and calipers in Camero only went back to 70. Nova went back to 75 and Chevelle, Olds, Buick & Pontiac went to 73. I'm getting the feeling that 69 to 72 Chevelle are different than the next generation of 73 to 77's. I am kind of a junkyard guy and enjoy trying to find correct casting numbers and dates (not to mention finding a piece that is still standard) which we did on another car. However, with the 69 Chevelle we are more interested in turning the key and making it a 3 season daily driver. It wasn't even a thought that we could get the rotors and calipers new at the parts store. We are glad you mentioned it and after thinking about it I would prefer it. I called about four local places here in Central Iowa and found Bendix rotors from $65 to $75 each. Also Foster rotors for $50. Also Paddock has some for $114 each. Calipers from $17 to $21 exchange, usually a $10 core. If anyone knows of a better deal elsewhere, I would like to know. Once again, that you drptop70ss and 69SSDropTop for your help.
Stano

[drptop70ss]

Glad to help, this is what its all about.. good luck!

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv