I am the proud owner of a 67' Valiant, its has only had 1 owner, its got original everything and only around 150k on it. With the slant 6 170 It runs like a top and gets pretty decent fuel economy. Anyways its in pretty good shape with the exception of the front braking system. It has 9" drums all the way around, which I dont have too many problems with.

Heres the deal, Taking them apart I snaped off 3 studs on each side. It also needs new drums, hardware, wheel cylinders etc. I visted a couple of parts stores and they said I would also need new hubs as the old ones are shot.

This is now starting to get expensive... the only place here in washington state that I can find the hubs wants $80 a piece for them. Not to mention around $60-$70 per drum and new hardware, pads, wheel cylinders, new studs, and I need new front lines too. Then theres the cost to have the studs pressed.... By the time I am done, I am looking at about $250 a side minimum.

Now I have a seires of questions for ya-

Is it worth it? Should I pony up the dough, or possibly convert this thing over to discs? If so how much would you estimate costs and just how difficult is this? Is there a guide somewhere? Would this vastly improve breaking? Would I have to do any serious modifcations? Also what model vehicles would be a good donor car for this?

Thanks for your time...
Will (aka: Confused in Seattle)

chugg@usa.com

Here is my two cents...

I would imagine that everyone here would agree that disc will by far outperform drum brakes. If I am not mistaken, if you can find an A-body close to 1973 with front disc, it was all swap over. I think you can keep your control arms, but you may need different ball joints. You will also need new brakes hoses and a dual cavity master cylinder.

Anything else, anyone?

admin@vsaconnect.com

'73-76 A-bodies have front discs w/ 4.5" bolt pattern. You need the upper control arms and spindles too.

Lou

I have a complete 9" setup left over from the disk brake conversion on my '65 Dart. It has good drums, brake shoes, wheel cyliners, ball joints and includes the upper and lower arms and struct rods. It actually looks like somebody redid the whole system before I aquired the car. I will let this go for considerably less then the $500 to redo your setup. I'm located in Everett, if you are interested, drop me an e-mail.

Thanks



klesteb@aol.com

You want a set of 9" drums with good hubs? I've got a set off my Dart that I didn't get rid of when I converted it to discs. $35 plus shipping and they're yours. Let me know if you're interested.

mcramer@po.cwru.edu