I decided im gonna upgrade to front disc brakes-on my 68 dart 270. We replaced the original 13" rims with Summit rally 14" - small 5x4 bolt pattern- 6" wide.
Are the kits they sell the way to go? Which One? Can the average Joe tackle this project?
Any recommended place to purchase the kit?
All info always appreciated from this great forum!
HAPPY MOTORING

I thought this was a good price. Any idea if they are good quality or not?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330762316708?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

brian

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Depends on what you mean by average Joe. I think if you're generally mechanically inclined and can follow directions, then yes. Since this is a very critical part of your car's safety features, just make sure to be careful to use the correct proportioning valve, install the hardware properly, test the system thoroughly before jumping into traffic, then yes, an average Joe can do this.

That all said, I've never done it, but plan to soon. My plan is to install all the hardware, do some tests, but then take it to the shop for proper alignment and have them double check my work.

Backing up a bit, do you have 5 x 4" (small) bolt pattern drums or large bolt pattern. If you are changing to large bolt pattern from small, you'll also need the upper control arms that take the larger ball joint and the lower ball joint as well.

The Ram man sells a kit with a crush sleeve (shim) to install using the smaller ball joint into the larger hole; fyi. See: http://www.theramman.com/component/virt ... l?Itemid=0

I'm sure folks will have lots of feedback for you.

brian

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expired

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. . . there was good sport at his making.

That Craigslist offering is the standard swap for A body disk brakes. The price is fair, but you will need to rebuild it with new bushings, ball joints and bearings. To figure your final price, add the cost of parts and labor to your base $299.

The sbp wheels you have will not fit this set up. If you wish to keep them, you will need to go with Ram Man's kit. I could not find his price, but the total might be competitive with the Craigslist offering.

I think in the end you may end up with LBP wheels anyway, as there is a huge array if choices there. The SBP wheels have a very limited selection of styles and sizes.

I was under the impression someone made a kit to bolt onto the older SBP steering knuckle. Do more research before you jump into this. Front end rebuilding is heavy duty blacksmith type work. You will want heavy gloves, a big hammer, and a pair of pickle forks or special ball joint pullers. Your local machine shop can press in the upper control arm bushings and bearing races if you don't want to, or cannot figure a way to get it done. Usually you can figure out a way to do this with c clamps, large sockets for drivers, and your big hammer. The upper ball joint requires a special socket. It is easy to get that ball joint cross threaded and ruin the upper control arm. I did that once 35 years ago, and ended up welding the ball joint in.

This is a very worthwhile project. Sam

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Sam,

I believe the Ram man charges about $600 for his kit, that was when I checked last year.

Yes, with some sockets, special ball joint socket, pickle fork, large hammer, some clamps, a good vice, you can do this, but it is as Sam says, heavy duty work. So far, off the car, I've pressed in my upper control arm bushings and installed the upper ball joints into the control arms. On the car, I've swapped to a 73-76 style K-frame and steering assembly, upgraded my lower control arms with new bushings, welded in support plates, gusseted my steering box, new torsion bars, etc.. So, in my case, the brake job now will entail swapping out the for the new upper control arms, lower ball joint, spindles and brake hardware, proportioning valve and master cylinder (I'm going to power brakes) and on the rear swapping out the axles and installing larger drum brake setup.

It's a lot of work, but well worth the effort, huge savings on labor cost if you do it yourself, you know it was done carefully and correctly rather than wondering if the mechanic did what he was supposed to do and you have the satisfaction of learning how to do things with your own hands.

brian

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Yes, Sam, you are correct, the Ram man does have a SBP kit as well:

http://www.theramman.com/component/virt ... l?Itemid=0

b

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I went the Kelsey Hays SBP path. I was advised against it for wheel choices and parts availability reasons.

I rebuilt the calipers myself, sourced all the necessary parts, replaced the ball joints, yada yada yada... It all seems fine.

If I had it to do all over again... having had the experience that I now have... I would buy a BBP kit with all brand new parts. New wheels, control arms, calipers, rotors, master cylinder, proportioning valve, etc. Of course that means sourcing a BBP rear end, or at least axles that will fit your existing diff. But maybe you get larger drums with a new diff. Or go to disc brakes in back. The possibilities are endless.

For whatever those kits cost...$1,000 ??? The headaches saved are probably worth it. If you love doing the work, which I do, It can be done. It is worth the effort!

Neil

The BBP or LBP kits that I noted above were only $400 for the front, Kelsey Hayes, factory style. I bought one, the components are solid. They may be made in China, not sure, but the quality looks to be good. This is the best price I've seen for a front disk conversion. I had the upper control arms and upper and lower ball joints already.

b

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Gents,
I just did the ram man on my 64 Barracuda wanting to keep all as close to stock. I put on 14inch steel wheels with the factory wheel covers.

This kit was the big slider calipers, there ok, but rub on the rim, grinding and wheel spacers will be the only way.

BUT Neil,

Did you put the 14inch rims on? Do you have any rubbing? I would rather go with the Kelsey-Hayes like you did if I know for a fact no rubbing.

Oh my kit was 1000. 300 was in the rotors. 100 for the new master cylinder.

Neil I'd like to pic your brain if you have time on the phone some time.

Thanks Rick

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Rick
757-450-4907
Rick.Mopar@gmail.com
www.ricksradioconversions.com
ricks.radio.conversions@gmail.com
1964 Plymouth Barracuda
1965 Plymouth Valiant Signet
2009 Dodge Avenger
2010 Dodge Big Horn 1500

I recently converted my 67 Barracuda convertible from 9" drums to K-H discs. I bought the discs, hubs and calipers used on FABO (along with the safety switch/prop valve from the donor), then used the calipers as cores for new replacements. The discs weren't bad so I didn't even turn them (I was kind of on a tight time schedule), and I inspected and repacked the bearings. I had to buy new lower ball joints. I bought a rebuilt disc MC from Rock Auto and new hard lines from Fine Lines, and ceramic pads from Summit Racing. It wound up costing a little more than I expected, but they worked first time out (good thing -- it was a 900 mile backroad tour). I was familiar with these brakes since I have them on my fastback. They fit fine with 14 x 4.5 or 5.5 steelies or Rallies.

I like the performance of the 4-piston brakes, and I'm pretty committed to small bolt pattern. Others may have different priorities.

The one flaw right now is that the prop valve seems to be weeping a little fluid. I suppose it can be rebuilt, but I've never seen a kit for it.

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Max
1967 Barracuda Convertible

https://www.musclecarresearch.com/

I bought a kit for less than $20.00. It came with everything I needed.

I think there should be a part number stamped on the brass valve. And a tiny KH if the valve is a Kelsey Hayes valve.

Not certain, but this might be the one....

https://www.musclecarresearch.com/1970- ... ve-rebuild