I finally got my SS Brakes installed on my 63 Dart.

It was a two-step process - first I had to locate spindles for 10 inch drums, then I had to have a shop install the brake kit.

They work SUPER WELL.

It's amazing what a difference disc brakes can make!

The shop also restored the front ride height to the proper level when they did the front end alignment, and so the car rides smoother (it was too low before).

The ONLY issue is that my RIGHT 225/60-14 now rubs slightly on the front RIGHT fender when I make a hard LEFT turn. Turns out the the tire edge is rubbing against the very bottom of the front of the fender. I fixed it slightly with some pliers by bending in the fender edge. (It's not visible unless you are under the car).

I'll probably take my Dremel and a cut-off wheel and do a little more work.

The only reason that I can imagine that the wheels are doing this is that the brake kit must put the wheels "out" a little farther - OR - the 10inch spindles locate the wheels a little farther forward.

The handling seems fine, and in fact, seems better. So I don't think the geometry is messed up.

Thoughts?

Dan?

k

p.s. - these brakes are interesting in that they actually work better when they are hot - I wonder if SS brakes supplied racing pads?

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1963 Dodge Dart, motor by Doug Dutra, Offenhauser two carb intake, Pertronix, Clifford 6x2, Flowmaster 40's, Erson RV15/295 RDP, head work. Addco anti-sway bar, urethane suspension bushings, KYB's, racing leafs, SSBC discs. Need ZDDP? Get STP.

If you replaced 9" drums I can see why you had such an improvement. 9" drums are kinda scary.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I'll have to take you for a "high-speed" ride in Kermit and show you how well my nine-inchers work in conjunction with my ABS right foot.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Now that just sounds dangerous and irresponsible.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

How do you figure?

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Maybe something with a Dennis driving???

No thank you. I took the 9" drums off the front of my '66 when it wouldn't stop for the first turn-off at Clay City. It already had 11" drums on back.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

That makes some fast turns...

Also makes for some stinky underpants.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

That may well be flirting with the dark side.

But hey, congrats on teh brake setup. I can't wait to see it. I just passed on some 10" spindles and hubs for $50, so I won't be going to this setup.

What was the total cost of the setup? I am curious. I know scarebird has finally but out a setup for 10" spindles that does not involve cutting off the spindle ear, so I'm curious how these two setups compare.

What MBC did you end up with?

MJ

Your wheels probably have less backspacing than the previous ones. Do you know what the bs is?

Good discs are awesome, yes. I have 11" on my 68 Dart, 12" on my 64 Dart, and 13" on my 66 Valiant...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Master cylinder characteristics and pad composition makes an ENORMOUS difference in how the disc brakes work.

I swapped a set of KH 4-piston discs onto my '62, having been really happy with those brakes on my '65 and in other previous cars. As in my '65, I didn't use a booster. In the '65, I'd used a '70 A-body disc brake master cylinder (1" bore) and a set of genuine Chrysler OEM organic (asbestos, I guesstos) tan pads, together with 10" rear drums. This system's well-known rear lockup problem was easily and completely solved by changing from stock 15/16" bore rear wheel cylinders to the cop-spec 13/16" bore cylinders, and I liked that setup a lot.

On the '62, I'd gone to the later 2-bolt master cylinder setup, using a 1-1/32" bore cylinder, and I just tossed the rebuilt Raybestos calipers onto the car complete with the pads they'd come with—Raybestos "Lifetime PG Plus" shiny grey pads.

The brakes in the '62 were terrible. The pedal was high and hard, and stopping was considerably more difficult than with the original 9" drums. Awful. Stops had to be planned in advance. Really no fun at all. The only improvement was the lack of random leftward or rightward pull that early drums are famous for.

I finally got round to swapping in another 1" bore master and another set of Chrysler tan organic pads last week, and the transformation was immediate and complete. Stopping's a breeze. Terrific pedal feel, just the right amount of pedal travel, and the car stops RIGHT NOW. And that's even before the pads are fully baked in. This is just how I liked it on the '65. My only remaining complaint is that the brake pedal is still too high. I may scout around for a shorter pushrod than the one from the stock '63-'66 single-pot master, which is what I'm using now, to drop the pedal. I figure a 1/4" shorter rod would probably get me most of the way to where I want the pedal in relation to the accelerator. (The 9" drums all have 13/16" wheel cylinders in the back, and now that I've got proper pads in front, there's not even a hint of a threat of rear lockup.)

As far as the almost-new 2-bolt 1-1/32" master and MP adjustable-length pushrod setup I removed: It's in perfect condition and for sale—I'll post a picture in the For Sale board. It'd work great with single-piston discs, or with 4-piston discs and a power booster (the factory used this bore size in both of those setups). it's just a poor match for 4-piston discs without a booster.

yeah, i made the swap to discs on my 63 valiant recently. i had swapped later style 10" drums a few years back thinking they would be fine. well i had to make a high speed stop on my offramp on the way home one night and man, it was touch and go for a while! i transplanted the 11 inch discs from my swinger and all is well! a nice side effect is the 10" drum spindles are a nice home for my 13" discs!

-james

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Nice survey, Dan.

James, is AndyF whipping up a 13" setup for you? He's got the goods, and I have them working on the Project V racecar. When will we see you at a Slant race? I'll be at Farmington this weekend with the V (brakes and all).

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

My 65 Valaint has discs swapped from a 75 Valiant Brougham. They are stock except I used a manual master cylinder. The rear brakes are 10" drums on the 7.25 axle from the Brouhaha. The car is the best stopping vehicle I own....by far. It outstops my 91 Roadmaster with ABS by 30 feet from 60mph.
I used the Brouhahas factory proportioning valve and have no rear lockup.

I was nabbed for speeding several years ago. The RCMP constable insisted on driving right up behind me (10ft) and turning on his lights and siren. Drawing from "Fear and Loathing" advice I stopped as hard and fast as I could causing the constable to swerve into the other lane and come to a rather unorganised stop. It was obvious the Valaint could outstop the Crown Vic. The constable inquired ,rather irritated, why I had stopped so fast. He said he nearly rearended me. I asked him whether his brakes needed attention...or was he following to close? He said my car stopped too fast. I said his didnt stop fast enough. Cost me $88 for 134 in a 100 zone.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....