Since I'm scrounging all the parts for my A-body 8-3/4", I'm leaning towards installing rear discs instead of drums. I've been searching the internet and have found a few, all of which sell for around $800.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a kit with e-brake? Anything special I should be looking for or avoiding?

A previous thread seemed to conclude that it was best to avoid Wilwood, since they are strictly for race cars.

BTW, what are your opinions for and against using green bearings in a daily driven street car?

Never used them but heard good things about www.tsmmfg.com.

I think Lou has a tsm kit on his car.

All the kits I've seen for the 8 3/4" were for big bolt pattern so keep that in mind.

H'mmm.

What kind of service is this car used in? Street driving, racing? I would opine that rear discs on a street-driven A-body are unnecessary by any stretch of the imagination, and not cost-effective.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

But they're cool................

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Even our 97 Caravan AWD has rear discs. Can't say that it feels any different than our 93 Dakota or 95 Jeep Cherokee with front discs and 9 inchers on the back.

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65 Dart station wagon slant 6 - now under construction
47 Dodge Custom 4 Door sedan
87 D100 Short Bed slant 6

Retired USAF 1966-1986
Retired US Postal Service 2004-2014

I've run green bearings on the street for years.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

What!?....You don't have enough "cool" in just the 1964 A-body convertible?

Roger

It's purely street driven.

I agree that discs might not be cost effective, if I had a complete A-body rear end to use, but I started with a housing, found a differential with 3:23 gears and that's all I have so far. I'm buying new axles with 4-1/2" bolt pattern so I can use different wheels, but my understanding is that the drum brakes must be from an A-body and there aren't any of them in this part of the country, at any price. To top it off, I'm too danged old to be cruising junk yards scrounging parts!

I'm pretty much content with the amount of cool, but the stopping power gives me nervous chills! I'm going with the Master Power Brakes disc kit for the front and replacing my 4-1/2" X 13 wheels with 7" X 15 wheels and P185/80R13 tires with P195/65TR15's. Along with an anti-sway bar, I should have much improved handlling and stopping.

while i agree with dan on the "necessity" of rear discs on a dart, i am of the opinion that overkill is just about right in the braking department!

-james

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I put a rear disc setup in my 51 DeSoto in 1980 for better braking and coolness factor. Too bad I use nice big stainless wheel covers that hide them....

Ive had a number of vehicles with rear discs,,,notably a 73 164e Volvo with big Teves 4w discs. None of them stop any better than my Valiant with stock 75 discs on the front and 10" drums.

Cool....YES!,,,,better braking,,,I dunno.

Would I drop my fantasy of a narrowed 8.8 Explorer rear with discs?,,,,no.

Except for the freekin E-brake the rear disc is easier to maintain.

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

What are green bearings??????? Never heard of them

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Isn't a 195 a bit narrow for a 7" rim????

What about 205/60's????

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Green bearigns are the sealed type that are permanently lubed. http://store.yahoo.com/chucker54/rearaxbearki.html

Big hoopla over them in the mopar world as to wether they are more worthy then the original type or not. Lots of people had good luck, others wouldn't spend the time spitting on them. I run mine in my duster as well and have had no problems after a few thousand miles now.