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Best brake upgrade option for a stock '63 Valiant?
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31714		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  retrorobot [ Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Best brake upgrade option for a stock '63 Valiant?
I've put some time into researching this topic (on this board), and what I've been able to find out is that disk brakes + stock 13" wheels are a no go. The problem is that I want to upgrade the brakes on my '63 Valiant, but I also want to retain a "stock look". That is to say, I would go for bigger wheels if I can continue to use the stock '63 hubcaps. Anyone know if this is possible?
Otherwise, I'm planning on going with a dual MC and 10" drums. If I stick with the drums, is there any value added by including a power booster? Another question, will the pushrod for the dual MC be different than the stock pushrod for the single pot MC? Thanks!!!
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
You can't use the stock wheel covers on anything but 13" wheels, and your particular 13" wheels, if they're original 1963 items, won't clear 10" drums; you'd need to use '64 or later 13" wheels. But really, think this over. There are a lot of stock-type larger wheel covers (for other Plymouths) that would look very much at home on a '63 Valiant. Some of my favourites are the '62 Plymouth items, see here. If you gotta, just gotta keep the '63 Valiant wheel covers, you're stuck with 13" wheels, which means 10" drums are the best you can do.

Dual master: Good idea.

Power booster: As you wish. It doesn't reduce your stopping distance, all it does is reduce the effort you must apply to the pedal. It also adds underhood clutter. Your choice.

Pushrod: Depends on which master cylinder you use, exactly.
Author:  polara pat [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:40 am ]
Post subject: 
You can also run dog dishes, I'm a huge fan of said "poverty caps" but seriously, go 14s. I'll probably catch flack for this but I'm happy with my well tuned 9" drum set-up. I have of course upgraded to a dual master but stopping has never been a problem for me and I've been driving this car for ten years. I even have all the gear to do the disc swap but time is never available.
Author:  sandy in BC [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Its not like you live at the top of a hill........
Author:  polara pat [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Its not like you live at the top of a hill........
If they only knew Sandy. It's the trans test on the way up and brakes on the way down and I'm fine.
Author:  retrorobot [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow! The more I learn, the less I know. Thanks guys!

There are sub-classes of 13" wheels, huh? Well I'm fairly certain that the ones I've got are the OG's, so they wont work with the 10" drums. So, I'll probably just go with the dual chamber MC upgrade, said "poverty caps" :P and keep the 9"ers. Still unsure about the power booster. About the MC, will either this one with power booster or this one without be a good choice? If not, any suggestions?

Those are some classy looking 62 caps, Dan! Thanks for the wisdom, options and opinions!
Author:  emsvitil [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
You really don't need the power booster unless you're a 90lb weakling........
Author:  retrorobot [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Not funny. You must have found this pic of me. I'm trying to bulk up.
Author:  64'4$peed [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
14's, dog dishes, and Kelsey hayes 4piston. Thanking myself everyday for that swap. especially after a couple freeway must stop now incidents.
Author:  lindross [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:42 am ]
Post subject: 
On my 63 Valiant we used later model 14" wheels (small bolt pattern 5 on 4") with 71 dart disc brakes up front. Car drives great and stops very well.

My Valiant pics...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=26
Author:  retrorobot [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Best MC for the job
Any opinion on the best dual chamber MC for the upgrade from the dinky '63 single pot? Manufacturer part numbers, if available would be extremely helpful. Thanks!
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Raybestos MC36338.
Author:  retrorobot [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks again, Dan! You're a veritable wealth of information! Much appreciated.
Author:  Walter Lee Jackson [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Best brake upgrade option for a stock '63 Valiant?
This is what I did on my 63 Dart more than 30 years ago.

I installed Kelsey-Hayes disc brakes (that were optional between 65 and 72).

I used the correct 14" wheels. I found a fairly flat wheel cover, cut the center out and installed the 13" wheel cover into the 14". I got the idea from the 14" wheel covers used on a 65 Barracuda I once owned. The factory simply used a 13" wheel cover mounted on a 14" flat ring that looked like the remnant of a 14" cover.

Unfortunately, once a year or so I'd lose a wheel cover when cornering at too high a speed. Too much flex. I tried everything I could to solve this problem except some sort of welding.

I decided it was time to try something NO ONE on this board will approve of. People here with much more knowledge and common sense will tell you DON'T DO THIS !!!.

I ordered a one inch wheel adapter that moves the 13" wheel out far enough to clear the caliper. Unlike most wheel adapters, it does not change the bolt pattern.

To minimize the danger, I check the torque every few months. More than 150,00 miles later, everything seems OK.

Again, DON'T DO THIS. It's just what I did.

--Walt Jackson
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ye gods. Yeah, don't do this. WLJ, you've been very, very lucky not to kill yourself and/or others sharing the road with you.
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