73 Disc Brake Spindles

[Blairboy3]

I know this is going to probably be a dumb question.. but I'm trying to see if I can put a front disc brake kit together for my '68 Fury. I located some spindles & caliper brackets off a 73 Imperial at a local yard... but when I look for rotors, nothing comes up for the Imperial. If I change the search to a 73 New Yorker, I find rotors & other components. Are the spindles different, or are autoparts websites just not setup well? Lol.

Also... I've got a set of disc brake spindles, calipers, & brackets off a 71 Newport... but when I checked for rotors (about 8 years ago - 2 piece rotors) they were crazy expensive. Did I read correctly in the Disc Brake Conversion sticky thread that those rotors have dropped in price?

 

[twostick]

The Imperial spindles are different and won't work.

The pre 73 rotors were repopped in unicast and are much cheaper than the original 2 piece ones were, IF you can find them.

Kevin

 

[Blairboy3]

The Imperial spindles are different and won't work.

The pre 73 rotors were repopped in unicast and are much cheaper than the original 2 piece ones were, IF you can find them.

Kevin

Ok... so I'm better off using my '71 parts if I can find the rotors... which I see Rock Auto has several options between $70 & $160.

Why are did they use different spindles on the Imperial?

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

71 C body rotors should be used on 73 C body spindles due to a bearing difference. Some say that a spacer or shim can be used, others say don't do it.

I don't believe the 73 Imperial spindles are the same as 73 C body spindles, and won't fit a 68 C body, or if they do, the geometry is incorrect.

 

[Blairboy3]

Ok... thoroughly confused now. I have 71 spindles, calipers, & caliper brackets off a Newport. (Thought they were paperweights due to the cost of the rotors at the time I pulled them off the donor car)
1. Can I just use those with the now cheaper 71 rotors?
2. Will they bolt onto my 68?
3. I need to rebuild the front end on top of converting the brakes... do I use the same components as I would for the drum setup? I read through 70_NPORT's stickied thread, but I'm not clear on which - if any - steering components are different other than the spindles.

I know I need a new mc & booster, as well as a proportioning valve.

Thanks!

 

[traintech55]

Yes, if you use everything for the 1971, they will fit your 1968.

 

[volksworld]

(1) yes (2) yes (3) yes, ball joints tie rod ends same from 68 drum to 71 disc....use the wheel bearings for 71 disc ( but I think they are the same too, an a2 outer and a6 inner)....use the 71 C body 1 1/32 diameter disc brake master...I have 2 cars converted that still have the drum boosters ( midland with the band clamp around them) and " proportioning valve" that stop fine...its not an actual proportioning valve, its a distribution valve to turn on the warning light if the front or rear circuit has a hydraulic failure...some folks swear you need the dual diaphragm booster, I think you do if you use the larger 1 1/8 68 disc master instead of the 71...if you already have a good booster try it (idk about Bendix boosters, they may not be as strong as the Midlands)

 

[1970FuryConv]

Why are did they use different spindles on the Imperial?

Different front subframe than c-body

Ok... thoroughly confused now. I have 71 spindles, calipers, & caliper brackets off a Newport. (Thought they were paperweights due to the cost of the rotors at the time I pulled them off the donor car)
1. Can I just use those with the now cheaper 71 rotors? YES
2. Will they bolt onto my 68? YES, DIRECT BOLT ON
3. I need to rebuild the front end on top of converting the brakes... do I use the same components as I would for the drum setup? I read through 70_NPORT's stickied thread, but I'm not clear on which - if any - steering components are different other than the spindles. YES, FRONT END COMPONENTS ARE SMAE

I know I need a new mc & booster, as well as a proportioning valve. DISAGREE. I USE DISC BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT DRUM BRAKE BOOSTER AND PROPORTIONING VALVE (ACTUALLY SAFETY SWITCH BLOCK FOR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT). ALSO USED DRUM BRAKE LINES.

Thanks!

 

[Blairboy3]

Ok, thanks guys... that cleared it up for me. I appreciate all the info!

 

[Blairboy3]

Found my parts! There was a slight chance I may have thrown them out during the last move. Calipers need to be rebuilt (or just replaced). Looks like I can get all the hardware (missing a couple slider pins), pads & rotors off Rock Auto. They have a rebuild kit for the calipers if I go that route. Mobilparts went over availability & pricing with me for my front end, so I need to get under there & check a few things before I finalize my order with him. This is getting exciting again!

 

[OKDart]

5% off RockAuto discount code:

328902875290332732

Expires February 27th

 

[1970FuryConv]

Found my parts! There was a slight chance I may have thrown them out during the last move. Calipers need to be rebuilt (or just replaced). Looks like I can get all the hardware (missing a couple slider pins), pads & rotors off Rock Auto. They have a rebuild kit for the calipers if I go that route. Mobilparts went over availability & pricing with me for my front end, so I need to get under there & check a few things before I finalize my order with him. This is getting exciting again!

View attachment 753478

Recommend you rebuild calipers. Rebuilds are getting hard to find. If you are not going to rebuild them, sell them to someone else. Those calipers fit c-body 1969-1973, both 2-piece and single piece rotors.

 

[Blairboy3]

5% off RockAuto discount code:

328902875290332732

Expires February 27th

Gracias! I get paid tomorrow so that works out great!

So long as the inside of those calipers aren't rusted out & pitted, I'll rebuild them. I'd rather spend the $130 for new ones somewhere else.

 

[mobileparts]

Josh / Blairboy 3 ,
Rather than getting Chineseum garbage Brake Pads from the Chineseum reselling Queen of the universe , rock auto ,
I have *** N.O.S. *** Asbestos *** Brake Pads ( not expensive, either ) for the softest , smooooooothest braking system known to mankind , and doesn’t rip up rotors to smithereens……
Yours, Craig…..

 

[Blairboy3]

@mobileparts do they come w/ free mesothelioma? I'm just playing. Go ahead & send me a DM with the price on those... and rear shoes, too, if you carry those. My car has 2" rears.

 

[Blairboy3]

Oh... I know what I wanted to ask. Dust covers/ backing plates. Any good sources for those?

 

[mobileparts]

Blairboy3 ,
^^^ Stop listening to your wonder boy Gavin —- he wants to TAX you on that….. ^^^ L O L ….
Yours, Craig …..

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Oh... I know what I wanted to ask. Dust covers/ backing plates. Any good sources for those?

They were reproducing the '69-'72 splash shields a couple years ago. I would check the Vans Auto website to see if they're still available.

I've found that many of the Chinese repop calipers are no good right out of the box. You have to rebuild them with name brand seals to get them to work properly. Unfortunately, the supply of old caliper cores is drying up, so when you purchase what's listed as a "remanufactured" caliper, you often get a Chinese repop in the box instead.

Jeff

 

[Blairboy3]

They were reproducing the '69-'72 splash shields a couple years ago. I would check the Vans Auto website to see if they're still available.

I've found that many of the Chinese repop calipers are no good right out of the box. You have to rebuild them with name brand seals to get them to work properly. Unfortunately, the supply of old caliper cores is drying up, so when you purchase what's listed as a "remanufactured" caliper, you often get a Chinese repop in the box instead.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. That kinda reinforces the idea I should just rebuild these factory calipers then. Hopefully the bores aren't rusted & pitted.