Disk brake conversion?
Anyone done, or heard of this?
however, any fifth avenue, diplomat, etc will work. i have a simirarly equipped sedan and the brakes were rough to say the least, so i opted just to up-grade. the donor car i picked up for $100 was an '89 police diplomat (11" discs, 11" drums). wheels i used were the 15" off of the '89. the spidles were an exact fit, some mix-matching on the tie-rod ends and it still needs some alignment done but for the most part easy bolt-in. same ball joints, the tie-rod ends r slightly different on the bolt porsion, but is only hight, diameter is same. removed non-power assist of and plate behind it on '59 and used the donor car. still working out minor kinks. removed original studs, new p/b fit perfect. on the inside could only access 3 out of 4 studs to install nuts, will try the other one later. the push-rod from the pedal too short, used some 2x2 angle-iron i had laying around too lengthen. rear end fit perfect, same length, u-joint and spring positions. also robbed rear sway off of '89, still need to install but appears like it will work. '89 springs wouldn't work, front eyelet too long. i used majority of original pluming and added compression style connectors where needed. had to attach rubber hose brackets, which unbolted from donor, then was welded onto frame. don't forget the proportioning valve, or the rear brakes will lock up. i attached mine on the wheel-well. one last thing, mine had not power anything so it had no vaccum connection other than to distibutor for timing(1/8 line). mine also has the 230 i-6. i just tapped into the timed vaccum, it will work temp. good boost at 2000 rpm, little to no at idle. will work out all finor fit and performance kinks during tear-down next year. doing away with original i-6 anyways. i would recommend this set-up to anyone on a budget. junkers r plentiful and cheap, new parts r same.
