Dig around a bit, there are a few threads that I recall going into this on Forward Look cars. Also reach out the the aftermarket companies, I think Wildwood had something for them (they did an Imperial for Jay Leno on TV). With enough digging, you may find the Formal spindle conversion, but it involved a lot of grinding on the spindles that made a number of us decide it wasn't a good alternative.
My spindles are from a 74 C body
For anyone who's wondering why I'm not sticking to my usual "leave the drums alone" line, Forward Look cars use a different brake shoe configuration. I don't think they are self energizing and may leave a lot to be desired on a DD. Plus an obsolete master/booster combination that could be a benefit to upgrade.
BTW, Minty, the work you are contemplating isn't rocket surgery, but isn't easy novice stuff either. That's not to imply that you can't do a fantastic job of it, but you will most likely learn a lot about how parts are made to work together doing this project correctly. If you decide to go the (theoretically) cheaper route of using Formal spindles, @C Body Bob had a pair for sale... if not, I have some (somewhere). The mix and match of parts creates as many problems as it solves in most cases.
You will find the majority of members here will want to help, as long as you are receptive to their advice. There will be plenty of bad ideas thrown in by lots of well intentioned folks as well. So please be careful who's lead you follow as you work through this.
Pads, rotors and calipers were used for many years after on pickups and vans. So maybe those rotors will be useful, but there has to be a better way than all the grinding done in the known attempt at this conversion IMO.
This car will be a driver, maybe not everyday but could if I wanted to. It will be used for long overnight road trips. Thankyou
No I still have the spindles. From a Newport I parted outWell I should have been more clear. I was looking for people who have done disc bake conversions on Forward Look cars 1957-1961. I was interested in peoples' opinions on what they had done and what they would change or do differently. I understand that there are one or two places that offer everything from caliper brackets to full on kits (AAJ, ECI, Leed, PST, Scarebird, SSBC, TheRamMan, RustyHope, Wilwood). I am also aware that there are uncommon conversions that can be done, example-using everything from the spindle out from a Dakota pickup (recently heard of this one and not quite sure if the source info was correct). With all the different donors that can be used for calipers and rotors parts availabilty and price play heavy on my direction. Just because the spindle from a 1962 Studebaker Avanti(random example-IDK if it really fits) will work that is not a direction I would want to choose.
@cantflip The m/c will be upgraded to match the disc/drum or even the disc/disc setup that I end up choosing. It won't be upgraded till I choose the rest the system upgrades (buy the upgrade only once). I haven't seen the Formal spindle post, but will look for it. Thankyou
@78Brougham For the sake of argument a stick with a piece of leather wrapped around it to push on a wooden wheel was adequate when horsepower was alive and required oats and hay.
@C Body Bob Did you use the 74 spindles on a 57-59? If so what were the donor vehicles that the rest of your parts came from?
@5wndwcpe That was exactly what I was asking for!
@OKDart Thankyou for that link. I will start surfing over there since it seems more 57-61 specific. As far as e brake on driveshaft that is long gone. I had to have a new driveshaft made as I have swapped a 360-727 combo in, swapped the rear end also.
I agree completely. As i said before, I've used my '59 Plymouth, '60 Desoto, and '61 Dodge as daily drivers for years. Plenty of stopping power. Back then i never have much thought about the single circuit master cylinder, it was what it was. LOL, but now... that'd be be my priority.
