Brake experts needed.....

[v 194]

Brake experts needed
Ok here is the dilemma:
I have a 1966 Imperial crown with bad front brakes. And finding usable replacement drums is difficult at best. Questions: (I do not care about the potential bolt pattern problem) I'm going to 4 3/4" pattern! even if I have to machine it to fit.
1. Can it be converted to front disc? Either aftermarket or factory?
2. Will any other front drums fit even if it means going to GM or Ford or ??
3. Will any other manufacture disc brake set up fit?
4. Are the lower ball joints unique to the Imperial?
5. Are there any aftermarket sources that may be able to help?
I have tried the Imperial board several times and have come up dry?
Suggestions?????

[ehostler]

Im not sure if the '73 - '76 A-body conversions will work. Take a look in the archives. There is a thread about disc brake conversions. One of the replys has a link to a conversion calculator. It asks what you have and what you want to end up with. It then suggests the best MOPAR components for the conversion.

Why do you want the GM bolt circle of 4 3/4"? MOPAR used 4" and 4 1/2" bolt circles.

[ehostler]

Here's the link to the calculator http://www.autohobbydigest.com/calc.html

[ehostler]

If you want a kit (more expensive than a junkyard swap), try www.mpbrakes.com

[v 194]

I have done business with them before. And the Jury is still out on their performance but I would be willing to give them a try again.
Do you have an email address for them or their 1-800 number. They do not publish this number and I misplaced my copy.

Remember I am chaing the bolt pattern to 5 x 4 3/4" so machine costs are to be factored in. If I can get a conversion kit with this already done then I MIGHT save on the machine costs.

Welcome any suggestions, I'll try them all

[v 194]

I forgot to answer this in the last post but I want the GM bolt pattern because I have a set of Vintage mags and they are in this pattern. So I cannot cut or modify the wheels as they are worth a fortune. So I have to modify the car.

[dave571]

I don't want to sound crazy here, but wouldn't it make sense to use different wheels, rather than butcher the suspension on a piece of history?(no offense, just a question)

[v 194]

Piece of History? I'm not sure I follow you.
The wheels have sold for as much as $2000 per wheel and to cut them or weaken them in any way would be crazy.
If you mean changing the suspension of a TV movie car then well the whole car has deviated quite far from original and had been at the hands of Dick Dean, Dean Jeffries and George Barris at some time in its life. The original wheels were taken off while in Barris's possession (sp) and are long lost. The wheels I have are the exact wheels except for the bolt pattern.
IMHO changing the brakes would be of little consequence and not a visible change.
I have to do something at this point as the front drums bolt holes are elongated and slide back and forth when you come to a stop.

[ehostler]

As far as spindles and stuff goes, use the calc. Once you have that information, then Try to find out if there are any GM rotors that will properly mate to the MOPAR spindles.

I'm no expert when it comes to that.

Let me do a little research on aftermarket stuff and I will post what I can find.

[v 194]

Just got an email from Kevin at P-S-T and he said that they cannot help.

[v 194]

SS Brakes suggest Kantor for replacement parts.
I have emailed Kantor and awaiting a reply.

[v 194]

Kanter says $125 for a drum. And have no idea how to convert to disc. additionally they asked if my Imperial was a wagon as the drum will not fill the wagon????

[ehostler]

Did they say what the drum components were for? knowing that would help determine what to get parts from, for a disc conversion.

I have email many different places, requesting any information. I did not hear back from any of them, today. Maybe early next week, I will get som replies. It is a rather unusual conversion, so it may take a little research, before anyone can get back to me.

[v 194]

Thanks for any and all help!
They did not say, all replied that they had no cross reference.
I can see one problem and that is the drums are unique in that they are 5 x 5.5" and since that is not used on other "cars" the cross reference only shows one application. I have a Hollander and it shows the one also. I would bet that except for the bolt pattern {which I was going to change} there would be a cross reference.

[ehostler]

Have you been able to resolve this issue yet?

If you haven't, you may want to use the standard imperial conversion kit from MPBrakes or SSBC and then use the 'billet aluminum wheel adapter' that is now available from Stockton Wheel. The links are as follows:

http://www.stocktonwheel.com
http://www.stocktonwheel.com/new_products.htm
http://www.stocktonwheel.com/images/adapters.gif

[v 194]

I am not fimiular with an "Imperial kit" from either SSBC or MPBrakes. Do they truly make one? It seems that everytrhing on an Imperial is "unique."
I have in my possesion now 2 used front drums and 2 used rear drums (Imperial) Mind you 5 x 5.5" now the only way I can get out of this that I thought of was to:
Front:
Machine down the center register on the drums to allow the wheel to fit. And to redrill the drums in the 4.75" pattern and fill the 5.5" holes.
Rear:
Machine the register on the axle to fit the wheel (or get new axles in the 4.75 bp) and or redrill the correct 4.75 pattern.

Not sure they can come out the minimun 1" required to use the adaptors from Stockton Wheel?

[ehostler]

I knew that was too simple of a solution... LOL

SSBC does have a link that you can fill in information and they will tell you if they can put something together for the application.

If that doesn't work, dwc43 may be able to put something together.