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 Disc
Brake Conversation
1928 - 1959 Chevrolet / GMC
MOST IMPORTANT
Safety
is the single most important factor when undertaking any modification
project. Any changes should be carefully studied to see how the modification
will effect other components. The planed modification itself must be looked
at closely to see if it and the components used are safe. When adding power
assist brakes to an existing system, it is strongly recommended that you
rebuild or replace all wheel brake cylinders. The increased pressures of
power assist on old or weak components could cause brake failure.
THE KITS
There are several
kits available for the various early trucks. These kits cover each
production range from 1928 - 1940, 1941- 1955 1st and 1955 2nd - 1959.
Usually these kits are offered in BASIC or COMPLETE kits. The Basic Kit
contains caliper brackets and all the hardware for mounting the caliper to
the axle. These kits also include bearing adapters and spacers for adapting
the new rotors to the original spindles. The Complete Kit contains all the
items found in the Basic Kit along with new rotors, calipers, seals and
bearing caps. In most cases the calipers are rebuilds. Some Complete Kits
offer redesigned hubs. The redesigned hub mounts directly on the original
spindles, which eliminates the need for the spindle to bearing adapters.
Golden State Pickup Parts now offers a 6 lug brake kit in both Basic and
Complete form. The 6 lug kit allows you to use the stock wheels in most
cases.
These kits can be
purchased from most all of the classic truck specialty parts suppliers.
Prices between kits varies depending on the kit selected and supplying
vendor. The Basic Kits start around $125.00 and up. The Complete Kits start
at $385.00 and up. There are some advantages to purchasing the kits in one
form or another.
The Basic Kit will
save you the cost of purchasing new rotors and calipers and the cost of
having them ship to you. Junk yard parts usually provide a better valve. I
have found trucks with almost new brakes on them in the junk yard, so
don’t discount used brake components.
The Complete Kits
offer some advantages over the Basic Kit. One of the advantages is the new
rotors can be ordered with whatever bolt pattern you might need to match
your rear end or existing wheels. For a stock look, you may what to purchase
a six hole rotor to fit an original wheel. New rotors and calipers offer a
degree of assurance of operation over junk yard parts, but not really enough
to talk about.
No matter which kit
you purchase there are many other parts you will need to purchase before you
have a functioning brake system.
GET YOUR WALLET OUT
The next bit of
information is basic to any brake system upgrade that incorporates front
disc brakes. You will need to purchase the following items.
- Master Cylinder
- Booster Assembly.
- 10 lb. Residual Check
Valve.
- Proportioning Valve.
- Brake Line &
Fittings.
Now, there are a few
different ways to setup the power booster and master cylinder. One
arrangement lets you mount a booster and master cylinder assembly under the
floor of the cab in the original location. The next method is to mount the
booster and master cylinder assembly on the engine side of the firewall,
above the steering column. The last method, which I prefer over the rest, is
a remote booster under the cab and the master cylinder mounted on the fire
wall. I prefer this method, because is utilizes a swing type brake pedal
over the booster and master cylinder assembly mounted in the original
location and it uses the least amount of under hood space. I also hate
pulling up carpet, sill moldings and floor plugs to ckeck the brake fluid,
so the firewall mounted systems are my first choice.
For the reasons
stated above, the remote booster brake system was my choice for this
project. The follow is a description of its installation. The graphic below
shows a component diagram of the remote booster brake system. We'll get into
the function of each component as we go along.
Remote
Booster System
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