Switching to front disc brake questions

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Stiffler

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Ok. On my 64 Dart, I am switching to front disc brakes, at the recommendation of several people. Reason is because that this will be a daily driver, it really needs to happen.

I have purchased a Wilwood kit to go on the stock spindles. This one:
Wilwood Disc Brakes - Front Brake Kit Part No: 140-11022

Currently it would appear that the Dart has the stock single reservoir master cylinder, which the line runs to a block down low in the bay and splits off from there. (see pics)
From the reading I have done, I really need to get a dual master cylinder with adjustable proportioning valve, correct? As well as brake lines from one reservoir to the discs.
Does anyone have a recommendation on which to use? Should I just go to the junkyard and find a dual that will fit, or get a new one?
Once installed with the adjustable proportioning valve, set it so that the front brakes lock up prior to rears.

Am I on the right track?

Thank you all!

OH, and while this pic is here, what the heck is that silver device with the hose coming off it to the right of the master cylinder and steering?

IMG_0873.JPG

IMG_0875.JPG
 
OK- that little silver thing is the windshield washer pump that seems to be missing its reservoir. Your brake kit is not complete. This is not a kit, but is a front brake disc conversion. A real kit would include the parts you are inquiring about. You are correct that all those parts are needed, but they will be in a complete kit.
 
You should definitely install a dual reservoir master cylinder as part of that upgrade, especially for a daily driver. And you’ll either need an adjustable valve for the rear brakes or a brake proportioning valve from a disk brake car. Both will require you to bend up some new brake lines.

You shouldn’t just go junkyard diving for the master cylinder. Reason being is that you need a master cylinder with the correct bore and stroke. At the very least you should buy a master cylinder for a disk brake equipped A-body. I run 15/16” bore master cylinders from DoctorDiff on my cars, they’re a little more expensive though. Either way you want to pay attention to the bore and stroke, it’s not a situation where you can just grab a random master cylinder.

I don’t know why anybody makes a disk brake kit for those 9” drum spindles. I can’t imagine spending that kind of money for a disk upgrade and keeping those 9” drum spindles with their inferior lower ball joint design. There have been failures of those undersized lower ball joint bolts.
 
I don’t know why anybody makes a disk brake kit for those 9” drum spindles. I can’t imagine spending that kind of money for a disk upgrade and keeping those 9” drum spindles with their inferior lower ball joint design. There have been failures of those undersized lower ball joint bolts.

Wilwood makes a kit for it. It includes a new spindle, but same ball joints. They also make a nice master cylinder and proportioning valve, etc.
 
Wilwood makes a kit for it. It includes a new spindle, but same ball joints. They also make a nice master cylinder and proportioning valve, etc.

I know wilwood makes a kit for it. My point was that I don’t know why anyone uses that kit. There’s no way I’d want to keep those 9” drum spindles and their problems.

And that kit does not come with new spindles.
 
I know wilwood makes a kit for it. My point was that I don’t know why anyone uses that kit. There’s no way I’d want to keep those 9” drum spindles and their problems.

And that kit does not come with new spindles.
I stand corrected.

Upgrading to the 10" spindle and ball joint seems like an easy upgrade too...
 
I think I saw someone has a redesigned stock height spindle, or am I mistaken? I’ll likely just install that when I do the front suspension rebuild at a later date. Lack of funds now >< priority is to just get it daily driverable now.
 
I know wilwood makes a kit for it. My point was that I don’t know why anyone uses that kit. There’s no way I’d want to keep those 9” drum spindles and their problems.

And that kit does not come with new spindles.


What are their problems? when I did my conversion the small ball joint spindles were taper reamed for the larger ball joint and used the wilwood kit.
 
What are their problems? when I did my conversion the small ball joint spindles were taper reamed for the larger ball joint and used the wilwood kit.

The lower ball joint for the 9" drum spindle uses smaller diameter bolts than every spindle made after that. Even the 10" drum spindles use larger bolts.

I personally haven't used a set, my cars all came with 10" drums or better. But I think @AJ/FormS had a set of the 9'inchers break on him. Someone here did anyway.
 
The lower ball joint for the 9" drum spindle uses smaller diameter bolts than every spindle made after that. Even the 10" drum spindles use larger bolts.

I personally haven't used a set, my cars all came with 10" drums or better. But I think @AJ/FormS had a set of the 9'inchers break on him. Someone here did anyway.


Ended up switching to an alterkation but someone here is still running them.
 
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