64 (Canadian) Valiant Signet (aka Dart GT) front disc brake conversion

Which solution seems best

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WV64Signet

WV64Signet

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ALCON...Looking for any feedback on the below manufacturers of drum/disc conversion kits. I know this is a well worn topic across the Board, most of you interpid souls are scouring salvage yards and other swap solutions. I figure if you have a massive talent and knowledge pool, might as well leverage it and learn.

Trying to keep it as simple a project as possible. I'm also less inclined to go the salvage parts route more as a matter of convenience and expedience (and no small part laziness).

The Car
1964 (Canadian) Valiant Signet Convertible (Newly acquired)

Substantial project #1 is a front drum to disc conversion. When I test drove the car I had fond memories of my first Valiant. although I believe the current (replacement) dual master cylinder has issues due to the brake pedal failing to return to the full forward position. More exploration to follow on that.

Engine
225 6 Cylinder that has seem some modifications within the engine bay over the years (intake, headers, carb, relocation of battery). My intro post covers some of that but at the risk of being redundant I'll add the photos in here as well.

Transmission
TourqueFlite 3-speed auto (push-button)

Wheels
I want to stay with the 14" wheels that are on the car. Upgraded from the original 13" 5 x 4's but after searching through a lot of sites I have found that there are very few options out there in aftermarket kits that will accommodate what I would like to do here. The number of options was further reduced as the front end is still all original and has the 5 x 4" bolt pattern.

The results:

Speedway - Available as a 5 x 4 but has an alternative booster. The write up seems to accommodate reuse and compatibility of the original front end suspension components (a plus) but I do understand from some of the threads here that I should consider a front end rebuild while I have things apart anyhow.

1964 Plymouth Valiant Brakes Parts | Speedway Motors

and

Classic Brakes - They can custom build a 5 x 4 and is a bit more pricey... 3 - 4 weeks delivery which in today's day and age is pretty good.

Classic Disc Brakes: 1960-76 Plymouth Complete Front Disc Kit Booster Combo


Others in the running but tossed:

PST
I was looking at P.S.T. but they will only do a 5 x 4 - 1/2 bolt pattern in a 14" wheel

Master Power
Nice complete assembly approach but requires 15" wheels...

Thanks for any feedback, horror stories and best practices. The only thing worse than getting pummelled for asking rookie questions is silence.....

Go well

Chris

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Private Idaho said:
Is that the stock grill?
I want one!
Click to expand...
I'm fairly certain that it is NOT stock.

The renderings in the Chrysler Canada brochure from 64 show an inset Pontiac triangle in the center of the grill. The other 9-code Signet's that I have seen also have that style of grill (not the one that is on this car). Not sure where this one came from.

Perhaps there's someone who can ID?

I could see on the back side where perhaps there was a surface-mounted badge at some point, but the car had all badges and trim removed some time back.
 
WV64Signet said:
I'm fairly certain that it is NOT stock.

The renderings in the Chrysler Canada brochure from 64 show an inset Pontiac triangle in the center of the grill. The other 9-code Signet's that I have seen also have that style of grill (not the one that is on this car). Not sure where this one came from.

Perhaps there's someone who can ID?

I could see on the back side where perhaps there was a surface-mounted badge at some point, but the car had all badges and trim removed some time back.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Beautiful car by the way.
I'll be watching this post as I am going to do a disc conversion on my Barracuda.
The SSBC kit looks to be the easiest solution but seems pricey for what it is.
 
Update on the considerations.

Leaning toward the SSBC solution (Thanks Keith Mopar for the tip!) as they offer 4-piston calipers and Speedway single piston.

Going to call both companies. SSBC responded already that they are at 4-weeks to ship.
 
You forgot Dr. Diff and even Scarebird conversions.
 
I used Pirate Jack for my first 64 Dart GT that I had a couple of years ago. That kit worked great, even though they said that it would not work with my Cragar SS wheels. But they did, so I left them on.
 
Another piece of the puzzle to is that the car has 9" drum/spindle currently so most of these look like I'll need to upgrade to a 10" spindle to start.

Went in to bleed the brakes and have zero gravity flow out of the rear bleeder valves (completely removed) and only pulled a small amount using a vacuum bleeder.
 
Last edited:
Claydart said:
I used Pirate Jack for my first 64 Dart GT that I had a couple of years ago. That kit worked great, even though they said that it would not work with my Cragar SS wheels. But they did, so I left them on.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip.

Pirate Jack is the only site I've found that provides this image to understand fitment and space requirements under the hood...

A ++
Conversion Kit space requirements.jpg
 
WV64Signet said:
I'll scope them out
Click to expand...
WV64Signet said:
Another piece of the puzzle to is that the car has 9" drum/spindle currently so most of these look like I'll need to upgrade to a 10" spindle to start.

Went in to bleed the brakes and have zero gravity flow out of the rear bleeder valves (completely removed) and only pulled a small amount using a vacuum bleeder.
Click to expand...

Scarebird has kits for the 9" spindles.
 
These cars don't need power brakes IMO. I upgraded my wagon to factory Kelsey Hayes discs a couple years back, and it stops just fine with a manual master.

I got everything from the spindles out from a member on this site. And I used the parts list in the how-to article for everything else.

My Scamp has factory manual discs also, and I never had a problem stopping it either.

Both cars are heavier than yours.

You should try to find someone who has already done whatever conversion you decide to go with, and try your wheels on those brakes. Lots of those wheels were not designed to clear brake calipers, you could have major interference issues.
 
flingdingo said:
These cars don't need power brakes IMO. I upgraded my wagon to factory Kelsey Hayes discs a couple years back, and it stops just fine with a manual master.

I got everything from the spindles out from a member on this site. And I used the parts list in the how-to article for everything else.

My Scamp has factory manual discs also, and I never had a problem stopping it either.

Both cars are heavier than yours.
Click to expand...

Cool.. Thanks for the insights.

That would save some bucks as well.
 
I liked dealing with Pirate Jack, you could get 5x4 or 5x4 1/2 if later on you decide to go with the BBP, all you have to do is buy the BBP rotors and away you go. Also they have kits for manual brakes or power brakes.
 
Claydart said:
I used Pirate Jack for my first 64 Dart GT that I had a couple of years ago. That kit worked great, even though they said that it would not work with my Cragar SS wheels. But they did, so I left them on.
Click to expand...
I did also, completely perfect fit, all 73 mopar disks single piston on my 66 , 645. To my door

FB_IMG_1583934410026.jpg
 
Gentlemen,

Thank each and every one of you for your inputs and opinion on a suitable path for the Valiant. I have gone ahead and placed my order this evening (after way more delay than I preferred)

My choice was based upon a number of factors
1. Availability - No good to order something that takes weeks/months to arrive or comes drop-shipped from Bangladesh.
2. Fitment - Even though I have a complete set of 15" Cragars, I REALLY like the 14' slotted rims on the car.....and the 9" drums/spindles are an additional limiter. Most of the options required either 15" rims or 10" (minimum) spindles.
3. Customer Service - If I ask a question, the responsiveness is an indicator, to me, of how the company values their customers. I live in a customer-centric world and this is a huge part of how I choose to spend my money. If you are slow/unresponsive or dickish I'll spend $100 more to go with someone who doesn't suck....
4. Completeness - I'm essentially lazy...which means I don't want to make a bunch of random bits go together. If you have a soup-to-nuts solution, then I'm "in".
5. Price - This is intentionally last in the list. I've "saved" money in the past that in retrospect I would have gladly given for ease of implementation. I value my time greatly. :thumbsup:

I'll follow up in here on how the order process and delivery go

Thanks again gang.... You guys are the ****.
 
Well, I hope you get what you are looking for, and everything comes out the way you want. I'll be looking forward to see the results of your well thought out purchasing strategy. Good Luck, Clay
 
Claydart said:
Well, I hope you get what you are looking for, and everything comes out the way you want. I'll be looking forward to see the results of your well thought out purchasing strategy. Good Luck, Clay
Click to expand...

Thanks Clay.

I've read everything I could consume on here and had a great response in the thread and by PM directing me to other sources. I'm extremely confident that I've taken the proper path.

I plan to journal the experience....mind you I am NOT a mechanic or at least not an automotive mechanic. If you want a radio system wrenched on or a house framed/shingled then I'm your guy.

Should be a lot of fun.

I may have...allegedly...gotten her out on a short run late one night.. The advantage of living in the boondocks with a very nice county highway nearby. :rolleyes:
 
WV64Signet said:
Thanks Clay.

I've read everything I could consume on here and had a great response in the thread and by PM directing me to other sources. I'm extremely confident that I've taken the proper path.

I plan to journal the experience....mind you I am NOT a mechanic or at least not an automotive mechanic. If you want a radio system wrenched on or a house framed/shingled then I'm your guy.

Should be a lot of fun.

I may have...allegedly...gotten her out on a short run late one night.. The advantage of living in the boondocks with a very nice county highway nearby. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

WV64Signet said:
Gentlemen,

Thank each and every one of you for your inputs and opinion on a suitable path for the Valiant. I have gone ahead and placed my order this evening (after way more delay than I preferred)

My choice was based upon a number of factors
1. Availability - No good to order something that takes weeks/months to arrive or comes drop-shipped from Bangladesh.
2. Fitment - Even though I have a complete set of 15" Cragars, I REALLY like the 14' slotted rims on the car.....and the 9" drums/spindles are an additional limiter. Most of the options required either 15" rims or 10" (minimum) spindles.
3. Customer Service - If I ask a question, the responsiveness is an indicator, to me, of how the company values their customers. I live in a customer-centric world and this is a huge part of how I choose to spend my money. If you are slow/unresponsive or dickish I'll spend $100 more to go with someone who doesn't suck....
4. Completeness - I'm essentially lazy...which means I don't want to make a bunch of random bits go together. If you have a soup-to-nuts solution, then I'm "in".
5. Price - This is intentionally last in the list. I've "saved" money in the past that in retrospect I would have gladly given for ease of implementation. I value my time greatly. :thumbsup:

I'll follow up in here on how the order process and delivery go

Thanks again gang.... You guys are the ****.
Click to expand...

I'm a bit confused. Did you order from Pirate Jack??
 
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