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

Which solution seems best


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    4
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That looks like a good kit there. I like that it has the spindles with it
 
did you decide to rebuild the rest of the front end now, or going to hit it later on?
 
Templated the expected footprint of the power conversion system. Only area of potential conflict I can really see is where the trans cooler line is on the front end. The dimensions did not indicate depth.. The electrical along the firewall makes has me wondering as well.

Should fit under the air cleaner.

Time will tell

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Still waiting on parts. I decided to order the inline tube kit. I know there have been mixed reviews on their customer service but I does seem like the product is petty decent.

Spent some time under the car last night. Left rear feed line has fluid to it but nothing from the bleeder so that will be an exploration on whether the wheel cylinder needs replacement. The right rear has nothing at the feed line. Didn't notice any obvious kinks or leaks so maybe the splitter is blocked??

Fun times

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Brake Line set from Inline Tubing arrived today. Getting all the parts staged and ready. I'm impatient. Waiting on a ship date still from Classicdiscbrakes. Hopefully this week.
 
Front end rebuild kit arrived from @PST ....
Still waiting on Classic Disc to ship. Spoke with them yesterday and ithe kit is in production and ships next week. Hopefully there's a trucker who can actually move it.

Waiting sucks.
 
Captain's Log

Week 8 since purchasing my disc conversion kit... no communication... no parts.....

We are alone.
 
Regarding your rear brakes:

Check the rear flex hose. A few years back i helped a coworker get his 73 340 Dart Sport back on the road. We couldn't get any brake fluid at the front calipers. After disassembling the distribution/safety block and all that I finally discovered that both front brake hoses were blocked. The metal ferrules at the end of the hoses had rusted and completely blocked the internal passages.
In reality, since you are into the hydraulics anyway, you should carefully check the rest of the system before hitting the road. I use synthetic DOT 5 fluid in my 60's cars. It doesn't absorb moisture and doesn't harm paint.

P.S. I have a /6 64 Val convertible too. Fun cars.
 
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Regarding your rear brakes:

Check the rear flex hose. A few years back i helped a coworker get his 73 340 Dart Sport back on the road. We couldn't get any brake fluid at the front calipers. After disassembling the distribution/safety block and all that I finally discovered that both front brake hoses were blocked. The metal ferrules at the end of the hoses had rusted and completely blocked the internal passages.
In reality, since you are into the hydraulics anyway, you should carefully check the rest of the system before hitting the road. I use synthetic DOT 5 fluid in my 60's cars. It doesn't absorb moisture and doesn't harm paint.

P.S. I have a /6 64 Val convertible too. Fun cars.
Greatly appreciate the feedback and tips.
 
if someone doesn't know how old the brake hoses are on one of these, they should always be replaced
 
Just received notification from Classic Disc Brakes that my order has shipped. Going to pray, burn incense, light a candle, kill a chicken or whatever in hopes that there are no hiccups in the shipping process.
 
Just received notification from Classic Disc Brakes that my order has shipped. Going to pray, burn incense, light a candle, kill a chicken or whatever in hopes that there are no hiccups in the shipping process.

Thirty Days later... Still no brake parts kit.

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Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

I'm done with these games by Classic Disc Brakes.
 
Dam it must be over 3 months since you ordered your Disc's. Yea I'd be a bit pissed especially when you know they didn't ship when promised.
 
Dam it must be over 3 months since you ordered your Disc's. Yea I'd be a bit pissed especially when you know they didn't ship when promised.

110 days since ordered... told they were being shipped "later that week" "next week" and also that they "were shipped and should be there on Dec 28th" Still nothing...and no tracking number
 
That's a friggin shame! All that time, you could have ordered from someone else if you knew then that they would be jerking you around!
 
Update:

All the brake parts are on-hand (finally) and have started getting things started. The car is up on stands and pulled the front wheels off. I decided to spend some time to clean up everything in order to get some good photos and take measurements. During this inspection phase I've discovered a couple other items that will require attention. First thing was a partial break in the driver's side of the K-member right where the front torsion bar passes through. Up-side is that I found it in the garage on jack stands and not on the side of the road somewhere

Still chugging along.

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This what I bought for a 71 Demon. small bolt pattern and lets you keep 14" rims. You can buy the kit with power booster or manual. This kit is very complete and comes with a new master which is what you need, expensive but I found it to be a great upgrade.

A153 Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit, Mopar Non Power – SSBC-USA

Nice car!!!
If you check, you will see that this kit bolts right on to existing (10") brake system. I believe that the OP has a 9" brake system.
 
Thanks for this comprehensive thread WV64Signet, I recently bought a 63 Valiant 200 Convertible /6 225, with Drums all around. I've not turned a bolt yet but inspired by your posts I'm looking to follow in your path. My question, did you do any front suspension work during the conversion? Did you end up with Disc/Drum?
 
Thanks for this comprehensive thread WV64Signet, I recently bought a 63 Valiant 200 Convertible /6 225, with Drums all around. I've not turned a bolt yet but inspired by your posts I'm looking to follow in your path. My question, did you do any front suspension work during the conversion? Did you end up with Disc/Drum?

Ahhh... SO, a bit of a story here.

In the preparation work I found that at some point the K-member had been damaged (broken weld just outside the front, left strut) so that led me down the path of having to remove the K (and all the associated steering and suspension elements) My day job has been demanding lately so I am still in the midst of that effort.

As to the suspension, my plan was (and still is) to replace bushings and other parts considering I have things in pieces already so "might as well". On advice from the forum, I obtained the Mancini racing MOPAR front end tool kit for removing the various parts. The kit has proven to be very helpful thus far. I will be getting back at it this weekend and will post more pics as progress continues.

Yes, the goal is front disc and drum. I have the booster to go power but I'll have to work on clearances with the transmission cooler placement and where the replacement brake lines fall working from back to front. If the booster shifts things too far forward, then I'll keep with the manual disc/drum setup.
 
OK. Finally some progress today! Work was crazy and I was really looking forward to getting at it today. Usual challenges with disassembly of a 57 year old car but one side of the drums are off as is all the steering linkage.

The Mancini kit proved its worth again today getting the upper ball joint removed. Still struggling with the drivers side torsion bar releasing. Soaked it down with PB Blaster and I'll try again tomorrow.

Drum assembly is out and in good shape. You can see "Canada" cast in the drum and other parts ....

Work on the other side tomorrow.

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