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have some wheel questions.

 
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helotech



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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 4:43 am    Post subject: have some wheel questions. Reply with quote

Hey guys,

I have a '54 chieftain and want to convert the front brakes to disk for safety. I know I need to get new rims that will fit over the disks/calipers but I also want to reuse my hob caps. does anyone know of any aftermarket "disk brake" rims that will also let me use my hub caps?

also, I'm going to be replacing the tires all the way around. I would like some wider (tread width) tires but still want to be able to use the skirts on the back without rubbing issues. does anyone know how wide I can go without running into issues?

thanks, Helotech

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Larry
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 1:01 pm    Post subject: Disc Brakes and Wheels Reply with quote

Be aware that most all the disc brake conversions I have seen will be the "smaller" 4-3/4" X 5 bolt pattern. They are all set up for the F-body and A-body cars. The full-size, and all older Pontiacs had 5" x 5 bolt patterns.

You might check with ScareBird at: https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63&product_id=77 as they offer an older Pontiac kit. However you will need to buy your own rotors and calipers- they tell you which ones to accept the old 5" x 5 pattern.

If you wish to use 15" original size wheels, first check if your originals will fit over the rotors (which ever ones you chose to go with)... I know about the debate of old wheels and radial tires- some say OK, some say no.

If you need to buy new wheels for both radial tire safety and for big wheel covers (I assume you aren't speaking of just the hub caps- small ones), most any 15" stock style wheel should accept a full-size wheel cover; not sure on the proper lugs needed in the wheel center for the smaller hub caps. Drag a wheel cover with you when you go wheel shopping, or ask someone if you're doing on-line.

Now, back to the 15" original type wheels... there may be a 15" wheel with the smaller 4-3/4" x 5 bolt pattern, but I don't know of any. You can, however, have the new rotors redrilled (if you go with the most common conversions offered) for the bigger 5" x 5 stud spacing... of course you will have to remove any existing studs and put in new ones. Or, you can go with the 5" x 5 ScareBird specifies.

As far as tires go. Do the old trick we used to do. Look at your original size, go up one size (no safety problem there), and then also go with the wide oval design (like most tires today). I bet they will look quite big compared to what you now have. If you want to go real big, then it is all a trial and error game (rubbing, etc.), AND being sure your wheel rim is of proper width.

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helotech



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PostPosted: Fri Sep 02, 2016 4:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks,

I've been doing a bunch of research and have found out the following:

there are a couple vendors out there now that sell the disk brake conversion kits with the 5 on 5 lug pattern (the rotors are from a late 80's Chevy truck) in fact, I think they have copied Scarebirds brackets.

the problem I'm having with the disk brake setup is, the current ORIGINAL master cylinder won't support the disk brake setup, and I can't find anyone who sells and conversion kit for the modern dual bowl master cylinders. looks like I'll have to fabricate something myself.

as for the wheels, I found a couple places that sell 15" wheels in the 5 on 5 so I'm going to pick up a set when I get my new tires, that way I'm ready when I do the disk brake conversion. by the way, there is no way an original wheel will fit over the calipers.

I measured the tires I have now they are 6.70 - 15 which measure abut 5" at the tread and 8" at the fattest point of the side walls. as it sits on the ground there is about 1" clearance between both the frame rails and the fender skirts. I could go with 225/75 tires but that would drop that to around 1/2" on either side and I'm not comfortable with that little clearance.

I'm going to go with 215/75 tires which will keep it closer to the 1" I'm happy with.

the disk brakes and dual master cylinder will have to wait till next spring when I tear the car down to parade rest and begin the restoration process, then I'll have better access to the brake cylinder area to fab up a conversion.

thanks again.

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Larry
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 02, 2016 10:07 am    Post subject: Brakes Reply with quote

Check with Speedway Motors. They sell a master cylinder setup that bolts to the frame as the old one did. It might not be a 100% direct hookup, but it should be able to use the original through-the-floor pedals and all.

On my '40 Pontiac I elected to put a dual booster/dual reservoir on the firewall and add hanging pedals. However, a friend, also with a '40, used the frame mounted setup.

Speedway has a great tech support department. You might want to call and ask them about the frame mounted setup.

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