Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 510
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From: Charlotte
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
I just swapped drum brakes for disks on my 65. Pulled my motor yesterday to prep the engine compartment and clean/paint.
The extremely good article in the technical section on this site referring to Disk Brake upgrades, states that 3/16 steel tubing is needed for replacing the brake lines. I have 25 feet of 1/4 inch tubing here. Would that work or would the line be too big?
Thanks,
Tim
The extremely good article in the technical section on this site referring to Disk Brake upgrades, states that 3/16 steel tubing is needed for replacing the brake lines. I have 25 feet of 1/4 inch tubing here. Would that work or would the line be too big?
Thanks,
Tim
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethtown, PA
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
Tried that idea, didn't work. 
The larger diameter line won't bleed as the master cylinder can't move enough fluid...it ends up drawing air back into the cylinder and acts like a bad master. Took me awhile to figure that one out.
The smaller lines are cheap, and are much easier to bend anyway.
The article on this site is very good, but not all-inclusive of the swap. I wrote my own in addition to it:
My disc swap how-to
It's worth the effort!
The larger diameter line won't bleed as the master cylinder can't move enough fluid...it ends up drawing air back into the cylinder and acts like a bad master. Took me awhile to figure that one out.
The smaller lines are cheap, and are much easier to bend anyway.
The article on this site is very good, but not all-inclusive of the swap. I wrote my own in addition to it:
My disc swap how-to
It's worth the effort!
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
That's a great read! Thank you!
Have you attempted the power steering swap yet? I am in the middle of a large project on my 65:
Power Disk Brakes
Manual 3 speed to C6
Manual steering to power
300 I6 to 390 FE
Got the disk brakes on but haven't run the brake lines yet. Your article will be a BIG help.
Pulled the 6, steering column and gearbox yesterday. Planning on cleaning up and painting the engine bay before doing anything else. Then I will run the brake lines. Since I need to exchange the brake lines, guess that is incentive to pressure wash the engine bay.
Thanks again.
Tim
Have you attempted the power steering swap yet? I am in the middle of a large project on my 65:
Power Disk Brakes
Manual 3 speed to C6
Manual steering to power
300 I6 to 390 FE
Got the disk brakes on but haven't run the brake lines yet. Your article will be a BIG help.
Pulled the 6, steering column and gearbox yesterday. Planning on cleaning up and painting the engine bay before doing anything else. Then I will run the brake lines. Since I need to exchange the brake lines, guess that is incentive to pressure wash the engine bay.
Thanks again.
Tim
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethtown, PA
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
Tim,
Glad you found it helpful. I like making stuff like that (instructional web sites), sort of my way of giving back to the internet since I get a lot from it.
Anyhow, I have not done the pwr steering. The steering as-is doesn't aggravate me nearly as much as the brakes did, but I am thinking in the future I may want to look at doing it. Keeping my eyes open for the parts. If you can find a Bendix box (sorta rare), you don't have to shorten the steering column.
However, in your case, since you are changing the trans and everything, you may just want to swap in a complete column (auto) from a newer truck with matching steering box. That will probably line everything up correctly for you.
Search the archives here and you'll find lots about the steering swap.
Glad you found it helpful. I like making stuff like that (instructional web sites), sort of my way of giving back to the internet since I get a lot from it.
Anyhow, I have not done the pwr steering. The steering as-is doesn't aggravate me nearly as much as the brakes did, but I am thinking in the future I may want to look at doing it. Keeping my eyes open for the parts. If you can find a Bendix box (sorta rare), you don't have to shorten the steering column.
However, in your case, since you are changing the trans and everything, you may just want to swap in a complete column (auto) from a newer truck with matching steering box. That will probably line everything up correctly for you.
Search the archives here and you'll find lots about the steering swap.
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery, AL
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
Hey,
I put a '79 front end w/ disc on my 66 and didnt have to replace anything but the rubber hose on each side. This maybe a dumb question, but why replace the lines?
I put a '79 front end w/ disc on my 66 and didnt have to replace anything but the rubber hose on each side. This maybe a dumb question, but why replace the lines?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 510
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From: Charlotte
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
Hey David,
I am replacing the column and have question for you or anyone else reading.
My old 65 column has just the turn signal and horn. The wiring is really simple. However, the column I am using is from a 73 power/auto and has about twice as many wires.
Been looking for a simple answer on this as I am sure this is one. But wiring schematics are hard to come by.
Any suggestions?
I am replacing the column and have question for you or anyone else reading.
My old 65 column has just the turn signal and horn. The wiring is really simple. However, the column I am using is from a 73 power/auto and has about twice as many wires.
Been looking for a simple answer on this as I am sure this is one. But wiring schematics are hard to come by.
Any suggestions?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethtown, PA
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
You can just put the '79 front parts on with new hoses, but you're missing one of the main points of the upgrade in still having the (unsafe) single circuit master cylinder. If you go to a dual circuit system, you pretty much need the prop valve just for the plumbing, and then there's the whole rear brake lockup thing.
:-staun
Can't help you with the column wiring question, but I'm sure someone else has BTDT.
:-staun
Can't help you with the column wiring question, but I'm sure someone else has BTDT.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 255
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth
Disk Brake conversion-Brake lines
Other than the dual circuit reason (which is a biggie) disk brakes also use more fluid than drums - if you are running them both on the same circuit you aren't getting anywhere near the full power the disks can provide.
Look at it this way; the rear cylinder is what, maybe 3/4" across? The caliper is 3 or 4" across, right? put the same amount of fluid in each cavity and which one moves more - the drum's little cylinder, by a lot! (because of leverage the wheel cylinder does have to move a little farther than the drum, but not on a 5 or 6 to one ratio). That is why when you look at disk/drum master cylinders the disk side is so much bigger than the drum - it has to push more fluid to the disks to work correctly.
Look at it this way; the rear cylinder is what, maybe 3/4" across? The caliper is 3 or 4" across, right? put the same amount of fluid in each cavity and which one moves more - the drum's little cylinder, by a lot! (because of leverage the wheel cylinder does have to move a little farther than the drum, but not on a 5 or 6 to one ratio). That is why when you look at disk/drum master cylinders the disk side is so much bigger than the drum - it has to push more fluid to the disks to work correctly.
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