Drums to Discs
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 736
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From: Cincinnati
Drums to Discs
Hi Guys,
What all is involved in converting the drums on a 8.8 to discs?
More importantly, is it worth it?
Thanks,
Mike
94 F-150 XLT
302 (soon to be a 351W) 5 speed 4x2
What all is involved in converting the drums on a 8.8 to discs?
More importantly, is it worth it?
Thanks,
Mike
94 F-150 XLT
302 (soon to be a 351W) 5 speed 4x2
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: arcata, ca
check out www . tsmmfg . com. they have completes and partials, give you the list of parts , and seem to have a good price. i was going to do my '76 E250 this year, but thanks to the braindead guy who pulled out in front of me my rear discs are on a mew '05 E350 6.0. darn.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: USA
Now when you guys did the conversion - did you swap out the master cylinder to reflect the volume change in fluid needed for the rear discs?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 330
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From: arcata, ca
i was actually looking at an electric powered booster/master cylinder for my setup, i believe it came in disc/drum and disc/disc sizes, but i did not realize the need for more fluid, thanks for pointing that out.
Last edited by haroldservice; Sep 4, 2005 at 12:18 PM. Reason: more info
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: USA
Well most disc brake calipers have 2.5" or so diameter pistons and as the pads wear down the piston moves farther out of the caliper, that space is filled by the brake fluid - hence Disc Calipers autoadjusting. If you didn't have a big enough resevior in the master cylinder you might wind up pumping air into the system if you don't keep tabs on your Brake fluid level.
Most rear drum applications have a small wheel cylinder which is about 1" in diameter - that is about 2/3 less volume to fill it..
Most rear drum applications have a small wheel cylinder which is about 1" in diameter - that is about 2/3 less volume to fill it..
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Steve, I have gone to a newer hydroboost setup from a Superduty with a new MC also but the company I bought my disk brake kit from does a LOT of them and he said that with full size trucks, both Ford and Chevy, he's never had to change the master cylinder OR the proportioning valve. He did mention that some smaller rigs like Yotas and Jeeps needed an adjustable proportioning valve but he said the master cylinders will work just fine. So far so good on my system. I assume the Superduty's use rear discs.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: USA
True, but that is because rear-drums aren't the best design and don't self adjust as well as they should... If you had an adjustable proportioning valve you could work it such that all 4 brakes are working in unison...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I don't have a clue man. I bolted it all together, bled them and I can lock up all 4 at the same time. When I was down at Blackbird's shop there was a Chevy down there they'd just put the brakes on. They tested it out in the street and it looked like there was a vacuum under the truck it sucked down so fast. All they did was bolt on the new brackets and add the disc brake calipers.
