Pontiac 8 lug to disc brakes

Hello, I need help/info how to put disc brakes to 1961 Pontiac 8 lugs! Can I use normal GM spindles & parts or????

Thanks in advance, Bob

 

If you have the budget and want to keep the 8 lugs...

http://www.arrowheadcomponentsinc.com/aciproducts/discbrakeconversion.html

 

http://www.arrowheadcomponentsinc.com/aciproducts/discbrakeconversion.html

http://www.roush.com/our-capabilities/prototype-services/vehicle-restoration.aspx

Here goes, $2K Roush conversion isn't cheap. Appears that the wheels were 5 on 5 pattern originally

 

Hey scarebird on ebay sells a kit that uses later model gm parts,you get caliper mounting bracket and bearing spacer for under $200,they also offer a kit for the rear.Look under ebay item #370477744047 for front kit.this is a nice simple kit,I used one in the past and worked real good.

Jratz

 

True he does and for many cars Jratz1966 but that doesn't help Basicbob keep his 8 lug wheels. That kit uses 5 lug wheels. On this deal I'd think it's spring for the 2K setup or go to five lug.

 

IIRC, the 8-lugs are 14". That will limit the size of the disc setups which will fit inside, regardless of what will bolt to the spindle.

If cost is no problem, several wheel companies would be happy to make 16"s with the 8-lug centers, then the more common GM disc setups become a possibility.

jack vines

 

my bad,didn't catch the part about keeping the 8 lug,I know a guy who took a pair of rear 8 lug drums and cut the liner part off like what roush does and bolted them on a 5 lug rotor,he had to buy a set of 15" outer rims from BOP ,but keeps the original look and alot cheaper then 2k that roush gets.

 

It fairly obvious from this photo what needs to happen … id bet that’s nothing more than the face of a rear 8 lug drum bolted to a 5 on 5 rotor.

 

Yeah.



Looks like they trimmed off the rest of the bell on a rear drum, and bolted it on a rotor.



I am fairly certain that if you can ID the spindles and brakes, you can do this too, for a fair chunk less than $2250.

 

The easiest way to get a rotor on any spindle is to simply use the drum brake hub w bearings that already fits your spindle.

In this case.
1 Find the non 8 lug drum and hub
2 Make sure it fit’s the spindle …. Remove drum.
3 Take the hub with you to the parts store or wrecking yard and find a rotor hat that fits.
4 Then fab up your own caliper brackets …. (weld on speedways are a good start)
5 If diameter is to large for 14’s ??? id cut down the rotors until the caliper fits.

Obviously you will need to do some leg work - do some cutting and welding - need a tolerant parts guy or two - possibly a friend w a lathe…..but its doable.

 

A friend of mine put the Roush kit on a 1961 Ventura. It uses new reproduction castings from Arrowhead components with the back half machined off. It worked out well, but it does space the wheel out about 1/2" so you need to keep that in mind when sizing your tires and wheels. You can get reproduction 8 lug wheels in 15" or larger sizes from BOP Engineering.

As mentioned above, the kit from Scarebird is the cheapest way to go, but of course it uses conventional wheels. Also, the disk brake setup from a 1968-1970 full size Pontiac will bolt right on to a 1961 car, but the problems is the rotors for that setup are just about nonexistent, and expensive if you can find them.

 

Hello, thanks for all for the disc brake info (Arrowhead).
Where do I buy 16" or 17" 8 lug wheels?

I also need a rust free 1961 Pontiac hardtop drivers door. Catalina or other big car, I'm willing to weld up trim holes.

Thanks Bob
417-861-7988

 

You can get the wheels here: http://www.bopengineering.com/pontiac_full_size.shtml Standard is 15", they can do 14" or 16" but I don't know about anything bigger than that. For the door try board member Applekrate, he has an all Pontiac salvage yard in Arizona. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=51037 Also, 1962 doors will fit a 1961 so that broadens your choices a little. Closer to home you can check with http://www.indianapontiacs.com/ in Muncie, Indiana.

 

The stock Pontiac front hubs were spindle mount. You need to use rear hubs. There is a RH thread and a LH thread stud.
When I built my 34 I used four right rear hubs.
There is also a difference in the angle of the fins in the earlier and later versions. Don't remember the year difference.

We change the bolt pattern to 5 on 4 3/4" BC.
Made custom lug nuts and modified aluminum wheels to the 8 bolt pattern. Also made the hub caps.
This was in 85.

 

Sorry for all of the posts but it would not let me put them all in at once for some reason.

 

I thought the 8-lugs were decent brakes on their own? Although if the drums are worn out you have an issue.

 

Along those same lines, does anyone know who makes 15" rims for 8 lug wheels?

 

see Stuarts earlier post for this thread...BOP Engineering

 

another unique historical option falling to trendiness

 

Yes. As I recall, those are some pretty good drum brakes, having had a couple 60's big Ponchos, and one with 8 lugs.

Brian