Disc brake conversion on my 1956 Oldsmobile

Any updates on this? I'm looking at possibly doing a disc brake upgrade to my 98 coupe.
I have the factory power brake setup, would this work with discs with maybe a proportioning valve put in the line?
Thanks
Russell

 

I did a similar swap on my '59 Ford. I won't mention the maker of the kit, but I should have gone with the Scarebird brackets and hunted up the rest of the parts.

The brackets were plasma cut (or done by a similar process) and the caliper wasn't even close to fitting. If I didn't have a machine shop at my fingertips, getting it to work would be impossible. Live and learn is all I can say.

 

Still haven't driven the car since I changed the brakes. Should have the engine back soon and I'll post up a report then.

As far as the power brakes go, it shouldn't be an issue. You need the proportioning valves since you're running discs up front, and drums in the back.

 

Drove it down the road for the first time after the rebuild, the other day.
Stops great! I'm really happy with the way the disc brake conversion turned out.
I'm still having a few things on the engine and transmission to sort out, so I haven't put any miles on it yet...

 

That's great to see. A friend has the same disc kit you have so I will copy the caliper bracket and hopefully pick up the discs, bearings etc when we are in Vegas in May. Where would be the best place to source all the bits?
Cheers
Russell

 

@Rckt98 I would probably try NAPA or if you can find some old locally owned parts stores with the old timers behind the counter. No offense, but they can work the old books

Some of the parts are available through Speedway, if you check my initial post again.

 

Just figured I'd update this thread.
Got around 600 miles on the setup now. The brakes are working great!
I've been on a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway and also some heavy traffic situations.
Also been using the car as a daily driver for the last two weeks.

The brakes feel consistent and save. I can only recommend this swap to everybody that's on the fence about it.
I think you won't regret your decision!

Here's another pic for good measure:

 

Great Thread Martin thanks for posting and getting back to me

 

Has anyone used this kit with there factory master cylinder ?

 

It is unlikely that the factory master has capacity for disk brake calipers. You would also need to remove the residual valve and add one to the rear line.

 

Yes that’s what I’m starting to gather , could the factory residual valve be removed thou ?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

"Could the factory residual valve be removed thou ?"
Sure, Guess you call it "reverse engineering"? It may be behind the brass thingy that the steel line seals against, remove by running a small screw into it and prying with a screw "bar".
Worst case scenario, you need another master...

 

Not sure if it could be done, but my main reason to go with the Corvette master cylinder was that it has two reservoirs. If something goes wrong with one circle, the second one would still stop the car.

 

Martin, with this being and older thread do you remember if there was possibly enough room to cram a hyroboost between the bracket and steering box? I like your setup, clean and functional. I'm not a big fan of relocating to the firewall.

 

Martin moved back to Germany a few years ago. Don't think he has had any postings in a long time.