I'm building this '58 buick century. Is there a modern steering box that will swap over? I'm also seaching for a good disc brake swap. Have any of you fellas made upgrades in these areas?
Master Power used to make a disc brake kit. But I dont see it in their catalog anymore. But Scarebird has some stuff for it. As for the steering, I have no clue, haven't really looked into it.
I thought some of these pics would help, but I don't have the ones to show the brakes etc. Interesting car. Built by a friend and his brother as a clone to their high school hot rod Century. Built 425" Nailhead, they went through 3 or 4 425's to get a good block. Pretty sure the M/C is Corvette, but you better check first. Not sure exactly what the front discs are, Corvette rings a bell, but so does brakes from one of the aftermarket disc brake people. Again, check before you start flinging the green stuff around. Front clip is rebuilt stock Buick w/ gas shocks. Rear axle is 9" Ford with parallel leafs. Fuel Cell in the trunk. Trans, built Super Turbine. Steering column is GM tilt. Steering box is a commonly available GM power unit. They may have used a Saginaw 605. Go over to the Borgeson site for some great steering box pics and ID's. I think the steering box was a bolt-in. As you can see, they turned out a nice car, sorta resto looking, a bit custom, but pure hot rod in its heart. Helluva stick to it job, about the 2nd n.g. Nailhead block and I woulda been looking for a 455 and T-400. Woulda been faster with a BBB at 462" or so, but so far I don't think they've seen too many taillights....
Reggie, Is the paint and body work already done?? I remember you telling me about the Buick but let's see some pictures.
Scarebird Mechanical has some great kits.....front and rears. I used his kit for the front disc brake conversion on my 1960 Pontiac race car......couldn't stop the damn thing ... He will sell you a adapter plate to mount disc brake hardware which he provides a parts list and instructions. I only spent about $425.00-$450.00 for my change over . That included a new MC & adjustible proportioning valve from Summit..
hi nice looking buick . not sure about this but if the chassis is the same as a chevy you can find disc brake setups quite easily scarebird is one,wilwood and just about any chevy parts house.as far as the 605 did it in my chevy and it works ,it does have a little wander to it but that seems to be normal for a 605 after all it's like 40 y o technology. search for upgraded chevy steering boxs and you will find some new boxes on the market which are supposed to work a little better
Scarebird is an Alliance Vendor... Not sure if it's different than full size Chevy's of the same years but Speedway has this... http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/4625,961_Deluxe-Disc-Brake-Kits-1955-1964-Chevy-Car-Full-Size-Car.html I remember reading an article in "Rod & Custom" (I think) about conversion kits made for adapting newer power steering boxes... http://ww2.borgeson.com/POWER%20STEERING/CONVERSION%20KITS.html Maybe they can steer you in the right direction if they don't have it?
Buick is nothing like a Chevy in 58. A 800 series Saginaw will bolt in, the stock pitman will fit it too. A small notch is needed at the bottom of the frame, at the front of the box.
Buick Al-Fin drums are the industry's best- I didn't feel any need to change mine over on my '59 (am putting Kelvar shoes in them, tho). Stock, PopMech's Uncle Tom got a '60 Invicta to stop 60-0 in 138' on skinny bias plys.
Hey Reggie! I did a google and found the 800 is probably the most common box out there. You probably new that...
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