Disc brakes

[James_Douglas]

From time to time, I have had to have a long talk with Ralph at ECI.  He did a custom kit for me and a guy in Texas for our Desoto Suburban's which have different chassis and brakes than all the other cars.

 

I also got an ECI kit for the front of the 1949 Convertible with their aluminum hubs. Their stuff is generally ok, but it is far from "bolt-in".  Some of that is just due to the production differences in the cars from Chrysler and Ralph I am sure just does not see enough of them to make each variation for each car.

 

So, if you go in with your eyes wide open that you will have to do some custom work, then ECI is for you. If not, then find another vendor with a "pure" bolt on kit and good luck with that.  Or, take it to a specialty shop that can handle the minor custom work for you.  Don has figured out most of the stuff as to the dual master cylinder issues.

 

On my 1949, it looks like Desoto used Three and perhaps Four spindles in production on the "true" 1949-1950 models.  So, in my case the hub spindle spacer Ralph provided did not work.  We went round and round until we both realized there were not 2 but 3 or 4 spindles.  He worked with me and made a spacer that worked. 

 

On the 1949 I designed the rear disc conversion myself using the stock rear hubs.  Nice job if I say so myself.

 

On both the 1947 and 1949 I replaced all the line with new.  I also, use adaptors and use Russell Racing DOT approved steel braded flex lines.  I did that because I use the stock master cylinder.

 

I have made but not installed, a rear disc set up for the 1947.

 

On the 1949 I used the stock MC to "feed" a Midland Ross remote power brake booster in the trunk.  From there it goes out to all 4 disc's.  I also found that the early 1950's Chrysler's that had power brakes (I have three of those units in a box in parts) used A DIFFERENT PEDAL AND A DIFFERENT PUSHROD.

 

I am using a early 1950's Chrysler Power Brake car MC, pushrod, and pedal. 

 

The 1949 stops TO GOOD.  It can send you through the windshield if you hit it too hard at slower speeds.  When I do the 1947 Desoto Rear disc set up, I am going to try it first without power assist.

 

I may take off the power on the '49 if the '47 proves to not need it.

 

James.

Edited January 6, 2016 by James_Douglas

[mopar_earl]

On my 52 Coronet the ECI disc and dual master kits were direct bolt on. No modification need on the kits or the car. I did make some brackets to hold the brake hoses away from the tires. They might of been fine but I made the brackets to hold the hoses further away from the tires for my comfort level lol I'm using some deeper wheels so that put the tires closer than the stock offset/backspacing.

The dual master kit all we did was add a pedal stop tab like the original master had. I didn't need a shim like Don needed as my style of bracket had no play. My clutch pedal is on the fame so only my brake pedal attached to the ECI bracket. that's the only mods we had to do. We also painted the brackets.

I've put over 500 miles on these kits in two months and I love them. Car brakes excellent and straight. Looking forward to rear disc when I do the explorer rear axle.

Earl

[mopar_earl]

Note, my car had 11" drums, fluid coupling and the clutch pedal mounts on the frame. All questions Ralph asked to get me the correct bracket for the dual master and disc kits. Also my hubs didnt use any spacers.

Earl

[YukonJack]

I wish I had known that they make double master cylinders with booster and brake pedal attached that bolt where the original ones were on the 46-48 Plymouths.   $249 @ Speedway motors...  Think I may still do that if I can convert to front discs and still use the original rims.

I was just on Speedways website. I didn't see any brackets specifically for 46-48 Plymouth. Only Ford & Chevy.

[J.R.]

What options are there for a bolt on kit for a 50 Chrysler Windsor? Scarebird is only a few miles from me and I have used their brackets in the past on a 56 Oldsmobile, very nice brackets! Just wondering if anyone has used their 50 Chrysler kit?

[J.R.]

Got an email from Scarebird today with the install sheet for a 50 Chrysler attached...

 

[James_Douglas]

I am going to reiterate on what I said in my last post in this thread.

 

There ARE production differences that took place on these cars.  The part number may well be the same, but the dimensions can be different.  I found that out on the spindle issue on the 1949. 

 

I know for a fact that cars made in the Los Angles plant that come online in 1949 had some parts that are different than the Detroit Plant.

 

So, just because a kit works on one year/make/model of car by no means tells us that it will work on another.  So few of these kits are sold that any manufacturer that claims that his kit is bolt-on for sure if full of themselves.  My experience that there are 4 different spindles used in 1949-1950 on Chrysler and Desoto is the case in point.

 

So, I caution anyone doing a disc conversion that even if a manufacturer tells you it is bolt on, it may be or it may not be.

 

James.

[Windsor50]

On 1/5/2016 at 0:05 AM, deathbound said:

 

Any pics of the power disc set-up (master, booster, etc.) on the '40 Plymouth?

Check out at Butch's Cool Stuff. I used that set up for my 51 Windsor. But if you want to lay out the frame, you may possibly need to raise the master cylinder bracket on the frame. Also, recommend that Scarebird has some really quality disc brakes set ups there. AAJ provides for rear end differentials, but you can also find them from The Right Stuff as well.

[Dartgame]

I used AAJ's stuff, he has a kit for rear discs using the stock axle and a tandem underfloor master cyl bracket. All worked well and uses over the counter parts and u can use the oem wheels . Only issue I had was the master cylinder. I ended up using a master power remote reservoir unit. Not enough room for a stock style with built in reservoir. Roger is a heck of a nice guy - very helpful and responsive.