Formal caliper brackets on 73 spindles....

[thrashingcows]

OK here's some history.

Converted the wagon to 73 Disc brake set-up 8 years ago(?), and I have had continuing problems with brakes all around on the wagon. When I put the 73 set-up on the wagon I only re-used the spindles and caliper brackets...everything else was reman'd or new.

I have had a lot of brake issues over the years. Seems to be the one major issue with the wagon. Currently I have drilled and slotted front rotors. Rear disc brake set-up from Scarebord on the 8 3/4 in the back. Reman'd disc brake booster, 80's 5th Ave master cylinder. No proportioning valve, straight off the MC to the front calipers, and an adjustable brake valve for the rear lines.

So what's happening now is this.... I replaced the front calipers last year, since I had one side that was dragging. This solved that problem, but now I have a major "Clunk" when applying the brakes, softly or hard. I have cop car rims on the wagon and have had a friend watch what was going on while braking. Seems that the calipers are grabbing the rotor and then flexing, moving on the pins and hitting the caliper mounts. I replaced the pins thinking that might be my issue...but the problem persists.

Only thing I can think of is the durometer rating of the rubber bushing in the caliper ears is a lot softer then it should be? My older reman'd calipers I removed never had this problem.

So after all that I finally get to my question. Can I swap a set of 74-78 caliper brackets and calipers onto my 73 spindles and rotors? The fact that the Formal set-up does not have any rubber bushings or pins in the system appeals to me and my current situation.

Thoughts?

 

[Mr C]

Formal brakes would solve your issue and are still relatively plentiful. I've never had an issue with brake performance on a Formal.

However, I have no idea if the dimensions of the Formal set up will swap over to the Slab.

 

[Badvert65]

I am pretty certain that you can swap over to the other caliper if you use the bracket that holds the caliper.

 

[commando1]

Never heard of anyone finding a way to mount 74+ rotors on earlier models. Been keeping my eyes open for years on this subject but everything I read says "No".
Has anyone found The Northwest Passage yet?


I have often referred to this link for some pertinent info on the spindle dimensions.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0#

 

[67-Fury]

Not to change topic but what is the Scarebird Rear disk conversion set up like? don't they use like Cadillac calipers or something like that.

 

[68plymouth383]

I'm liking the scarebird front setup more, and more. They don't use pin type calipers like the 69-73 c bodys do. They use 94-99 dodge truck 1500 calipers. I don't have an answer to the formal brake question. My best suggestion if you have a friend that has a formal, and you can eye ball the parts side by side, and fit up. That's what I'd do if I was going this direction.

 

[commando1]

I found a thread where a guy showed how he modified the 74+ spindle for his own unique situation.
Man, it took a lot of machining and torching.


What I envision is someone to repop 73 spindles.
Make a fortune.
I've found the machinist.
Who wants to invest in the castings?

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I have a 74 formal brake setup( off the car) that I can measure and picture, let me know, I would assume bolt to bolt and inside height?

 

[commando1]

I have a 74 formal brake setup( off the car) that I can measure and picture, let me know, I would assume bolt to bolt and inside height?

All that info is here, Dave.
73 vs 74. Dimensions

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

 

[thrashingcows]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Stan...I don't want to swap the rotors....I figured that they wold be essentially the same, dimension wise, as the 73 units? Just the Caliper brackets and calipers.

Dave...Thanks for the offer....might take you up on that.

 

[thrashingcows]

Not to change topic but what is the Scarebird Rear disk conversion set up like? don't they use like Cadillac calipers or something like that.

I'm liking the scarebird front setup more, and more. They don't use pin type calipers like the 69-73 c bodys do. They use 94-99 dodge truck 1500 calipers.

Personally I don't like it. It works fine and all, but it bothers me for some reason. I am going to be removing it soon, and going back to good my 11x2.5 rear drum set-up.

 

[commando1]

They are still building vehicles with disc/drum combos.

 

[68plymouth383]

Right. I was referring to the scarebird front disc setup. I will be keeping my rear drums intact. I don't see the need to go 4 wheel disc.

Personally I don't like it. It works fine and all, but it bothers me for some reason. I am going to be removing it soon, and going back to good my 11x2.5 rear drum set-up.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

All that info is here, Dave.
73 vs 74. Dimensions

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Well I'm busy today back in Ohio which is extra driving no time to look at links LOL.

 

[commando1]

You don't have Heads Up display yet, huh?

 

[thrashingcows]

Anyone have some Formal caliper brackets they want to part with?

 

[Mr onetwo]

I don't know what you guy's opinion of the "Ramman" is, but in this video he says pin style calipers are superior to sliding style:shruggy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh6KEYZnxk8

 

[68plymouth383]

Wayne Brown theramman is a cool guy. He's straight up honest, and will bend over backwards to help out the mopar community. I went through some brake issues a few years ago, after a couple phone calls with him. And some wrench time it's all sorted out. His cost for help. Zero!! He didn't ask me to buy anything. He's a straight up good guy. He is a great asset to the mopar community.

 

[67-Fury]

I was watching some of his videos he seems pretty cool and knowledgeable.

 

[thrashingcows]

Thank you for that link Mr. OneTwo....That vid is making me re-consider my game plan. ;)

I wonder if my problem is with the Napa Calipers I used, as opposed to an issue with the caliper system it's self? I can't see there being a whole lot of different manufacturers for the rubber bushings in these calipers though? Maybe it was a bad batch?

Much to think about an ponder.