Brake Swap/Front End

[earlsat]

I'm new to the site and am looking for help with the first project I need to do. The car is in need of a complete brake job.

I plan on doing the front brake swap from drums to discs (based on the Mopar Online Disc-O-Tech article) and figure as long as I've got the front end apart, I might as well give the suspension a once over. I'm looking for any suggestions on what I should do for the front end.

Another issue is the rear-end. This originally had a 318 with a non Sure-grip rear end. With the 440, I need to change that out too. How difficult is it to swap in a Sure-Grip and where can I find one?

So any help is appreciated.

 

[miller]

I'm looking for any suggestions on what I should do for the front end.

A service manual would help alot! But, past that, on the front end stuff, check (or replace) all the rubber parts, bushings and the like. Waste of time unless they are in good shape. Of course, probably a good idea to plan on ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

Rear axle...had a small block...probably has an 8 1/4" rear. For a big block motor, you should be looking at an 8 3/4" rear, tossing a sure-grip into the deal. One of the other guys can tell you on the springs. (I've never had a SB car, so don't know on them).

 

[earlsat]

A service manual would help alot! But, past that, on the front end stuff, check (or replace) all the rubber parts, bushings and the like. Waste of time unless they are in good shape. Of course, probably a good idea to plan on ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

Rear axle...had a small block...probably has an 8 1/4" rear. For a big block motor, you should be looking at an 8 3/4" rear, tossing a sure-grip into the deal. One of the other guys can tell you on the springs. (I've never had a SB car, so don't know on them).

Do you know of a good source for service manuals. And should I figure on replacing the front torsion springs too?

 

[miller]

65 B-body...google Mopar service manuals. Think the website is MyMopar, but there's free online copies of the manuals.
Yeah, on the torsion bars. Your's will be the light load bars for small blocks. Though it will be your preference on that. Some guys use the lighter bars.

 

[doublekrossd]

first, you gotta find out what rear end you have, then go from there. when I bought my car, I found someone had already put a 489 cased 8-3/4 rear in it with a sure-grip. I added super stock springs, different pinion snubber, new shocks on all 4 corners, and left the 318 torsion bars. I was told that with the lighter torsion bars, it will transfer weight to the rear better. Not sure if its true or not but I haven't had an issue holding that 440 in place with them. As far as brakes go, that's on my list for this winter as well. I've looked quite a bit and am liking the wildwood or ssbc kits. Then there's the dream of a hydro-boost system.... those are really nice!

The work to do that stuff is pretty easy if your mechanically inclined (assuming you are) although properly setting up the center section on the rear end can take a little specialty practice. check the for sale ads or craigslist, there's a lot of parts out in the world

 

[earlsat]

first, you gotta find out what rear end you have, then go from there. when I bought my car, I found someone had already put a 489 cased 8-3/4 rear in it with a sure-grip. I added super stock springs, different pinion snubber, new shocks on all 4 corners, and left the 318 torsion bars. I was told that with the lighter torsion bars, it will transfer weight to the rear better. Not sure if its true or not but I haven't had an issue holding that 440 in place with them. As far as brakes go, that's on my list for this winter as well. I've looked quite a bit and am liking the wildwood or ssbc kits. Then there's the dream of a hydro-boost system.... those are really nice!

The work to do that stuff is pretty easy if your mechanically inclined (assuming you are) although properly setting up the center section on the rear end can take a little specialty practice. check the for sale ads or craigslist, there's a lot of parts out in the world

Thanks for the encouragement. I haven't really worked on any cars since my 1971 Satellite that I junked way back in 1982. I've got a 21 year old son that owes me for helping with his Porsche.

 

[doublekrossd]

Good luck with it and don't forget to ask lots of questions! This forum has saved my *** a few times now! Fricking great group of people here!