Hello

Can someone with simular experiences provide some help in converting
a 1969 Firebird/Camaro with drum brake spindles to disc brakes.

I have obtained the Disc brake doner components from a 1972 GM Monte Carlo body and will use the rotors and calipers etc.
but the spindle from this car will not work because of steering arm location on the Firebird/Camaro is different.

I had read from another website site that the 72 Monte Carlo would work and spent some time in the mud pulling it and now discover that the steering link is a front steer instead of rear.

I also read from the same web site that you can use the existing steering arm from the drum brake setup(2bolts) however the Monte Carlo spindle is one piece and unless I'm missing something there is no way to bolt the F-body steering arm to it.

thanks in advance for any assistance that will work with my existing drum brake spindles.

thanks in advance for your time!
Steve
Irving Tx.

it is always alot better to get a disc brake set up from the same kind of a car you are installing it on.that way you know the parts will fit without modification and you know what to ask for at the parts house later on when repair work is necessary.sounds like you got the wrong parts.you will also need the 3 proportioning valves to do the job right.if you need the right parts.i have [email protected]

Thanks I will keep your contact info, the parts chosen again were what was expected to work. Birds are scarce in the wrecking yards here.

Ps- do you have the spindles only in stock that will work with my donor calipers??

clssic car buff, Have a short list of donors that work, they are:67-69 Camaro& firebird
67-72 Chevelle, Lemans, Cutlass
& Skylark
70-72 Nova, Ventura2, Omega
You want a rear steering setup from a donor & then use your steering arm from the drum brakes. I've done 2 of these conversions and use only the spindle & backing plate, use the calipers as a core for new ones. You need to get the master cylinder and vacumn booster to match the donor. Also recommend new brake lines. Maybe some one can give you more info as to donors & stuff. benny

You got the right parts.

72 monte works fine, and is the same as chevelle, lemans, and cutlass. The spindles, caliper brackets, backing plates, and rotors are nearly identical to '69 firebird.

Use your drum steering arms.
Calipers and steering arms face rear. Just put them on the sides of the car where they will do so.
Use monte calipers and hoses too. They should meet the drum lines w/o the major modification needed to use Firebird calipers and hoses.

There are not 3 proportioning valves.

There are 2 valves which regulate pressure, and there is a splitter with warning switch.
One valve delays front application, and one restricts rear pressure in proportion to front.

The splitter was the same on disc and drum cars to 1971.

You can use the combo valve from the monte to do all the functions, or you can get a front delay valve and use it with your drum splitter/switch.

If you are front heavy, you will also need a valve to regulate rear pressure. FGF's used them on v8 A/C cars only.

I also agree with new calipers, hoses lines, etc.

WRONG SCOTT,THERE ARE 3 VALVES.2 BY THE MASTER AND ONE BOLTED TO THE SUB FRAME.PARTS MAY INTERCHANGE BUT I BELIEVE IT IS BEST TO DO THE JOB THE CORRECT WAY RATHER THAN MIX/MATCH PARTS,ADJUST THIS,THAT TO MAKE IT WORK.I ALWAYS PREFER DRIVING A CAR THAT WILL STOP.

Whatever. I prefer my cars to stop WELL.

I did just notice the part about the Monte knuckle is a 1 piece. If it is, then I am wrong about using it.
Monte '72 should have 2 piece knuckles. Perhaps you have '73 parts, or my info is wrong.

this is the list i have:

Apollo 73-74
Buick Special 69-72
Camaro 69
Chevelle 69-72
Firebird 69
Grand Prix 69
Grand Prix 70-72
Monte Carlo 70-72
Nova 69-74
Olds F85 69-72
Omega 73-74
Sprint gmc 71-72
El Camino 71-72
Tempest 69-72
Ventura II 71-74

I got it from:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/

He is using '72 Monte Carlo brakes on his '67 camaro.


Steve, I apologize.
Read thru David's site, he has a lot of great info.

edit:
I have the part # for the knuckle as 3966151, fitting "GM “A, F & X” Body, Mid-size GM Nova Camaro
1964-72 1968-74 1967-69"
But, I also have that # as being the Chevrolet #, while the Pontiac # was 478171 for the 67-69 'bird, 69-72 GP, and 67-72 Tempest. The difference being the diameter of the bolt holes.

edit:
Monte is a G body, like the Grand Prix

Can't you just switch the driver and passenger side spindles to make it rear steer?

Front steer arms where the tierod hooks in are said to be higher up. This would effect bumpsteer, making it a little more squirrely, esp. on cornering. No sense in doing an upgrade and downgrade at the same time.