1970 Valiant Disc Brake Conversion

[S'cuder]

Buy what appeals to you, but consider using a kit based on stock parts. Calipers, pads and rotors that were used on production cars will be easier to find than proprietary parts used by companies like SSBC or Wilwood. When they discontinue a line of products or go out of business, you're up the creek for wear parts. I know a guy who used a SSBC kit because they were local to here. They went belly up, and he was stuck for rotors. He changed the entire setup using stock spindles and caliper brackets. To add insult to injury, SSBC was reborn, and might have rotors again.
My first stop would be Dr Diff, and I'd check Scarebird, too. Both base kits on parts you can get anywhere.

 

[TechMavn]

Tk you. Appears replacing with B body spindles, ball joints and A arms may get me there better. Some of the kits substitute that in I see. Thank you

 

[TechMavn]

I checked both. Both offer rotors and calipers. No master cyl, boost, balancing valve or related hardware. The closest to a full kit is classic and ccp. The ccp stuff is pretty good I have it on my 442

 

[cudamark]

Tk you. Appears replacing with B body spindles, ball joints and A arms may get me there better. Some of the kits substitute that in I see. Thank you

You can't use B-body spindles on an A-body.

 

[AndyF]

You can't use B-body spindles on an A-body.

Not sure where you were going with that comment. B body knuckles are an easy swap for A body cars. Can be a bolt on or a collection of bolt on parts depending on the year.

 

[AndyF]

hi folks, am new to Mopar. All help really appreciated. bought 1 owner 70 valiant duster, slant 225 3 speed for hobby project with kid. anyone recommend a drop in front disc brake conversion kit, believe will need new master cyl and power booster (likely). is drum at all 4 corners. wheels are orig 175 x14. have looked at SSBC and Summit but unsure on best approach. thank you .

You need to make some decisions before we can answer your question. Do you want to stay with the tiny wheels? If so then your options are going to be limited for brakes. If you are willing to convert to big bolt pattern 15 inch wheels then you can put some real brakes on the car.

 

[cudamark]

Not sure where you were going with that comment. B body knuckles are an easy swap for A body cars. Can be a bolt on or a collection of bolt on parts depending on the year.

Sorry, I meant you couldn't use B-body control arms on an A-body. Spindles will work.

 

[RustyRatRod]

You can't use B-body spindles on an A-body.

The heck you caint.

 

[TechMavn]

The heck you caint.

further on this per rusty and andyf, Roadkill (Road & Track Channel) did a 440 drop in to a 70 duster and used CPP kit, completed in a few hours. so thats the definitive answer in my mind on the stock way to go . heres the link: go to 16:30

 

[KosmicKuda]

hi folks, am new to Mopar. All help really appreciated. bought 1 owner 70 valiant duster, slant 225 3 speed for hobby project with kid. anyone recommend a drop in front disc brake conversion kit, believe will need new master cyl and power booster (likely).

I know you want your kid to be safe so do NOT use the 9" knuckles (spindles)
Also, unless you have a physical disability, there is no need for power brakes on an A body.
With patience, you can piece together a Kelsey Hayes factory setup. Use a 73-75 A body power brake MC but run it manually.

 

[KosmicKuda]

I have SSBC on my '71 Dart GT. Very easy install. Option to run small bolt or large bolt pattern wheels. Be advised that, at least on my car, the 14" X 5 1/2" wide (& 4 1/2" wide) STEEL wheels do NOT clear. However, the 14" X 5 1/2" wide factory Rallye wheels fit fine.

View attachment 1715605243

I'm sitting on a complete SSBC conversion kit.
What is the interference point when using steel wheels?

 

[DartGTDan]

I'm sitting on a complete SSBC conversion kit.
What is the interference point when using steel wheels?

If I remember correctly, the rims were hitting the calipers as the lug nuts were tightened down. Some people suggested I could grind the calipers a bit for the needed clearance, or to use spacers to push the wheels outboard a little further.

I chose to keep my 14" X 5 1/2" sbp Rallyes up front. I then bought a pair of used WheelVintiques 15" X 7" sbp Rallyes (from FABO member 72Dart6pack) to be used out back.