\'66 Disc brakes & proportioning blocks?

[peddro]

Hi guys,

Many-a-time-lurker asking a question for the first time...well, I think so! Can't remember ever posting here before....but anywho.....

Many moons ago I converted my LHD '66's front drums to the GT disc set-up. At the time I added VG Valiant booster and XB master cylinder, which went in so well it was like they were made for it.  I did the usual other things like new lines, etc. and that was it for the front....but I didn't touch the proportioning valve OR the rear wheel cylinders.

I've never really had a huge problem with the brakes (I drive my car every day) besides a little bit much rear bias....i.e. REALLY jumping on the brakes can cause rear lock-up. Not quite the best!

So...a few questions (not necessarily all inter-related!):

A. Did the disc-braked cars and drum braked cars have different proportioning blocks? I don't really want to fit an aftermarket proportioning valve if I can avoid it. "Factory" or repro would be more desirable.

B. Can I fit different sized rear-wheel cylinders to compenesate for the increased pressure required to activate the calipers? If, so...buggered if I can remember if you're supposed to go bigger or smaller...???

C. Were the brake pedals (no, not the pad!) different from drummed cars as opposed to disc?

D. When the hell am I likely to use a dancing pink elephant icon in a post?!!

Cheers,
Wayne.

[Brook]

Have just done almost same conversion,causing rear lock up
had 7/8 rear cylinders and went down to 3/4.were a little hard to find but got them.Had engineered today for rego and now brakes are spot on,hope this helps.Brooka.

[stormin]

G'day Wayne
We used different size rear cylinders to get correct bias. Must be the only receipt I never kept or could have told u what size.It was not a great difference to original.With the pedals I have 1 car with original kelseys and 1 that I changed to xf discs and cannot see any difference with the pedals.
Any Brake specialist should be able to tell you which way to go with the cyls.
stormin

[peddro]

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully this helps someone else a little too.

Phill, I've found a few repro distribution blocks available at NPD in the States, but I'll PM you when I get a little more time.

Cheers, Wayne.

[kiragus]

When I restored my 66 coupe, the RHD conversion meant replacing the master cylinder and fitting a booster to assist the Kelsey Hayes front discs. Both of these came from an XF Falcon (purchased new from spare parts supplier).
I needed to reduce the rear slave cylinders to 13/16''to apportion the pressure correctly and the engineer gave it a 100% pass when it was certified.
These were a readily available item and didn't cost much at all.

Kiragus
KWIK 67

[evan]

Kiragus,
Do you remember if the wheel cylinders were specific to any particular car?
Did you hook up the rear line directly to the master cylinder & fronts via the original distribution block?
My plan was to do this & fit an adjustable proportioning valve on the rear if necessary. If smaller wheel cylinders will do, I'd prefer that.

Evan.