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1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade
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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-14 4:14 PM (#497946)
Subject: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

May as well jump right in and show what I have going on with a 1957 Coronet. The car was or should say is a basket
case when I hauled it home.
She has had some restoration work done to her but no where close to being a functional vehicle.
The Coronet was painted the wrong color so that will be changed or is the plan but first off I need to get some functioning brakes.
This kit came from Summit brand is SSBC ssbrakes.com looks to be a complete conversion. First is to replace ball joints, control arm
bushings, shocks and what ever else we need.
I spent the last few days taking the front end apart and most of this morning getting the rusted stuck torsion bars loose and out
to get to the lower control arms.
I will also be replacing the steering gear with an OEM power unit from my parts car. I drove theparts car briefly and the power unit
seems to be ok. Will see I guess I know nothing about this type power unit. I have built many 60's and new Mopars but these
older ones are different but I do see how they evolved to the b-bodys I am used to Those are small upper control arm bushings?

 



Edited by WillieG 2015-12-14 4:35 PM
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ttotired
Posted 2015-12-14 5:17 PM (#497952 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Cool, I'll be watching

Did you get new spindles with it or are they you originals?

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-14 7:04 PM (#497965 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon
they are the originals
got the other torsion bar loose, now that I know how to do it the 2nd was much easier.
I clamped my tool on the bar and used a friction jack and pushed it to the rear and carefully knocked the rear adj. bracket forward on the T bar. trying to pound it out the way as I have done later B bodies was like hitting rubber it had nothing to hold it.. made some good progress and got the word to tare down the engine and freshen it up. Good deal!
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ttotired
Posted 2015-12-14 7:07 PM (#497967 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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How rude of me

Forgot to say welcome


WELCOME

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-14 7:22 PM (#497972 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
25
Location: Central Oregon
Thanks
Australia! I shipped some 331 Hemi part there a few years ago.
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ttotired
Posted 2015-12-14 7:52 PM (#497978 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Hmmm

I didnt get them, would you like to re send them?

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-15 9:50 AM (#498036 - in reply to #497978)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

 

The master new cylinder bolts up to the original mounting holes perfectly. The brakes lines are supplied along with the proportioning valve and a plug to block off the port from the distribution to the rear wheels.

1957 Dodge Coronet

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57chizler
Posted 2015-12-15 1:27 PM (#498070 - in reply to #498036)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Normally, I'm not a big fan of green but it looks good on that car.
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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-17 3:26 PM (#498270 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

We are planning on changing the color, the green just doesn't fit this car. Heather Green is the original color but the owner didn't like it so went with what is on the car now. after we got the car from where the Resto started many many many years ago the owner told me first off we have to do somethng with the color. I was very glad to here that.

It is nice to get back to the brake suspension work. I had to hammer the old bushing sleaves out of the control arms after pressing the rubber parts out I then cleaned up the inner of the lower with a brake cyl. hone. I found an 8.00$ tool at the parts store which works great for the ball joints. after cleaning and never seize things are going back together.

 

 

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-18 9:51 AM (#498354 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
25
Location: Central Oregon

Now that I have the ball joints and control arm bushings installed it is time to install the disc brakes

I am very pleased how the brake upgrade is fitting up and the 14 inch rims fit as they advertised.

next will be to replace the steel brake lines to the wheels and rear end and mount the supplied proprotioning valve.

I am planning on welding a tab to the inside of the frame and mounting to that but will wait until I get the power steering unit installed.

I am not looking forward to removing the steering unit from the parts car, I will be doing that outside and it is cold and wet here.

 

 

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-21 10:03 AM (#498620 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

I replace all of the front brake lines and reused the original line shields where used. The lines were very rusty under the shields and needed replaced no question about it. after adding fluid to the master cyl. the brakes I opened the fron bleeder niples a 1/4 turn and went and got a cup of coffee. When I came back to the car the front calipers were dripping fluid so shut the nipples. pressed the peddle to find the Coronet now has brakes. Very nice this system was a great deal IMO. Now to take the rear drums off and see what is going on back there.

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mikes2nd
Posted 2015-12-21 11:31 AM (#498632 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade


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no booster? those are real brakes, not a single piston kit.
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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-21 2:35 PM (#498656 - in reply to #498632)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
25
Location: Central Oregon
no booster...yet
we will see how she stops without a booster.
yes four piston calipers
I spent this morning getting to the power steering unit I am removing from the parts car.
I see there is an access panel on the floor and around the column which allows the steering gear to come out the top.
Nice.
The 57 I am restoring had floor replaced and the access was not done. Yet. pretty sure I will cut the new floor and build an access to install the unit.
unless I can wrestle it in from the bottom.
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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-22 10:59 AM (#498733 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: power Steering upgrade



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Posts: 36
25
Location: Central Oregon

The parts car had power steering so we decided to install the unit in the Coronet.

After removing the inner fender and the access panel it was pretty easy to get the unit out through the top. The colum comes off after the wheel is removed like the manual.
 The power unit is aluminum so wasn't as heavy as I was expecting. The manual box bolts directly to the frame while the power unit uses a special washer on both sides of the box and a big shim on the rear bolt to allow for adjustment, I'd guess to allow the steering wheel to be aligned? not sure about that. this is a unique mounting system for sure. The wheels look identical with the execption of the signal cancel tab on the wheel.

 

 

 

 

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ttotired
Posted 2015-12-22 4:13 PM (#498783 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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You should also note the horn contact ring on the power steering wheel, manual horn wire goes up the centre of the actual steering tube, the power steering horn wire follows the flasher switch wiring, so you are going to have to get the horn wire from the engine bay and bring it inside the cab to connect under the dash

This also means there is a difference in the flasher switch that you need to be aware of, basically the horn contact

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5wndwcpe
Posted 2015-12-22 4:55 PM (#498789 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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I put the SSBC kit on my '57 Saratoga this summer and I like it as well.
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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-22 10:36 PM (#498819 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Steering wheel restoration



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

yes I haven't looked yet but am hoping the horn wire will be tucked under the dash?
good to hear you like the the brakes
I spent most of the afternoon stripping what seemed like house paint and getting the wheel ready for paint. need to fill a couple cracks with epoxy
I am going to the paint store tomorrow and get an interior color that will work trying to match the green met.

 

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-22 11:10 PM (#498820 - in reply to #498789)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

5wndwcpe - 2015-12-22 1:55 PM I put the SSBC kit on my '57 Saratoga this summer and I like it as well.

did you use a power booster?

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samdjr74
Posted 2015-12-23 7:38 PM (#498890 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade


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Great write up!
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ttotired
Posted 2015-12-23 8:36 PM (#498892 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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I think (but I am not a brake expert) that you will need a booster for the discs

Either that or a really strong leg?

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-24 10:31 AM (#498941 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

We will see how the car stops without a booster and can upgrade it if need be.

don't have a booster on my race car with 4 piston disc brakes and stops great at 125 mph in the 1/8.

 

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58coupe
Posted 2015-12-25 9:55 AM (#499023 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Something is very wrong with that car!! Too much weight in the trunk!
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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-25 11:19 AM (#499034 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon
or maybe 800 hp under the hood.
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Power Giant
Posted 2015-12-25 5:23 PM (#499073 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade


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Posts: 23

That Polara looks familiar, mine also has manual disc brakes.
The Fury I'm working on now will a small booster.
Steve



(Blackie.JPG)



(61 fury brakes.JPG)



Attachments
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Attachments Blackie.JPG (115KB - 216 downloads)
Attachments 61 fury brakes.JPG (128KB - 209 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2015-12-25 6:01 PM (#499081 - in reply to #499073)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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I don't like to use power brakes in general unless it is really necessary because if you have vacuum issues, you can lose all braking power and possibly lose control of the car (especially if a woman is driving). But, I really like the '50's power booster design because it really is just an assist. If it fails to work, you just have regular manual brakes with no other issues. There is really no downside to it except that it gets in the way of filling the master. I plan to convert all my '50's cars to power brakes! - with a remote brake reservoir.
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1960fury
Posted 2015-12-25 7:08 PM (#499091 - in reply to #498892)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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ttotired - 2015-12-23 8:36 PM

I think (but I am not a brake expert) that you will need a booster for the discs

Either that or a really strong leg?



i have manual 4 wheel disks (4 piston calipers) no problems whatsoever.



(0000wilwood1.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 0000wilwood1.jpg (28KB - 199 downloads)
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ttotired
Posted 2015-12-25 7:37 PM (#499094 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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There you go

Must be able to work then

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WillieG
Posted 2015-12-26 10:09 AM (#499135 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: RE: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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Posts: 36
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Location: Central Oregon

Nice looking 61

I also installed an Alterkation front end on the Dodge 440

the brace from the upper control arm to the frame on the Fury? is that something that was added? looks like a good idea.

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5wndwcpe
Posted 2015-12-29 10:28 AM (#499380 - in reply to #498820)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade



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WillieG - 2015-12-22 11:10 PM

5wndwcpe - 2015-12-22 1:55 PM I put the SSBC kit on my '57 Saratoga this summer and I like it as well.

did you use a power booster?



Nope, no booster here either.
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samdjr74
Posted 2017-04-18 1:47 PM (#538309 - in reply to #497946)
Subject: Re: 1957 Coronet Disc Brake upgrade


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So for all of those that used the SSBC kit and went with the manual MC, how are the brakes? Do you wish you upgraded to a power MC?
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