I agree with predfan I plan on using the disks from a '77 Versailles that I already have, but honestly my drums work great. Very surprised at how well they actually work. If you already have the parts or money then go for it. If not, you can always do it later on down the road.
There are definately advantages to disc brakes, but if you compare apples to apples, they don't necesarily make the car stop any quicker. Drum brakes are self-energizing and require less pedal effort. Drum brakes, when properly sized for the application and adjusted correctly, will stop the car just as well, with less effort than discs. Discs are usually lighter, cheaper, and easier to service. They are also less prone to fade, but unless you do alot of mountain driving, that probably won't be an issue.
Think what's important here, is a comparison of the drum brakes he's thinking of replacing and the disk brakes he's thinking of installing. Just my opinion. I gotta say that the 11" disks I got from a donor Maverick are a lot more effective than the pretty new drum brakes they replaced. The car stops straighter and with less pedal pressure.
But the actual question is this: "What do you think would be wiser? I can adapt to drums I'm sure....but in terms of longevity/maintenance, just trying to weigh it out." It's a 6 cylinder car. It could cost at least $600+ to do the disc and rear end swap just in parts and the op has already stated he hesitation on doing brake work. My answer....fix what you already have and adapt.
I don't think it matters how many cylinders the car has, if u drive it at highway speeds u need the best brakes u can get. If u stay at 45mph or less than the drum brakes might be ok. IMO, the ability to stop takes priority over ever thing but steering - they rank abt the same. As far as the comparison to what or how things were done decades ago, nobody wants to give up the remote for their TV; give up their cell phones, ipods; go bk to black and white tv - and so on. I surely do not. If u can't afford the upgrade - then u have to adapt. If u can - Go for it -make it a one time thing......
I'll clarify that my overall goal is not for this ride to reach show or competiton level prestige. This is essentially my first solo project vehicle, so I'm granting myself more room for wiggle. Logically, no matter how fervid my desire to trick it out and create a sleek, sexy car with a hefty dose of badass - finances are key. I'll never have the $15,000 available to make it a full, perfect restoration. That said, there's no remorse in that reality. My goals are pretty simple. I want a 'healthy', smooth running engine and transmission. Repair the body as needed, replace damaged/missing parts as needed...plus some fun upgrades here and there. Eventually, a simple but modern paint job (solid high gloss black everywhere....bumpers, all trim, everything). I intend for this to be driven regularly, unless for some reason I buy a newer economy car to buzz around in. I live and work in a small, non-metro city and outside of spontaneous trips to the middle of BFE for photography, or to drink beer at the top of a mountain, my driving stays within relatively small area. I did take apart the drum on one front wheel today, and the shoes are worn down so badly, the rivets are visible. That could explain a great deal about my soggy smoosh issue! *sigh* For the time being, I'm going to manage the drums as they are, but definitely plan on conversion in the future. Tough to reign in my wild fantasies about this car, and remind myself to PRIORITIZE, necessity vs. option.
Oh, and someone asked about my plans for the engine? For now, keeping the cutesy straight six (baring some cataclysmic mechanical failure). No doubt I occasionally salivate over throwing a bigger, wilder engine into it to feel it fly - but it's not on the top of the rebuild totem pole just yet.
Main advantage to discs is less prone to fade after repeated hard stops {so if you aren't auto-crossing or racing, not really necessary} and better in the wet {running through puddles}.....If these aren't a concern, stick with the drums......
As far as rear disk brakes, you can use a weld on kit out of any dirt track catalog, (jrmotorsports has them, so does speedway) It contains a weld on caliper brackets, GM metric calipers, and top hat rotors. They are the same universal kit for 9 and 8 inch rearends. Just need to tell them your lug pattern when ordering. The complete kit is around 200.00
spongey brakes are caused by air in the system. Even dick brakes will be spongey with air in the lines. Have the brakes bled to get rid of the air after you replace the worn shoes. This will at least make it safe to drive until you decide to install disc brakes. There is no doubt that disc brakes are better but these cars have survived for 40 years with drum brakes so disc brakes are not realy a safety issue if you drive only on the street. My two 73s have drum brakes and they have been fine in the Seattle area and out on the highway. Do they work as well as a modern car with disk brakes? NO! but they are good enough to keep me from running into cars and other objects on the street.
Yep. You will find front discs on some of the smaller class 3-7 trucks, but until recently, all class 8 trucks { think semi} have had drums. Discs are now optional on most class 8's for the front, and some are offering them for the drive axles as well. European truck makers have used discs for years, but here in the US, the costs have been too much for most buyers. Due to more stringent stopping distance regulations that take effect in 2012 model year trucks, more of them will have to use discs to meet the regs. As for the Maverick, since you are in West TN, which is relatively flat compared to East TN, and you say you live in a small town instead of a large city like Memphis or Nashville, you should be OK with the drums. Just have to remember when you let it all hang out with that fast 6, that it will probably take a bit farther to come to a complete stop!
Drum brakes actually have more braking surface material than discs...Their main problem was dissipating heat....Lot of manufacturers were putting fins on the drums trying to help this
