Hot Rod Forum banner

1949 Chevy Coupe Brake Hardware

4K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  brian720 
#1 ·
I am in need of brake hardware for my 1949 Chevey coupe. I can not find any in the auto stores in my home town. (Fresno, Ca.) Can someone tell me where I can find some.
 
#3 ·
Best idea is to get the brake parts from a '51-'54 Chevy.. The Huck brake parts are hard to come by and expensive when you find them. 51 Chevy went to Bendix brakes. You only need the backing plates and the front hubs might be different. Everything else is available from the parts store. You can even get self adjuster parts if you wanted
 
#5 ·
You can keep the front end the same. There is no real need in changing it. The disc brake kit to use common parts for it will cost less than a donor suspension, or a Mustang II if you went that route. Trim the firewall tabs and relocate the E brake handle, or mod it to be cable operated. SBC V8 will fit right in with some swap mounts. 2nd Gen Camaro rear fits almost perfect.
 
#6 ·
NAPA carries the wheel cylinders, front and rear. Just have to have a counter person who is willing to take the time to look up the numbers. Have had decent luck with them though. Am happy with new shoes got from NAPA also. SBC (any size 265 to 400) drops in nicely, but you have to use the 350/400 exhaust mainfolds (rear dump) to avoid interference with steering box. Original rear leaf springs don't last long behind a V8. Need some torsion bars to prevent over-flexing the springs. Brake parts/backing plates and misc. hardware available for 49-54 all over the web. Front end parts (control arm shafts/bushing, king pins) from Nat'l Chevy Assn.. they have on-line catalog, but will send you hard-copy catalog if you ask (651) 778-9522. Hope this helps. Am running 51 coupe w/327-350TH built back in 1993/94. Made motor mounts for SBC 400, but when one broke, replaced both with set from Chassis Engineering Inc. Nice. Replace fan clutch with spacer to just clear alternator and don't even have to move the radiator. As matt167 say: Hand brake lever has to go and the seams (ribs) in firewall have to be cut out for cylinder heads to clear, but you wont miss them at all and after while you won't even remember they were there. I been driving the '51 for 20 years and have put thousands of miles on it. Am still able to get parts, but sometimes have to wait for delivery from somebodies wharehouse, and have to make double sure am getting right parts. : )
 
#9 ·
OK,
You have probably found substitute parts, but I have backer plates and all if you don't do a disc conversion. The disc conversion will require changing the master cylinder. Make sure you get a dual chamber which is specific fir front disc, or it may blow out on you. Consider making your own dual cylinder from commercially available parts. The kits tend to be way overpriced and not all that functional.

Good luck,
Brian
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top