C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

[Ed P.]

I am thinking of converting to disk brakes all around.
Gona use it as a driver.
What is a good brand.
Is it hard to install.

please help
tank you

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

First question is why? Unless you are planning to do autocross or road racing there is no need for disk brakes! You are not stopping a 6000 pound land yacht. A properly functioning brake system will stop your Corvette just fine. I find most guys who want disk brakes have not taken the time to make sure their brake system is working as it should. Given the cost of a disc brake conversion, sometimes you have to change rims, run new brake lines up front for the dual master cylinder and proportioning valve and play around with getting proper front to back stopping, it just doesn't seem worth it to me! Just my old two cents

[Ed P.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

First question is why? Unless you are planning to do autocross or road racing there is no need for disk brakes! You are not stopping a 6000 pound land yacht. A properly functioning brake system will stop your Corvette just fine. I find most guys who want disk brakes have not taken the time to make sure their brake system is working as it should. Given the cost of a disc brake conversion, sometimes you have to change rims, run new brake lines up front for the dual master cylinder and proportioning valve and play around with getting proper front to back stopping, it just doesn't seem worth it to me! Just my old two cents

thank you terry

[Frank D.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

I have a disc brake conversion on my '61 (front only and done by a previous owner) and stock drums on my '63...
I don't feel unsafe or that I can't stop quickly when required in either car...both cars have single master cylinders...

[Leif A.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

I have a disc brake conversion on my '61 (front only and done by a previous owner) and stock drums on my '63...
I don't feel unsafe or that I can't stop quickly when required in either car...both cars have single master cylinders...

Frankie,
Don't you mean "had"? I thought the '61 went swimming over to Europe.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

First question is why? Unless you are planning to do autocross or road racing there is no need for disk brakes! You are not stopping a 6000 pound land yacht. A properly functioning brake system will stop your Corvette just fine. I find most guys who want disk brakes have not taken the time to make sure their brake system is working as it should. Given the cost of a disc brake conversion, sometimes you have to change rims, run new brake lines up front for the dual master cylinder and proportioning valve and play around with getting proper front to back stopping, it just doesn't seem worth it to me! Just my old two cents

Terry and Ed------


I totally agree. While I love disc brakes, if I had a C1 I would not even consider converting to disc brakes. No way. Period. Very little would be gained and a lot would be lost.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

Terry and Ed------


I totally agree. While I love disc brakes, if I had a C1 I would not even consider converting to disc brakes. No way. Period. Very little would be gained and a lot would be lost.

If Ed were to go and access the original discussion board he'd be able to read the posts from the late, great Dale Pearman. Dale often gave reasons as to why the conversion shouldn't be done, and as I recall a lot of his reasons involved the change in front bearings (ball to roller, I believe). Check out the Archive Board, Ed, and see what you can find.

[David R.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

I actually considered doing a full disk brake conversion on my '62. I drive it occasionally and show it about six or seven times a year, and on my way home from my last show a nitwit in a jacked-up pickup truck cut me off at about 50 mph - I had to really nail the bone-stock (but well maintained) brakes, and I was entirely satisfied with how quickly and straight the car stopped. I wouldn't do the disk brakes . . . In my opinion, it's just not worth it for what little you would gain. Spend a little going through your stock system and making it as perfect as you can, and you'll be fine.

[Ed P.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

I actually considered doing a full disk brake conversion on my '62. I drive it occasionally and show it about six or seven times a year, and on my way home from my last show a nitwit in a jacked-up pickup truck cut me off at about 50 mph - I had to really nail the bone-stock (but well maintained) brakes, and I was entirely satisfied with how quickly and straight the car stopped. I wouldn't do the disk brakes . . . In my opinion, it's just not worth it for what little you would gain. Spend a little going through your stock system and making it as perfect as you can, and you'll be fine.

Thank you all
I decided not to install the disk brakes

[Frank D.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

Frankie,
Don't you mean "had"? I thought the '61 went swimming over to Europe.

Not to hijack but yes the '61 is sold and maybe stateside and only an hour north of me - a long, funny story for another thread...

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

Ed
Now you can use the money you saved to install a 5-speed and really enjoy that driver!

[Eric E.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

Ed, I went through the same mental expercise on my 62 this last spring and finally decided the same thing when I remembered that my old 55 BelAir was drum and never had a problem..

[Dan A.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

If Ed were to go and access the original discussion board he'd be able to read the posts from the late, great Dale Pearman. Dale often gave reasons as to why the conversion shouldn't be done, and as I recall a lot of his reasons involved the change in front bearings (ball to roller, I believe). Check out the Archive Board, Ed, and see what you can find.

If memory serves which is risky. Dale said the bearings used to convert solid axle cars to front disc brakes were from the Ford Pinto. That those bearings were not designed to carry the load of a V8 engine?

[Joe R.]

Re: C1 1962 pros and cons of converting to disk brakes

To answer your question directly.

Pro's Your car will stop better!

Con's You will decrease the value of your Corvette upon resale!

JR