Valiant braking problem

[freeway]

I've got a VC with drums all round as daily driver and I'm having some trouble with the rear brakes locking up under heavy braking. I've been looking into doing a disc front conversion with dual circuit master cylinder but have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

First, if I went for solid disc, would they overheat rapidly?

Second, if I went vented apparently I'll need to change to later wheels or put spacers behind my originals. If I went later wheels, would my hub caps fit and would they look different, or if I put spaces on would the studs be long enough? Current studs are only just long enough.

Third, if I just change to a dual circuit master cyl would that fix my problem and save me work? I find the stopping power adequate even when towing.

Fourth, am I banging my head against a wall and Valiants just do this. I had discs on my VF Hardtop and don't remember this problem though.

And advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Andrew.

[kaybee]

Feb 8, 2013 9:50:15 GMT 10 freeway said:

I've got a VC with drums all round as daily driver and I'm having some trouble with the rear brakes locking up under heavy braking. I've been looking into doing a disc front conversion with dual circuit master cylinder but have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

First, if I went for solid disc, would they overheat rapidly?

Second, if I went vented apparently I'll need to change to later wheels or put spacers behind my originals. If I went later wheels, would my hub caps fit and would they look different, or if I put spaces on would the studs be long enough? Current studs are only just long enough.

Third, if I just change to a dual circuit master cyl would that fix my problem and save me work? I find the stopping power adequate even when towing.

Fourth, am I banging my head against a wall and Valiants just do this. I had discs on my VF Hardtop and don't remember this problem though.

And advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Andrew.

Hi Andrew , changing to dual circuit won't change anything , it just splits the hydraulic circuit into 2 separate systems for front and rear....the idea being that if you have a failure within the system you don't lose all your brakes in one go as you will with a single circuit , you just lose the faulty circuit and end up with a low pedal that will hopefully allow you to stop the car. To have the fault you describe in a stock factory setup is unusual, but could be due to someone using the wrong replacement size in wheel cylinders at some point, or even mismatched lining types between front and rear. It'll be far easier for a competent brake mechanic to sort out your existing system ( and far cheaper too ) ....but if you particularly want to change to a disc front drum rear arrangement , you'll need to do some research to figure out what parts you need to track down to give the best results. It'd be worth searching for Chrysler specific forum to get some accurate info and advice , I don't know enough about Valiants to help you except in a general sense.....but I can tell you that wheel spacers and stud adapters are illegal , so don't go that way. Good luck,Colin.

[Deleted]

VF or VG Valiant solid disks will bolt up to your stub axles (VF or VG).I would suggest using a brake booster.

Latter vented disks will give you different stud pattern (front will be different than the rear)

Id suggest that perhaps your rear drums are screwed up too much, back them off a few turns.

We have VG disks on our VC wagon and they work exceptional well.(with a remote booster)

[freeway]

Thanks for the replies, looks like if I do go disc they'll be solid then!

And you've got to be right Collin, something must've been put together wrong. Full system rebuild I think!

[westozal]

Hi,

Just out of interest I still have an orginal sales booklet for the VF Valiant hardtop.
My father brought one new in April 1970 with the 160hp blue 225 slant 6.
White with black vinal roof....price was $3490. Great car.

cheers AL

[michel143]

Hi friend ...!
Over heating is not a big problem so don't worry about it . I think you should put the space rather then change , and the circut change definitely save your work.