Front drum brake questions...rambling....variou thoughts.....

[shadango]

I'm going to be running the stock rear drums for now......the larger Mopar rotors on teeh front.

You think this will still be OK for a driver? 

[dodj]

I'm going to be running the stock rear drums for now......the larger Mopar rotors on teeh front.

You think this will still be OK for a driver?

Thats what I have and am happy with it.

[shadango]

Well...cool! That makes it easy!

Do you have a different prop valve too, and if so, which one?

[dodj]

Stock prop valve, but a wilwood adjuster for the rear brakes. About $40.

[shadango]

Thanks!  Looks like I can use your setup as a template for mine.   

I guess to install the prop valve I need to get a double flare tool and fittings...assume you put it inline under the hood right before the line goes into the MC?

Do you still use the stock distribution block (or whatever it is called) that came with your front drums?

Did you run into any real issues when putting your deal together?

[Chryco Psycho]

I install the adjustable prop valve After the factory porp / dist block under the car on the frame rail , this keeps the dash warning light from coming on

[dodj]

I install the adjustable prop valve After the factory porp / dist block under the car on the frame rail , this keeps the dash warning light from coming on

That is how I installed mine. 
As far as the front brakes, mine came originally with discs, so the prop valve had two outlets for the front brakes. I'm guessing from your question about a 'distribution block', that front drum brake cars have a different prop valve with only a single outlet for the front brakes? I might have another prop valve around here somewhere if you can't find one locally.

[Chryco Psycho]

all factory prop valves have 2 outlets for the front lines that I have seen
 Worst case a dip;omat / 5th ave will have a workable prop valve

[dodj]

What does your prop valve look like shadango? I've never seen a front drum brake ebody around here. (There are only 3 or 4  Challengers and a couple cudas around here I think, or they are well hidden). Are there two or three lines going out to the brakes?

[shadango]

I dont know if its a prop. valve or just a dist. block....I think its the latter?

I will have to snap a picture and post.......have to look again....pretty sure there are 5 fittings (plus a "switch" for the brake light).....one from the front of the MC, one from the back....then two that lead to each of the drums in teh front and one that leads to the rear line...then in back there is another small block that splits it there to the two rear drums...

...at least that is how I remember it.

Have been one tracked mind lately (tranny) so will have to go look and refresh myself...LOL

[dodj]

It sounds exactly the same as mine. Disc brake swap should work great. The wilwood adjust is just for fine tuning the amount of rear brake bias. I found once I put in a 440 (replaced a 318), the rears would lock up too soon, so I put in the adjuster to reduce the rear braking force. You might find it unnecessary with a small block.

[quapman]

I dont know if its a prop. valve or just a dist. block....I think its the latter?

I believe it's both on the 73-up cars.

[shadango]

It sounds exactly the same as mine. Disc brake swap should work great. The wilwood adjust is just for fine tuning the amount of rear brake bias. I found once I put in a 440 (replaced a 318), the rears would lock up too soon, so I put in the adjuster to reduce the rear braking force. You might find it unnecessary with a small block.

Hey Dodj..

I am reviving this ancient thread as frame of reference....

Here is a pic of the "block" under my hood:



I am FINALLY getting to the point of the master cylinder and prop valve stuff...

I bought the aluminum 2 bolt conversion kit from Dr Diff for my car so now I have to figure out what else I need.  Went with 80 NYer calipers (sliders) and 11.75 rotors....

With the block above, can I just install the wilwood adjustable prop valve or do I need another block?  Is the wilwood OK for use on cars that will actually be driven a lot? How does the adjusting knob stay put? If it is mounted under the car as some have suggested, any issues due to that location?

[dodj]

Yours is different than mine but it is functionally the same. Two in from the M/C, two out to the front brakes and one out to the rear brakes. For my installation, I just removed the rear brake line from the prop valve and attached it to the 'out' on the Wilwood and bought a 12" piece of brake line and routed it from the prop valve to the 'in' port on the Wilwood adjuster. The Wilwood adjuster has a hole in it for mounting. I would mount it to that tab sticking out from your prop valve. It's nice to have it easily accessible because at first you are going to adjust it for a while until you find the right balance.
I moved mine from the frame location to up with the prop valve for accessibility. As far as being ok for a car that is driven a lot, I haven't had any problems. It's been in there for five years so far. 
I've been following your threads, you're getting a lot of front end work accomplished!  

[shadango]

So your's is under the hood.....any issue with the brake light coming on as was suggested elsewhere?

I think I would rather have it under the hood for ease of access like you said...

Any chance you have a picture of how yours is setup? Curious as to how the tubing would run....its kind of congested around that block in my car....

Yeah, I have gotten a little done...LOL....its been an obsession for the last few months.