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I'm back working on my 1955 DeSoto Firedome. I bought it back in 1995 at the ripe age of 15 and at the time, was the youngest car owning member of the National DeSoto Club. 22 years later, I still have the car and love it.
I'm now going through it, as it sat for a few years, and need to update the brakes. I'm going to replace all of the wheel cylinders and master, but have been contemplating putting on a front disc conversion from AAJ. Has anyone had an experience with the kit? Is it really just a bold on with no modifications?
Thanks,
Kris
Kris,
I'm the '55 Model Year Coordinator but have no experience or feedback on the disc brake conversion kit you describe. I like to live dangerously and still run the single master drum brakes on my '55.
Mark
Thanks Mark, after digging in more, I'm going to stick with my drums for now. However, after losing my breaks a number of years back I am looking at outing on a dual bowl master cylinder. Do you know what master other's have used?
Off hand, no, I do not know what dual master is a good fit. Articles or posts I recall reading used a mid-'70's Dodge (model unknown) dual master that was a good fit.
Remember to ensure your hand brake is in proper adjustment. The drum type hand brake on the '55 can and will stop your car if at moderate speed. I speak from experience.
Mark
I think there are 2 any versions, one for original rims and one for larger wheels.
I elected to retain the original wheels. This kit required extensive grinding on the part where the kingpin is. I only did the front. Works fine. In retrospect I should have gone with the kit for the larger wheel.
