Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

Has anyone done this type of conversion? My understanding is that the 1939 Super Eight shares the chassis and body with the 120. Is the front end the same, and will conversion kits intended for use with the 120 work for the Super Eight?

I'm not sure about the conversion or how to do it, but I do know that if you do not match your new disc brakes with better tires (radials), your stopping ability will not get better. The original Packard brakes are more than adequate in locking up the wheels.

I put the disc conversion on my 39 jr' coupe along with a remote power booster and now my brakes work just like a modern car. I don't have to bend the steering wheel when trying to make a "high speed" stop. As for working on a 39 super 8 your best bet is to call Kanter

I was going to reply earlier and offer armchair experience, hoping that Phil would chime in, as he is the only actual user I know of having installed the Kanter kit. Phil, please, add more detail, if you posted elsewhere, I must have missed it.

I will add that several other folks I know have also upgraded, for safety reasons from the original single master cylinder to a dual master, and a vacuum booster. Every responsible Packard driver should make this safety upgrade, show cars aside. This can be done very discreetly, installing the booster kind of under the floor in front of the battery box, and painting the master cylinder black; no one will notice except the now infamous purists.

I will also agree with West that the original drum brakes, especially with a booster, are very adequate for the car, more so in fact on the 39 Super 8, which has, if I recall correctly, 12x2" brakes versus 12 x 11 3/4 on the 120's. Not much more, likely due to the increased weight of the 320 engine, but enough to point out for the record...and if Boosquat does indeed pull the drum setup, I am confident there is a buyer waiting to upgrade to the wider front brakes.
Me for one...send'em my way- I'll buy the backing plates, brakes and drums.

DAF

DAF:

I promise that if and when I decide to update the brakes on the Packard Super Eight, you will have first option on the drums, backing plates, etc.

Boosquat

DAF

As promised, I received the Kanter disc brake conversion kit for my 1939 Super Eight sedan.

I have the two front brake drums, backing plates, etc. for sale and you have the first option on them if you are still interested in using them to upgrade your 120 to 2 inch drums in the front.

Hugh

Appologies for going a bit off-topic.

Many folks have a misconception about mechanical brakes; granted those used on inexpensive cars like Fords were pretty primitive and it is a bit of a chore to get them equalized after a reline. But having driven lots of Packards in many different situations, IMO the very best brakes for stopping power are the Bendix mechanicals used 1936 and back to 1932. These all have vacuum boost and in 33/34, driver-adjustable (from the dashboard) vacuum boost in 4 increments. Drums are 14" with individual lining lengths of 30-1/4 per wheel on the Eights and Super Eights, 32-1/4 per wheel on the Twelves. Just phenomenal stopping power, even with some vehicle weights approaching 6000 lbs.