Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

the only real difference for a sr. kit would be the bolt pattern for the lugs. same size rotor and caliper and bracket should work for the sr since they use a 15" rim too.

At this rate i'm seriously thinking about making kits myself!

What did they do with the spindle. I noticed some kind of spacer on yours. Believe the senior assy may be larger-- although I haven't measured. They are a different assy and also different bearings.

a disc brake rotor is not as deep as a brake drum. i believe the "spacer" seen on the spindal is more like a new seal surface, and also a bearing stop to keep the rotor from sliding to far back on the spindal. There are thousands of different bearings available on the market, so bearings should be the least of our worries in this process. the sr cars did use a bigger DRUM but the same size RIM. the bolt pattern is differnt from a jr car to a sr car. but BOTH use a 15" wheel. so any kit that fits behind a 15" jr rim should fit behind a 15" sr rim! the only difference in a kit would be the bolt patten on the rotor, and possibly the bearings.

As you all can now see most of the expense in off the wall applications is the machine work. We don't have the luxury of mass produced kits which brings prices down. About the spacers, the rear one moves rotor outward to align with caliper and for grease seal to ride on, the outer sleeve is for surface for outer bearing. The only knowledge I have on senior hubs is that the bearings, seal and hub diameter are larger than a junior and the bolt pattern is 5X5. Not sure of any spindle differences.

i'm going to check my parts book tonight. i think that the spindal it's self is the same. just the outter diameter of the bearings is different.

Quote: Bloody hell, I don't care if he'll sell them separately, I have a buddy with a plasma cutter....

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Now you're getting on the right track! I also plan on using the original hubs too....

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Only on the late '54s and the V8 cars. My '48 Packard Eight, both of the '53 Clippers I had, and my '37 115c all had the "Senior" bolt pattern, 5 on 5".

I think the two most critical parts are the caliper brackets and any spindle spacers/bearing sleeves needed to negate machining the spindle. If some enterprising person can put together a kit that includes those two main pieces, and then a hardware/parts shopping list, then I think we would have a winning combo.

I see 3 possible configurations (all based on spindle\bolt pattern differences)

55-56 Seniors
54-56 Clippers
51-53 All, and 54 Seniors

Not sure about differences in pervious years....

I would figure that the bracket may be the same for all 3 configurations. Really the difference would be the spindle spacers/bearing sleeves based on the spindle difference, and choosen rotors based on bolt pattern.

Let us assume that the custom made bracket for the conversion is 1/2 inch steel. Certainly it is NO thicker than that?????

Ok. That means that 1/2 inch is is anchoring the caliper to keep the caliper from turning. NOW LOOK at a FACTORY Ford or Chev front disk brake set up. The Caliper Stays (anchors) are part of the steering knuckel AND AT LEAST THREE inches wide. NOT 1/2 inch wide!!!!!

Does this not raise any concerns for anyone ????????

No, because you're comparing 1/2" steel with cast iron. I'm thinking that 3/8" would be plenty.