Brakes: Upgrading Studebaker disc brakes on the cheap?

[Hawklover]

I realize many here have gone the route of Jim Turners brakes that previously had Studebaker drums.
But for those with factory discs consider this: If one wants to improve their brakes the I suggest converting to the Toyota Crown front wheel cylinders...they are 2 1/4 instead of 2 1/8. This gives you about 15-20% better braking. But!!!....if you do this you have to do something to the rear as to not upset the brake balance. You have to change the rear cylinders to the 6E7 pick up truck wheel cylinders that are 7/8 inch instead of the 3/4 inch which Stude disk brake cars have. This should make the car stop a lot easier without all the problems of conversions, and a lot cheaper.
The parts needed are as follows:
(4)-47730-30011 Sumitomo-Dunlop Wheel Cylinders.
(1) Right hand bridge-tube Toyota part number 47331-20010
(1) Left hand bridge-tube Toyota part number 47333-20010
Pads: Mintex M59 Jag E, Mk 10, or Rover 2000.

Good luck if you go this route, for me it made a difference.

[PackardV8]

Agree, that's good advice and a worthwhile upgrade.

Today, the #1 problem with front disc/rear drum is getting the correct lining on the rear shoes to match the Mintex or whatever front pads. I've had some shoes which worked fine with the original 3/4" wheel cylinders. There were others too hard or too soft for the 7/8" wheel cylinders. Since it's necessary to buy mismatched aftermarket parts today, it's a crapshoot to get them to play nicely together. Sometimes, it's easier and less expensive to experiment with different front pads.

jack vines

[StudeRich]

That sounds like a good tip to improve the Factory Disc Brake setup on '63 to '66's rather than spend a Lot to replace all.

Just for kicks since I just happened to be looking up some Trucks Parts, I had all 3 Truck Parts Catalogs open on my PC Desktop here.

I found ALL applications of these 7/8" Rear Wheel Cylinders.
Saying 6E was probably a good choice since they stop there, just before the Star Wheel Adjusted Brakes began use on Trucks.

So that is: Qty. 2, of 684608 7/8" Rear Wh. Cyl. fits: E to 2E-1,2,3,5,6,7 ('55-'56) and 3E to 6E-5,6,7 ('57-'61) 1/2 Ton Trucks.

[64studeavanti]

I realize many here have gone the route of Jim Turners brakes that previously had Studebaker drums.
But for those with factory discs consider this: If one wants to improve their brakes the I suggest converting to the Toyota Crown front wheel cylinders...they are 2 1/4 instead of 2 1/8. This gives you about 15-20% better braking. But!!!....if you do this you have to do something to the rear as to not upset the brake balance. You have to change the rear cylinders to the 6E7 pick up truck wheel cylinders that are 7/8 inch instead of the 3/4 inch which Stude disk brake cars have. This should make the car stop a lot easier without all the problems of conversions, and a lot cheaper.
The parts needed are as follows:
(4)-47730-30011 Sumitomo-Dunlop Wheel Cylinders.
(1) Right hand bridge-tube Toyota part number 47331-20010
(1) Left hand bridge-tube Toyota part number 47333-20010
Pads: Mintex M59 Jag E, Mk 10, or Rover 2000.

Good luck if you go this route, for me it made a difference.

How much do you save by going this route? I recently bought 4 new Sumitomo 2 1/8" calipers, new crossover lines and pads. IIRC, I spent around $450 with freight. If you need new disks, add an additional $400 plus.

For a driver, the Turner kit may be a better value.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

How much do you save by going this route? I recently bought 4 new Sumitomo 2 1/8" calipers, new crossover lines and pads. IIRC, I spent around $450 with freight. If you need new disks, add an additional $400 plus.

For a driver, the Turner kit may be a better value.

Do the Sumitomo cylinders come in both 2-1/8" and 2-1/4"? The reason I ask is that my 64 Avanti came to me with Sumitomo cylinders and I would like to know which I have.
-Dwight.

[64studeavanti]

Do the Sumitomo cylinders come in both 2-1/8" and 2-1/4"? The reason I ask is that my 64 Avanti came to me with Sumitomo cylinders and I would like to know which I have.
-Dwight.[/QUOTE]

Sumitomo calipers are in both sizes. The size should be cast into the caliper.

[Buzzard]

For years I have used these units from Hye-Dra-Cyl LLC: http://www.hyedracyl.com/studabkr.html
I use Ferodo pads.
PARTS AVAILABLE FOR STUDEBAKER:

Model Number	HDC Part Number	Piston Size	Cost
Avanti, Avanti II	8777-14	2 1/4"	$249*
8777-18	2 1/8"	$239*

Avantis featuring Dunlop Disc Brakes up front (using 2 1/8" pistons) may buy our oversized units (italics) increasing the piston size to 2 1/4". This upgrade will allow the user to realize approximately 10-15% greater force on the brake rotor, decreasing the required brake pedal pressure during braking, and potentially shortening stopping distances.

Miscellaneous Stainless Steel Parts:
HDC Part #	Studabaker Part #	Item Description	Cost
3824BV		Bleeder Valve	$7.50*
316BPL		Left Side Bridge Pipe	$19.50*
316BPR		Right Side Bridge Pipe	$19.50*

[64studeavanti]

The web site is not clear as to pricing. Is the price each, per pair or for all 4?

If for all four, this is a great price. I paid $80 each from parts geek for the 2 1/8" sumitomos.

[64studeavanti]

Digging a little further into their web site, it looks like this price is for 1 caliper. It is stainless, but sure is a bit pricey.

[Hawklover]

Agree, that's good advice and a worthwhile upgrade.

Today, the #1 problem with front disc/rear drum is getting the correct lining on the rear shoes to match the Mintex or whatever front pads. I've had some shoes which worked fine with the original 3/4" wheel cylinders. There were others too hard or too soft for the 7/8" wheel cylinders. Since it's necessary to buy mismatched aftermarket parts today, it's a crapshoot to get them to play nicely together. Sometimes, it's easier and less expensive to experiment with different front pads.

jack vines

Jack or just say the hell with it and keep the brakes the car rolled off the assy line with!

[Hawklover]

How much do you save by going this route? I recently bought 4 new Sumitomo 2 1/8" calipers, new crossover lines and pads. IIRC, I spent around $450 with freight. If you need new disks, add an additional $400 plus.

For a driver, the Turner kit may be a better value.

Well candidly if I had to do over again I would not..............why?...........the car sits in the garage 9 months out of 12...............and in my old age I drive the car like an old lady.

[Hawklover]

That sounds like a good tip to improve the Factory Disc Brake setup on '63 to '66's rather than spend a Lot to replace all.

Just for kicks since I just happened to be looking up some Trucks Parts, I had all 3 Truck Parts Catalogs open on my PC Desktop here.

I found ALL applications of these 7/8" Rear Wheel Cylinders.
Saying 6E was probably a good choice since they stop there, just before the Star Wheel Adjusted Brakes began use on Trucks.

So that is: Qty. 2, of 684608 7/8" Rear Wh. Cyl. fits: E to 2E-1,2,3,5,6,7 ('55-'56) and 3E to 6E-5,6,7 ('57-'61) 1/2 Ton Trucks.

Thanks Rich!

[Hawklover]

Do the Sumitomo cylinders come in both 2-1/8" and 2-1/4"? The reason I ask is that my 64 Avanti came to me with Sumitomo cylinders and I would like to know which I have.
-Dwight.

Dwight..........look at the casting, it will say what it is. But I doubt they are 2-1/8...because all Crowns came with 2-1/4

[Hawklover]

Digging a little further into their web site, it looks like this price is for 1 caliper. It is stainless, but sure is a bit pricey.

pricey you bet.......this is not a cheap upgrade.......