Disk Brake Conversion rant - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70GMCer · 03-25-2008, 10:46 PM

Ok, so I started my disk conversion today. I got my 6 lug rotor/caliper kit from GMCPaul and was ready to go at it. My plan was to use the upper & lower control arms, spindles & tie rods from a 84 burb I parted last year. I didn't want to change the xmember, as I was going to replace the bushings & ball joints and had to take those parts off the xmember anyway. So I removed all of my drum suspension and went to trial fit the control arms and spindles to make sure everything would fit. NOT!! Be warned!! If you use the "World Famous" "Hedman Headers" for sbc for 67/72, the lower control arms from 73/87 WILL NOT FIT. Now, unless, you want to beat the living HELL out of the tubes on the drivers side, then they might fit. The 84 lower arms are 1" wider on either side than the 67/72 ones and the #3 HEDMAN tube is in the way.

Now many of you on here know how much I hate Hedmans for their fitting issues. They are with out a doubt, the worst headers built since Fred Flintstone had his made out of hollowed out dino bones. I have never had a set of headers fit as sh*ty as these. I should've checked the fit on these before I set them out to be coated. So, $400.00 later, I'm pissed. Now I have a set of Hooker Super Comps waiting to be installed. I didn't want to be getting into an exhaust swap at this time. So now I have to re-think this brake swap.

My thought is to stay with the stock control arms, even though I had to dent the HEAMAN tubes a little to clear. Change the ball joints unto the stock arms and use the 84 spindles.

Damn, this just starches my long johns!! So a word of advice on those who want to swap for later suspension, DON'T use HEDMANS.

One more thing. I don't want anyone coming on here adding, "Oh mine worked great". OK, then get your "A*s over here and do mine!!

Thanks for the rant......

Ole Blue 68 · 03-26-2008, 12:53 AM

May not be a Hedman issue. We had to "finesse" my Flowtech's into place for the same reason...The one good thing about buying cheap-o headers is I didn't mind banging the crap out of them.

70GMCer · 03-26-2008, 01:04 AM

No, believe me, it's the Hedmans

ed2552 · 03-26-2008, 01:06 AM

Mabye it's just the made in china stuff.........

70c10 · 03-26-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70GMCer

They are with out a doubt, the worst headers built since Fred Flintstone had his made out of hollowed out dino bones. I have never had a set of headers fit as sh*ty as these.

Not to sir the pot here Steve, but those hollowed out dino bones were prolly good for about an extra 10 horsepower and they growl like a T-rex! I'd check on ebay for a set

Sorry, couldn't resist

Chill out and have a beer!

brad_man_72 · 03-26-2008, 04:00 AM

i had to trim my 76 a-arms down to the bushing then beat the piss out of my flowtechs. this after i had to move the motor back to make the flowtechs "fit" in the first place, wich involved making an new driveshaft. i guess if it was easy everybody would have a custom truck

**VetteVet** · 03-26-2008, 05:16 AM

Here's a thread from the FAQS about the swap that might solve your dilema. Read posts 1 and seven .
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=35042

03-25-2008, 10:46 PM	#1
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Disk Brake Conversion rant Ok, so I started my disk conversion today. I got my 6 lug rotor/caliper kit from GMCPaul and was ready to go at it. My plan was to use the upper & lower control arms, spindles & tie rods from a 84 burb I parted last year. I didn't want to change the xmember, as I was going to replace the bushings & ball joints and had to take those parts off the xmember anyway. So I removed all of my drum suspension and went to trial fit the control arms and spindles to make sure everything would fit. NOT!! Be warned!! If you use the "World Famous" "Hedman Headers" for sbc for 67/72, the lower control arms from 73/87 WILL NOT FIT. Now, unless, you want to beat the living HELL out of the tubes on the drivers side, then they might fit. The 84 lower arms are 1" wider on either side than the 67/72 ones and the #3 HEDMAN tube is in the way. Now many of you on here know how much I hate Hedmans for their fitting issues. They are with out a doubt, the worst headers built since Fred Flintstone had his made out of hollowed out dino bones. I have never had a set of headers fit as shty as these. I should've checked the fit on these before I set them out to be coated. So, $400.00 later, I'm pissed. Now I have a set of Hooker Super Comps waiting to be installed. I didn't want to be getting into an exhaust swap at this time. So now I have to re-think this brake swap. My thought is to stay with the stock control arms, even though I had to dent the HEAMAN tubes a little to clear. Change the ball joints unto the stock arms and use the 84 spindles. Damn, this just starches my long johns!! So a word of advice on those who want to swap for later suspension, DON'T use HEDMANS. One more thing. I don't want anyone coming on here adding, "Oh mine worked great". OK, then get your "As over here and do mine!! Thanks for the rant...... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang Last edited by 70GMCer; 03-25-2008 at 10:53 PM.

03-26-2008, 12:53 AM	#2
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Disk Brake Conversion rant May not be a Hedman issue. We had to "finesse" my Flowtech's into place for the same reason...The one good thing about buying cheap-o headers is I didn't mind banging the crap out of them.

03-26-2008, 01:06 AM	#4
ed2552 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charles City IA Posts: 1,626	Re: Disk Brake Conversion rant Mabye it's just the made in china stuff......... __________________ '67 C20, Under the Knife!, LWB, Eaton HO-52, Rear Coil Springs 72' GMC C2500, 350, TH400(?), Dana 60 '67 K10 4-spd., 305, SM465, Dana 44, 12 Bolt, RUST! '65 C60 292, 4 spd, 2 spd Rearend, 15' Grain Box, MINT! 09 Yukon Denali 82k Miles 6.2L/6A

03-26-2008, 04:00 AM	#6
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Disk Brake Conversion rant i had to trim my 76 a-arms down to the bushing then beat the piss out of my flowtechs. this after i had to move the motor back to make the flowtechs "fit" in the first place, wich involved making an new driveshaft. i guess if it was easy everybody would have a custom truck __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

03-26-2008, 05:16 AM	#7
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: Disk Brake Conversion rant Here's a thread from the FAQS about the swap that might solve your dilema. Read posts 1 and seven . http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=35042 __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

03-26-2008, 01:04 AM	#3
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Disk Brake Conversion rant No, believe me, it's the Hedmans __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang



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