cadillac rear disc brakes on 70 truck

[powerbench]

Does anyone know what size axle flange is on a 72..I have a sneaking suspicion something is different with my axles..

[70STOVEBOLT]

Thanks justcuz, I will check that out.

[chevyrestoguy]

I am very interested in doing a rear disc conversion, and I used the search function and found a few different configurations . One uses Cadillac parts, the other uses Impala parts, and the last uses Impala rotors and Camaro calipers.

There are alot of wrecking yards close to me with tons of mid 80s GM stuff, and the Cadillac parts shouldn't be too difficult to find. Is there any drawback to this system versus the two others I mentioned? I gather that it has the parking brake internal to the caliper, and that's important to me. I get the idea that some have scoffed at the Cadillac system because it's older technology and not the sexier looking later model Impala/Camaro set-up. I am interested in hearing from guys running the Caddy set-up and how well it works and the availability of over-the-counter parts. Do you have to also grab the master cylinder out of the donor, or can you buy a new disc/disc master cylinder (like a '68 to '81 Corvette unit) and it'll work fine?

I love hitting the wrecking yards, and I love building stuff that works well for hardly any money. Our yards around here have 50% off Day, and even $5 Day (every part is $5) every once in awhile, and a complete Caddy system would be a smoking deal on one of those days.

[sweet70beast]

Everyone has different opinions on which one is better. I went with the Caddy setup because the price was right(free). I put it on my Nova and I have to admit that I haven't put the Caddy calipers on yet. Mine are rusty and need to be rebuilt or exchanged so I have front calipers from an S-10 on there so I don't have a parking brake, yet.
I took the master cylinder, push rod out of the booster (the Caddy's was shorter than my Nova's) and the prop valve and have not had any problems after 3 years of use.

[jablack]

Does it matter what year S-10 calipers you use and what rotor works best with those calipers?

[sweet70beast]

Seems to me mine are from a late 80's S-10 but bare in mind that I don't have a parking brake now. If you do go with the Caddy set up you can use ceramic pads ( no dust or noise)from the S-10 by taking of the holding brackets off of the pads, they don't list ceramic pads for the back of the Caddys but the S-10's (fronts) will work.
I had to use 79 Firebird rotors to get the 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern. The 79 Caddy rotors have a 5 on 5 which I think is the same as the 71 and up trucks so that rotor should go right on. I had to machine the outside of my axle flange to fit inside the hat of the rotors, I wouldn't be suprised if you had to do it with the truck axles. It only cost me $20 per side to do at a machine shop.

[nartkers]

OK I am trying to run Caddy Calipers ('85 Seville). They have provisions for parking brake, but I do not need that. The problem is that the bolt where the parking brake would hook up always leaks on the caliper. What can I do to stop the leaking?

[jablack]

I was wondering if you can use the Caddy rotors with the S-10 calipers.

[sweet70beast]

I would think you could because the caddy rotors and the trans am rotors are the exact same except for the bolt pattern. (size and measurements)

[jablack]

Sounds good to me. I appreciate the help.

[jablack]

Well I got the backing plates from a 77 cadillac brougham and they won't fit over the axle tube and the rotors won't fit over the axle flange. I'm going to have the axles machined down and punch out the hole in the backing plate another 9/16 of an inch and it should work.

[fastom]

I have the Cadillac setup on my truck and I think they work very well. I wanted the e-brake and that works well also.

Sorry I don't have a better pic!

[bddcustoms]

hey,

beautiful set up. I'm just starting the same conversion. what e-brake cable did you use, where did you find it, and how easy to it mate to your stock e-brake pedal (assuming it did)?

thanks.

DTT

[fastom]

I had the cables made locally, they work with the stock e-brake handle for the 68.

[myfirstcarwasa73trk]

fastom what year cady rotors with ebrake this is the set up I am looking t swa over to and braket where did this come from?

[cestrella80]

Originally Posted by 61superman

alright 68 longbed again i apologize but here is what you were asking for:
this is my setup
85 cadillac seville calipers stamped 020,021
77 cadillac seville rear rotos (mine are just drilled)
banjo bolt 10x150
the cadillac rubber brake hose is metric for it to bolt up to your hard line you will need an adapter from metric to standard (got mine from napa).
hope this helps and if you have any questions i promise to get back with a speedy response.
hope the wait was worth it

Hi Superman, I know, it's been many years, I installed 85 el dorado brackets and I ordered 79 rear rotos but they didn't fit because flange is bigger that the rotors, did you modify the axle flange or rotors??

Please help,

[cwlroch]

Originally Posted by cestrella80

Hi Superman, I know, it's been many years, I installed 85 el dorado brackets and I ordered 79 rear rotos but they didn't fit because flange is bigger that the rotors, did you modify the axle flange or rotors??

Please help,

This is a very old thread!

Someone else had mentioned they had to machine the axle flange down to get the rotors to fit.