Good job Ben, originality is nice, but even Jay Leno wont hesitate to install modern brake system or clutches on his antique treasures. Because he drives them! Makes those old cars much more enjoyable.
Good to see the Caddy again. One thing I like about your videos is that you work and make decisions the same way I do. Bolt in swap and keeping your original wheel/tire combo makes the most sense. Also great to see a younger family man interested in these classics. Love the 'Vettes too.
Nice to see the Cad again, I have been around long enough to remember when you got it, and all the trials you went through with one engine "builder"...a long time ago. Looks like a nice brake kit. I am an old guy and watched my Dad who was a HD mechanic/machinist and he did side jobs at home. He traded a 52 MG TD for a very nice 56 Sedan a lot like yours. I remember riding in it.....The reason for those pins in the lower bolts is probably the fact that the steering arms are bolted to the spindle through them.
Caliper in front does add to nose dive under braking due to rotation of rotor when it interacts with the brake pads. I prefer mine trailing so there is a lifting force and less dive, but some cars stop better with leading position. Rear caliper in leading position reduces lift under braking. I think later vettes were set up this way. Lovin the 56! Good upgrade.
I use to own a 69 Buick Electra. Had all drum brakes and I just never liked them. I finally did a conversion on it and I fell in love with the car all over again. Night and day difference.
There's keeping a classic original, and then there's safety functions that should be updated to modern standards- brakes are the latter without question. You hit the right balance between as GM designed and built that Caddy and improving it for better usability. Great to see the Caddy getting some video time!
As ever kudos! You are always entertaining and insightful, not to mention remarkably proficient with machines older than you are. The 56 is a beauty (electric wipers yet?) and my dream car would be a 1957 Coupe DeVille. Owned 3 Caddys myself a 1978 Sedan De Ville, a 1981 Seville and a 1988 Coupe DeVille, none of which inspired me like your '56. Keep up the great work and best to the family and yourself.
Those look exactly like the disc break set up for my Chevy made a big difference in stopping, from having only one shoe break working to having both breaks working.
I love 56 Cadillacs and have watched all your videos from back in the days when you were in town . I know paint is expensive but I like them bone stock. How did you become such a good mechanic? You also stated many videos ago that you would install the autronic eye from one of your parts cars. I guess you are busy with your Corvette business and your growing family. Love your new garage.
I remember when you picked this car up year's ago. I was wondering what happen to it. Yeah they have break conversion kits. I did my 1947 Chevy Coupe that way. From 6 lug to 5 lug
Are the calipers, pads , rotors and bearings readily available at parts stores ? Do they cross reference to a 2wd truck/van etc ? Modified tools needed for the pins dosen't look to promising for future repairs. Most mods I do on older cars are for reliability and simplicity. Enjoy your videos.
Just did a front disc brake conversion myself for my Edsel, very wise choice. You going to be keeping the old wheels on it or swapping out for something more muscle-themed? Watching your vid makes me realize I needed a tripod when I filmed mine, ah well we live and learn. Looking forward to part 2!
When upgrading BE SURE to have the NEW Disc Brake Caliper bleed screw on the top side. Sound intuitieve, but if it is on the lower side, you can never get ALL the air out of it when bleeding.
Hi Ben. Good to see another video on the Cadillac. She’s a grand old classy lady. Disk brake upgrade? YES! Question. Are we going to see the trunnion bushings in the spindle renewed any time soon? The upper spindle/wishbone (control arm) joint look to be excessively loose and wobbly. Can’t be good for steering feel and tire wear.
Honestly I do not like those cars converted to modern brake systems. I drive my old GM cars with stock brakes for over 40 years and honestly I never had issues with the brakes except once when I started having brake fading after running down a steep curvy mountain road for over an hour and with 6 persons aboard. That was quite scary but noone realised the issue when I hardly made it around a very narrow turn. I am an old man and I am used to old vehicles. The oldest one I drove was from the late Fourties. And I drove Army trucks of the Early Fifties without power steering! Of course you have to adapt your driving style. Last month I drove an Alfa Romeo sportscar of the Midsixties. In spite of having diskbrakes rear and front compared to modern cars the brakes must be called lousy. But once you know that you must simply keep enough distance to the car in front of you.
What in the world is making all of the noise in the background? It sounds like someone trying to replicate a thunderstorm with a piece of sheet metal?!? Or just trying to be noisy.
