60 Big Brakes? I have them??

[William B.]

I am currently restoring a 60 and just realized it has the big brake option. I read in nolands book that you could put other shoes in to make it driveable, are those parts still avaliable or are there better ones? Is there information out there that I can determine if I have all the pieces? I have the judging manual and it confused me on how a 60 should look, most of the ducting is gone on a 60? I have duct pieces in the front end and one ear on the back backing plate. Where can I look for information? Can I buy any parts? Thanks to all who can help.

[mike mccagh]

Re: 60 Big Brakes? I have them??

front shoes off a 57 oldsmobile will work just fine. fella at carlisle had a set of rebuilt sintered metallic fronts and rears for sale @2k for both axles. go with the olds fronts. as far as backing plate ducts, both fronts and rears are available as repos. kc strademan of shippensburg has real nice repo rear metal ducts.repo fans and i believe finned drums now available fronts available also but can't remember repoers name. good luck. mike

[Tom P.]

Re: 60 Big Brakes? I have them??

Olds front shoes, from about 55-6 up to about 64 are what you need for street driving. They are a bolt on replacement for the 57-62 HD brake shoes and work just great. They are available at all parts stores such as NAPA. The ones that I have on my 56 came from O'Reillys and are a semi metallic. For the rear, I use the 2in shoes that are used as the standard brake shoes for the front.

[Dave F.]

Re: 60 Big Brakes? I have them??

See this site: http://www.libertyship.com/rpo/default.htm

-Dave

[William B.]

Thanks, Dave, Great Site! *NM*

[Jon #40768]

Re: Thanks, Dave, Great Site!

I had one of those very rare 60s in the early 70s. If you care, I could dig out the vin number and see if it is the same car. I think they only made about 20 of those cars.

Jon

[David Dawdy]

Re: 1960 HD Brake Cars

I have 1960 #2348, what is the liklihood of fi, pw, pt and hd brakes? Inner fendors have holes where ductwork was removed, left inner fender has 1" hole opposite steering adjustment bolt the frame had been stressed to the max, and holes where there had been a three point roll bar, etc. There is no question the first three options were on the car, only fourth could have been added by a former owner prior to 1966 as that is where my trail ends. Currently the car is waiting for the body drop.

Dave D.

[Jon #40768]

Re: 1960 HD Brake Cars

It does not sound like my car. Mine had the fi, but not pw or pt. I will check the vin in the next day or two. If sounds like a great car. If you have never driven a big brake car before, be carfull, they do not stop will when they are cold. I have several scares and did not really like them.

Jon