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68 American disc brake upgrade
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jdarosa View Drop Down
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Joined: Oct/31/2014
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    Posted: Aug/04/2021 at 11:09am
Hey everyone. Just picked up a 68 American 440 4dr, 4 wheel drums. 
I want to upgrade to disc brakes, either Scarebird (easy to find replacement parts, expensive) or source from an AMC (harder to find). 

The car currently has 14” steel wheels. Do I need to go up to 15” for front discs?
Thank you in advance.
Jeremy in Oregon
1968 American 440 – 232/AT 4dr
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Trader View Drop Down
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Joined: May/15/2018
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Points: 6876 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug/04/2021 at 1:41pm
There is also this package that will fit your 14" rims.
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tomj View Drop Down
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Points: 7539 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug/05/2021 at 12:27am
Scarebird should work fine with 14" wheels.
1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com
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jdarosa View Drop Down
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Joined: Oct/31/2014
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Points: 264 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jdarosa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug/22/2021 at 10:15am
Thanks Trader and Tomj. Went with the scarebird kit and their hubs.
1968 American 440 – 232/AT 4dr
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Hemirambler View Drop Down
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Points: 197 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hemirambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/04/2021 at 8:58am
 Just for reference, I swapped discs onto my '64 American from an '81 Concord. I was AMAZED how easy it was. Pretty much a complete bolt on. The only "modification"  (if you could even call it that) was I had to file a small notch into the brake hose tab so I could use the disc brake hoses. Talk about simple and all AMC parts.  I bought the complete spindle assy as the spindles are a tad longer for disc brakes, but how cool that the AMC engineers used bolt on spindles. Made it so nice to upgrade.  

Jacin in Ohio
 
1964 American Convertible (stock)
1964 American Hardtop (Not Stock)
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farna View Drop Down
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Points: 19675 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/06/2021 at 6:32am
Using AMC parts from a 79-83 Concord or Spirit (or Pacer) is fine, but rotors are getting hard to find and prices will go up accordingly. 81-83 are the best -- Delco low drag calipers. All 79-83 use the same rotors. This is why I recommend the Scarebird kit. It also uses a Delco (GM, Chevy I think is specified) low drag caliper. 79-80 use a Bendix sliding caliper... actually what I have on my car. The Scarebird kit wasn't available when I converted mine in 2000. I've installed the Scarebird kit on a couple cars since then for others.
Frank Swygert
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Joined: Aug/10/2021
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Points: 1 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SKIDSEL Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/15/2021 at 8:03pm
Have you used/installed this AMC Lives brake conversion kit.  A couple of the upgraded components were shipped to me without the "upgrade", tt seems like one of the spindles wasn't machined correctly as the rotor won't fit perfectly on the spindle - could also be the bearing, also the installation bolts were too short.  
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jdarosa View Drop Down
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Joined: Oct/31/2014
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Points: 264 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jdarosa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/15/2021 at 8:16pm
No I did not…although I thought about it. I ended up going with the Scarebird kit. Getting to the install soon. That sounds…not good.
1968 American 440 – 232/AT 4dr
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