Drum brakes

[Orphan61bubble]

Help! I’m a newbie. Just bought a 61 Venture with a 428, 400 turbo and 4:10 posi. It goes but doesn’t stop. I could use help finding brake drums. I have found wheel cylinders, hardware, and shoes but no drums,  dual master cylinder and booster., maybe. Never know till it’s on the porch. I’d like to stay with drums but would switch to discs if I have to. Although not having much luck there either so far have found MPBrakes but nobody picks up the phone. I know there’s been discussion about a brakes on a 63, but 61 seems to be a whole different animal. 
Any help would be much appreciated, getting real frustrated at this point. Thanks

[Old guy44]

I have a 63 Catalina convertible with an L83 and 6l80 trans and I can state with certainty that you are never going to get it to stop with the drum brakes. I do not know about the suspension on the 61 how it compares to my 63 but In a few weeks I will be doing a Wilwood install on my 63. Wilwood has a rear kit for the olds pontiac rear end but nothing for the front so I will be engineering one from parts. I plan to post the install on the how to forum with pictures and measurements, whatever information I learn from the install. 

My guess is that your 61 has the olds pontiac drop out as they started using them in the late 50's I do not know how the 61 front suspension differs from my 63 but my guess would be that fabricating caliper mounts would be the only difference in the install. Once I figure out for sure what rotor and caliper I eventually wind up with I will post the Wilwood part numbers and exacting measurements on the fabricated brackets. I do know that I will need to use my existing front hubs.

Fortunately for me Wilwood is only 30 miles down the road so if I need something a call and a short trip will get it.

[Orphan61bubble]

@oldguy44. Time flys! Finally found a disc brake setup from MP Brakes.  Wilwood for a 61 requires that you buy their control arms if I remember. But of course I forgot what I don’t remember. While waiting for the brakes I got ps,bs,alt.and a/c pulleys and brackets from CVF. Bought a old style (Heritage) hang on evap. 
What I haven’t found is all the window and door rubber. BOP, not sure about Chevy, are all the same from the belt line up. Somebody must make it. Removed the quarter windows to replace the worn out plastic rollers and don’t want to put them back with what’s left of the old stuff. 

 

[Old guy44]

I don't know if I mentioned it but I have a set of aftermarket discs on the front of mine that are less than acceptable. I am going with Wilwood because it is a known item. People I know use them for all kinds of racing and I do not know of anyone that has had a problem. As stated they have a complete rear kit for the 9.3 Olds Pontiac drop out with an integral parking brake. I will be using hat style rotors that will fit my existing hubs and calipers designed for a mid 60's vintage Impala kit that uses the same rear kit. These parts are designed to work together and should provide a good balanced brake system. I will need to fabricate caliper brackets which should not be terribly difficult because it is a bolt on caliper as opposed to sliding. I got involved in an '07 Beetle for my granddaughter which started out to be a small project and wound up being a second career. Most VW electrical parts are VDO which I am certain is an abbreviation for Voodoo. Best explanation I have found for German electronics. I am finally done with it and will be ordering the Wilwood parts next week. I will not be changing any hard parts because as stated I will be fabricating all my own brackets. I am not disparaging MP brakes don't know anything about them, I just need to know that when I am done  I will have a set of braked capable of dealing with Los Angeles freeway traffic and the the second attempt will be the last.

As for Rubber try OPG They should have it or know who does. 

Good luck

[Frosty]

Check out Steele Rubber Products - they should have most of what you are looking for.

https://www.steelerubber.com/search?year=1961&make=pontiac&model=ventura&style=2-door-hardtop

 

[Orphan61bubble]

@oldguy44. Would have liked Wiwoods, have had them on two of hotrods, one four wheel disc. You have the advantage of being able to fabricate. I’m lucky if I can figure out how to open the car door. I’m no tech, I just love tinkering with old cars and driving them of course.

[Orphan61bubble]

Frosty where was this stuff when I looked! I might have gotten to their web site through a link that didn’t show me everything, is that possible? I’ll call them or order the parts. Thanks for the info.

[Frosty]

Once I got to their website, I simply entered your year, make, and model and this is what it came up with......

Another company I often look at is SoffSeal......

https://www.soffseal.com/parts/1961-Pontiac-Ventura//

However, Steele Rubber often has a bit larger selection of parts.

[Orphan61bubble]

I got there eventually. Right now installing the new brackets for the alt. ,air and power steering. Should finish that today. Got the last pieces to rebuild the rear brakes in clouding new drums.