Hi BigCal,
The Commodore disc bearings are the same size as the Commers, but they are spaced too far apart, which is good. I'm planning to shorten the stub axle, machine the correct position for the bearing and re tap the retaining nut thread.
The reason I originally looked at the Commodore set up was that there are heaps of 16-18" wheels out there, as is the case with late model Falcons, but they are all negative offset, and I am sure that they will foul the suspension. I'm also concerned about reducing the front track, which doesn't need to be any narrower than it is now.
I'm about to check an HQ-HZ disc to see if the bearing sizes are the same. The HQ-HZ stud pattern is fractionally different to the Commodore, but at least all the mags will be positive offset. Problem is that all the 2nd hand mags are 14" and I reckon it will look like it's running on skateboard wheels! The idea was to use mags that are easily available and cheap. I've got a 235/45 x 17" (tyre only), which looks fantastic when you stick under the van.
I also looked at adapting VG and/or Centura discs to the original Commer hubs. Those VG/Centura discs were hard to find at the wreckers 20 years ago. I had a few of each in the shed too. Everyone used them with Commodore calipers on our Datsun 1600 Group G Rally Cars back in the 80's, but unfortunately I tossed the matching hubs years ago. All the discs we are talking about are around 280mm (11") and ventilated. The best thing with the Rally Car, was that the brakes were so big that you didn't need to use competition pads, they never got hot enough. When you needed new pads you headed off to Kmart Auto Department and paid $68 a set instead of $180+ for the pads for the Datsun Competition 4 pot calipers.
I need to do some more measuring before I decide which way to go. I ultimately want to use the Commer as a tow vehicle and really want to go the four wheel disc option. I'm sure between the two of us we'll figure out something.
Australia is a big country and I don't intend to be driving the Van for hours on the redline at 100kph, plus the bonus of be sworn at all day . It needs to "cruise" at 120kph and stop when loaded. I like the idea of cruising and pass modern cars, were the kids in the back ask their parents "What's That", and the parents see the small badge on the roof disappearing and reply, "I think it was a Comet!" Hopefully when it's done I'd like to think of it as a Van for the 21st Century, without the horrid modern styling.
I might hit the shed next weekend and try and get the project "moving forward". Just had a funny thought, no one else probably has the faintest idea what we are talking about.
Cheers catch you later,
Suinnyboy
