I have a 1966 122 that has been modified so origianality is not as important to me as reliablity/safety. I was wondering if there has been any upgrades to the front disc brakes on the 122? I have been only able to find new/rebulit calipers at RPR and they list for $139 plus a $60 core charge (to qualify for a core sounds like you wouldn't have to have new ones) Surely, there is some sort of swap to have a more modern/common calipers (and rotor too). I have seen one brief comment about changeing the spindles to a '70 or later P1800 and using its rotor and caliper. Will this work? Anyone done this? Is there any other options? Thanks for all comments

Hi,

If you change the plates the calipers are mounted on with the types of a later type 122 (the one with 2 separate circuits) it is possible to use the calipers of a 240.

Like I said in my first post the 122 isn't original. I have another '66 that is up for a complete restore (my father was the original owner and my mother was take to the hospital in it to have me dilevered) It will stay completely original. What I'm currently working on is a volvo hotrod! I'm not trying to make the braking power better. I agree that stopping isn't a big problem. I'm just trying to make the maintance cost cheaper. I just think at $140 per caliper (another $60 for the core) is outragous and almost $200 for a rotor isn't any better. The hotrod volvo has already had a power booster/dual master cylinder with perportioning valve added. This came out of a '79 ford mustang. So replumbing or adding additional lines isn't a big concern to me. I'm just looking for an easier/cheaper calipers to find. Cheaper rotors would be fine to. Some of the other goodies added to the volvo is a ford 2.8 v6, C4 automatic trans (fits really nice!), and a ford 8 inch posi rearend. and a GM tilt steering column. I'm currently getting all the parts to switch from the manual steering to a powerd rack and pinion. Should be done by mid Aug on the steering switch.

The 1800E calipers have 4 pistons on 2 separate circuits. No advantage at all unless you want to plumb up a lot of extra brake lines and recreate the double diagonal split circuit brakes the 1800E/ES and 140 series had (each independant circuit works both front wheels and one back wheel). In normal use, however, I don't think they work any better than a properly operating 122 single circuit caliper.

It's possible that some later model 164 calipers that fit vented rotors would fit in the same manner as the 1800E/ES units, but again in normal use no real performance advantage. And those probably are a lot harder to find and more expensive than the 122 calipers.

Note that both the 1800E and 140 and 164 all have a different bolt pattern on the rotors than does the 122.

...122 front discs were never lacking in stopping power...about the only upgrade which makes any sense to me, would be an upgrade to the full dual diagonal system...but its a lot of work, and for what gain?... a second hydraulic system, and not necessarily better braking action...

...I just renew the lines when I go through the brakes and upgrade them to DOT5 fluid (a more worthwhile updrade in the long term IMO), paint them to prevent degradation from rust, inspect them yearly, and keep my e-brake working well and properly adjusted.

Cheers