Disc-o-tech small spindle usage

[Duodec]

Disc-o-tech refers to Ehrenberg's Mopar Action articles on disk upgrades for our greatest generation Mopars FYI

I pulled my box of disk brake upgrade parts from storage.  I have large and small caliper adapters (pin type) and calipers to select through, but I only managed to find the small 70-72 disk spindles back when I pulled them.  I believe the only difference is the inner bearing seat is 1.25" instead of 1.375" found on the later stock height (73-74 Ebody and 73-76 A Body); the brackets and calipers interchange freely.

Are there any durability/reliability issues using a spacer/sleeve to allow use of the larger bearing and 11.75 disks with the small spindle that would make it worth finding factory large spindle (stock height) or even repros?  I've heard from many folks that the 10.8" disks (which the small spindles were designed for) are actually quite good brakes, especially upgrading from drums, though the repro small disk rotors cost somewhat more than the 11.75". 

Thanks

[Duodec]

And OBTW I picked up a couple Dorman brand caliper kits with the sealing ring and the dust boot.  I've read that there are problems with some dust boots not being properly made but at least these were made in the USA.   If anyone has info about "good" kits vs bad please pass that info along.  I've seen Raybestos and AC Delco kits online, as well as the various presumably chinese brands like Centrix but have not seen them in person.

[Duodec]

I picked up a couple of Raybestos rebuild kits also to keep as spares.  The counterman was nice enough to grab two boxes labeled as made in the USA.  Others just said 'Made in" with no country and the interior bag was labeled as china.   Should have checked the others too; the parts in the Made in USA boxes were also labeled as coming from china on the bag...  No instruction sheet like the earlier kits came with either.

I was also surprised to find out that the pin positioners (spring clips the pins go through into the calipers) are now apparently not part of hardware kits and made of solid silver, based on the price.  Mine are pretty rusty so I had planned to replace them.  They used to come in the hardware kits with the pins, bushings, and anti rattle spring, but apparently not any more.

I've seen conflicting info about them being 'only anti-rattle' and safe to leave off, and also that the provide a small amount of support for the pin and actually do matter.  Spending $60 for a set that should only cost a few dollars or be in the hardware kit sucks but needs must.

[Duodec]

More fun with caliper parts.  Found an ebay a NOS 1973 caliper and the seller posted the enclosed sheet that covered the elimination of the pin fasteners.  It implies there is an 'adapter' included that can be used on older cars or discarded on later ones but the ad only shows the caliper.  Not sure if this is the actual caliper bracket they are referring to.  So another thing I'd appreciate info on if anyone has it. 

[HP2]

Dr Diff has been making these spacers for a lot of years.  Use green Loctite and you should be fine for regular street/cruising effort. If you are going to b doing any highspeed or track day  driving, then it might be better to source the correct spindles or get a hub that is compatible with the smaller bearings.

[Duodec]

Yes, I saw those; there are a couple of vendors for the bearing spacers.  But I may bite the bullet and buy a pair of the correct height large spindles when I come across them.  This is all preliminary work; I am still few years out from being able to do serious work on the car proper; just getting smaller subsystems lined up now that I can manage in my weenie overstuffed garage.

And buying parts when both available and on sale like those Napa rotors that turned out to be crap... sigh