Wheel Cylinders

I am in the process of redoing all four drum brakes on my van. The only thing I need is the front wheel cylinders. I purchased the rear ones from Advanced Auto Parts for 10 bucks a piece. I looked into getting the front ones and they are 30 some bucks a piece. Ok, the front brakes do most of the work, they probably cost more. Well I was looking up some part numbers for another member who has a 66, when I noticed That the fronts were only 15 bucks, but the backs were 45. What the hell? There seems to be no consistancy in the prices. That dosent really matter to me though. What I want to know is can I use the cheaper wheel cylinders from a 66 on my 64? And can someone use the cheaper rear cylinders on their 66? Here are some links to the cylinders...

64 cylinders
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/partlist_Brake-Wheel-Cylinder_232_R%7CGRPBRHYAMS___

66 cylinders
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/partlist_Brake-Wheel-Cylinder_232_R%7CGRPBRHYAMS___

Well the links worked at first but now they wont? For the rears I used the 7/8" bore. That was the only option for the rears for a 64. But the fronts for a 64 come in 1 1/8" and1 1/16" and its the same for a 66. Can I take out my cylinders, measure the bore, and use front cylinders from a 66 with the same bore?

I still dont understand why front cylinders would be cheaper for a 66 than a 64. But its good to know I can use the 66 ones on my van for half as much as the ones for a 64 cost. As always, thanks for your help Don.

donivan65 wrote:Popularity,,,,,,things that were only used for 1 or 2 years on only 1 or 2 vehicles are not worth rebuilding and stocking,,,,,,,now you get some van part that also fits an El Camino or Camaro or a lot of different years they will make a lot of replacements and they are cheaper. You always have the option of rebuilding your old ones if the bore is clean or can be cleaned up with a little honing. You should be able to find the rebuild kits for them. But I would have to say, converting that 1 line master cylinder to a 2 line one that the 2nd Gen, 1967-70 Chevy Vans use AND replacing all the old metal and rubber hoses should be on the TOP of the list for anyone owning a 1st Gen, 1964-66 Chevy or GMC van.

I second that advice!! don't mess around with old brakes, do what you gotta do to replace'em, collect cans, sell your comics on ebay or just go deliver pizzas to get the extra bucks to correctly replace the 40 year old brake system if your gonna use the van for more than just a storage van!! I think it was LAW that ALL vehicles sold in the US from 1967 on MUST have a duall Master, I know VW's fords and chevys made that change for 67, good thing too!!