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  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech

Brake upgrades

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eos
  • Start date Start date Mar 29, 2004

Eos

Oh Heather Oh yeah... I want your pink taco
Jun 13, 2003
734
3
0
oklahoma
Mar 29, 2004
#1
  • Mar 29, 2004
  • #1
Okay, so I don't know much about brakes. I just know that mine suck! What are my options other then stock? "I have a 74 coupe with a 5.0"
 
D

dmoody

Founding Member
Nov 4, 2002
789
0
17
Winston-Salem, NC
Mar 29, 2004
#2
  • Mar 29, 2004
  • #2
II brakes are not all that great but with good fluid, maintainence and some TLC they can work well for day to day driving. That said I am in the process of changing mine so that I can open up rim possibilities with the more common 5-lug configuration.

lots of options for the front... you can go with the Granada rotors w/ GM calipers and lots of variants on this such as aluminum calipers, etc. These kits only cost a couple hundred dollars and are good enough for most any driving you'll do on the street... Wilwood makes a 5 lug kit that is pretty awesome if you want some serious stoppage however it is expensive.

there are few options for the rear that don't require converting to 5-lug or getting really inventive with parts from other cars. Very little braking is actually done by the rear brakes so unless you are looking for 5-lugs I wouldn't go through the trouble.

d
 

cobra_2_76

Founding Member
Aug 24, 1999
201
0
0
Norwalk, Ohio
Mar 30, 2004
#3
  • Mar 30, 2004
  • #3
I used to autocross mine in C Prepared, with slicks, solid suspension and stock brakes. They worked fine back in 1983, but under today's standards are not the "trick" item.

Point is if your driving it on the street they should be fine. Get them re-done by a quality mechanic, with quality parts and you should be fine for everyday driving.

Dave
 
1

1badII

Member
Aug 5, 2003
796
0
16
Durham, North Cacalaky
Mar 30, 2004
#4
  • Mar 30, 2004
  • #4
http://www.heidts.com/heip30.htm
 

Dano78

Founding Member
Nov 1, 1999
2,633
2
47
Vancouver, WA
Mar 30, 2004
#5
  • Mar 30, 2004
  • #5
I agree with Dave, they were ahead of their time when the cars were built and in every day 'normal' driving do just fine , granted everything is adjusted (referring to the rear drums) and working properly.

Of course in comparison to todays driving habits, if you're one to ram-rod it up to the stoplight and then pile-drive your foot into the binders.... you're asking for failure. If that's the case, then, yes it may be wise to upgrade to a Granada rotor setup or even trickier setup byt Wilwood.

Keep in mind, poorly adjusted rear drums will reduce your braking efforts, overall, buy up to 40%! Also leads to excessive wear or premature failure of the front brakes. Most people don't realize how important the rear brakes really are and 9 times out of 10 the drum brakes are not even barely working or damages/worn out.
 

Blue Thunder

15 Year Member
Mar 20, 2004
1,003
55
68
Upstate New York.
Mar 30, 2004
#6
  • Mar 30, 2004
  • #6
Last year I removed and took apart my Stang's brake proportioning valve and cleaned out the varnish, checked the O-rings(they were perfect) and reassembled it. My front brakes worked immensely better afterward. The valve is pure brass inside and out, so it will last forever, but it does get pretty dirty in there after 28+ years of service.
 
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