Front disc Brake conversion...seeking information

B

BrownPSU78

Active Member

Sep 9, 2004

129

0

27

Feb 20, 2006

#1

• Feb 20, 2006

• #1

Due to brake failure i have to postpone a 408w build..grrr..but itll give me a chance to work on other areas of the car. I am looking into converting to a front disc rear drum manual setup...I know nothing about spindles and master cylinders...My car was converted to a v-8 by the previous owner. Where can I read about spindles and stuff...(i dont even know what they look like). I want to do this but i want to get a generally knowledge before i order parts etc..So does anyone have any good links or advice on the front manual disc swap...
Car is a 69 6 cylinder to 302 converted...I have 15 inch rims so that will limit brake choices...
Rear brakes are in pretty good shape too...
--Brown

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Feb 20, 2006

#2

• Feb 20, 2006

• #2

since you have drum brakes, i would get the caliper brackets, and calipers, as well as rotors from virginia classic mustang along with the dust shields, and brake hoses to convert to from disc brakes. you will need to convert to 5 bolt wheels if you havent already. you will also need the change your master cylinder to a disc/drum one for a 69 mustang.

 

wild70stang

New Member

Nov 11, 2005

317

0

0

Feb 20, 2006

#3

• Feb 20, 2006

• #3

CJ pony parts, and NPD have decent prices for 4 piston calipars. You can also find new 1975-78 granada and 1965-73 mustang rotors on ebaymotors.com.

 

zookeeper

Founding Member

Aug 25, 2001

3,415

63

109

Rogue River, Oregon

Feb 20, 2006

#4

• Feb 20, 2006

• #4

There's also a guy on ebay that's selling a neat setup that uses '80 Monte Carlo rotors and calipers and is very, reasonably priced. I know some guys may have a problem with GM parts on their Mustang, but GM has (in my opinion) always had superior brakes to even the very best stock Mustang. I really dislike the light-switch feel of the Ford power brakes.

 

5

5.0ina66

Member

Jun 6, 2003

664

0

16

Ohio

Feb 20, 2006

#5

• Feb 20, 2006

• #5

Rod & Custom RC132 kit @ $349 with Crown Vic rotors and GM calipers, or the new Scarebird brackets for 68-70 rotors and GM calipers (total ~$320). The RC132 kit comes with stainless braided lines too. Use a disc/drum 69 MC

PS: Yes the RC132 kit works on 69s....someone here is doing it

 

B

Big_B

New Member

Oct 22, 2003

121

0

0

Sacramento

Feb 20, 2006

#6

• Feb 20, 2006

• #6

Search the forum. There are literally dozens of threads about the dozen or more different options. From caliper brackets, to the granada swap, to kits from Stainless Steel Brakes.

For example, I am doing a granada swap right now on a 68 coupe. I bought spindles with all the hardware, even new rotors, for a little under 200. Everything but new m/c, proportioning valve, and hoses.

 

B

BrownPSU78

Active Member

Sep 9, 2004

129

0

27

Feb 20, 2006

#7

• Feb 20, 2006

• #7

Thank you for the information. But my problem still stands...I dont really know what a spindle is....Anyone have a link or care to explain...Pictures would be nice....I already have a 5 bolt lug pattern. Maybee a how-to that is written up somewhere that i havent been able to find?
--Brown

 

B

Big_B

New Member

Oct 22, 2003

121

0

0

Sacramento

Feb 20, 2006

#8

• Feb 20, 2006

• #8

Try here:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=granada+disc+brake+swap&btnG=Google+Search

 

LMan

Founding Member

Aug 10, 2002

1,246

0

0

Mom's basement

Feb 21, 2006

#9

• Feb 21, 2006

• #9

www.discbrakeswap.com

 

zookeeper

Founding Member

Aug 25, 2001

3,415

63

109

Rogue River, Oregon

Feb 21, 2006

#10

• Feb 21, 2006

• #10

BrownPSU78 said:

Thank you for the information. But my problem still stands...I dont really know what a spindle is....Anyone have a link or care to explain...Pictures would be nice....I already have a 5 bolt lug pattern. Maybee a how-to that is written up somewhere that i havent been able to find?
--Brown

Click to expand...

There is no easy way to say this, and I'm sorry I didn't read the original post more carefully, but if you don't know what a spindle is, you really shouldn't be doing a brake swap on your car. I don't mean that in a condescending way nor am I trying to discourage ANYONE from learning how to work on their own ride rather than just paying someone else to do everything. A brake swap is no place for mistakes. Learning by trial and error is fine when you're doing an intake swap, or doing your own upholstery, or trying your hand at bodywork. None of those result in death if things don't go well, but if you overlook something or fail to do the job as well as a pro, you could be putting everyone around you in a bad situation. Please get a buddy who's done it before to help you, or at least have then double check your work if you decide to try it yourself. PM me if you have any specific questions and I'll be more than happy to help.

 

T

tylerdru

New Member

Aug 18, 2005

15

0

0

Feb 21, 2006

#11

• Feb 21, 2006

• #11

There is a group purchase going on at another forum. If 5 people buy the setup then it is $470 each!!!!!!! Please do not regard this as trolling i am just trying to help out fellow mustangers. I am not even affialiated with them.
http://www.mustangforums.com/m_1053227/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#1053227

www.discbrakeswap.com

Click to expand...

 

B

BrownPSU78

Active Member

Sep 9, 2004

129

0

27

Feb 22, 2006

#12

• Feb 22, 2006

• #12

Zoo keeper i hear what your saying...But I have to learn somehow...I am just looking for resources to read...for now at least...and if i feel comfortable i will do my brakes with some friends who know a lot more than i do..
--Brown

 

jcode68

Active Member

Jul 15, 2003

892

1

29

Massachussetts

Feb 22, 2006

#13

• Feb 22, 2006

• #13

It's great that you want to learn and doing brakes is actually pretty straight forward and easy if you approach it with common sense. The best thing you could do is pick up a Mustang Service Manula for your car and read all of the various brake inspection and R&R procedures. There are pictures that are relevant to your car and it will be a good way for you to get a base before you start turning wrenches. Then you can research the kits available and pick one after having a better understanding of the parts involved and what makes one kit a better choice than another.

 

zookeeper

Founding Member

Aug 25, 2001

3,415

63

109

Rogue River, Oregon

Feb 22, 2006

#14

• Feb 22, 2006

• #14

BrownPSU78 said:

Zoo keeper i hear what your saying...But I have to learn somehow...I am just looking for resources to read...for now at least...and if i feel comfortable i will do my brakes with some friends who know a lot more than i do..
--Brown

Click to expand...

I guess the reason I'm concerned is that my first disc brake swap was such a problem. I was about 19 and didn't know that I was supposed to use red Loc-Tite on the caliper bracket bolts. The instructions for the kit weren't much more than an exploded view, showing the location of all the parts and spacers. I also accidently swapped the calipers side for side and the bleeders were now the lowest part of the caliper rather than the highest, so I couldn't bleed it, so it actually worked worse than the drums they replaced. Then, one day in traffic, one of the calper bracket bolts worked loose and since it couldn't fall all the way out, it wedged itself in the brake rotor, locking up that front wheel, which doesn't help the handling at all. Anyway, I'm glad you didin't take my commments as an insult, and hope your brake swap goes better than mine went!

 

chepsk8

Founding Member

Jan 15, 2001

2,203

3

49

Easton, PA

Feb 22, 2006

#15

• Feb 22, 2006

• #15

Without a doubt, use the search to find the good threads. I did a Granada conversion, realatively painless. Easiest way is to buy a complete conversion kit from a good company. I have had good luck with MasterPower brakes down in North Carolina.