GOvert Project: Front brakes

I am installing a Ford engine in my '65 Mustang GOvert project that has a rear sump pan. Many of the engines that Ford used in the '90's had rear sump pans including the V-6 4.0 and the 2300 4 cyl. When I was roughing in the engine "fit and mounting", I quickly saw that the sump of the oil pan was going to interfear with the stock steering. I have since come up with a solution and I though I would pass on the information to those who might run into the same problem that I did.

Here is the solution:
I went to the local junkyard and picked up a pair of Mustang II front steer spindles. these are also available new.
I found a hotrod parts supplier who sells a bracket ($19.99 each manufactured by Allstar Performance) that allows you to use the '77 Ford Granada 11" rotor on the M II spindle with the GM "metric" caliper.
Here is the link to rjays.com, the particular page with the M II brake stuff
http://rjays.com/Brakes/MII-Brakes-01.htm
Friday I spoke with Rjay himself in Cuba, Mo. Great guy, easy to talk to and gave me the his full attention while placing my order.
All I have left to do to complete the package is to fab a crossmember to mount the '87-'93 Foxbody Mustang rack & pinion assy to the framerails. These are available rebuilt from most of the "supermarket" parts houses. They are available 2 and a 1/4, 2 and 1/2, and 3 turns lock to lock depending on your preference for about $75- to $90- plus core or core charge. You may ask, "Why not use the Mustang II rack and pinion assy ?" well they cost about $130- plus a core a mount with 3 bolts instead of two as does the Foxbody R & P.
I hope to this info will be usefull to others and look around Rjays site while you are visiting !

Additional information:
The Granada rotors on the M II spindles stick out a 1/2 inch wider than the M II rotors on the M II spindles.
You have to do the "Shelby 1 inch drop because the M II spindles are shorter ball joint to ball joint.

Questions for those who might know:
Where can I find a template for the Shelby 1 and 3/4 inch drop ? I have it for the 1 ".
Is there a bracket available to use the Cobra PBR calipers and 11.25 " rotors on the M II spindles ?
 
Opentracker should be able to sell you the Shelby drop template you are looking for.

I don't want to knock what you did but it seems like you took the long way around. Wouldn't a custom oil pickup and a custom oil pan be a lot easier then changing the hole steering setup ?

I'd like to see what you got so far. Got any pics ?
 
Thanks for sharing. Please post some pictures when you are done. The power rack from the Mustang is a good one as long as it isn't too wide for your application.
Please continue to share your progress. Thanks again.
mannyjoe
 
Thanks Rusty67 and MannyJoe for the comments and encouragement.

I guess you could say I might have took the long way around but then again maybe not. I was wanting a R & P set-up anyway and I like the Flaming River design but it just seemed a little too pricey.

The Mustang II's (74-78) with the 2300 engine came from the factory with a front sump pan, so those parts do exist and in fact I might do the next conversion that way and retain the stock 65-6 steering.

I was being real stubborn about wanting to keep the rear sump pan on the '93 engine with the A4LD trans and also the stock PS steering pump and bracket so that is why I went the M II spindle route. And it looks like I am taking the rack & pinion assy off of the '93 donor car that the engine and trans is coming out of !
Added:The Foxbody R&P is too wide. Switched to the MII manual steering R&P. The MII spindles are shorter than the stock 65-66 spindles. Who have to take this in to account when you plot out the Shelby style UCA drop. (More than 1") This affects camber and there is another little trick you have to perform.
The '94 3.8 V-6, the Explorer 4.0 and the late and maybe all of the Foxbody 2300's had the rear sump pan. (Does the 4.6 have a rear sump pan ?) The way the oil pan bolts to the transmission serves a structural purpose so If I used a front sump pan I would have to use braces from the bottom middle of the engine block diagonally back to the transmission to keep the bellhousing from cracking. (Mustang II's probably had these braces).

I'll post some pictures soon, as soon as I finish a 35mm role. I know, "digital man, digital". I have a crappy little digital camera so I won't even try with it.
 
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Why again did you want to keep the rear-sump pan so badly?

Front sump pan + pickup = what, 30 mins and $150?

Oops, its a 2.3.... $75. ;)

I'm no engineer but I think you desperately and diligently sought, then found, a solution in search of a problem.


Good luck with the rest of your project.
 
The Mustang II came from the factory with a front sump pan and should work provided the hump isn't too far back and touch the tube crossmember. 4.0 V-6 engines are rear sump only and I plan to do that to a '67 coupe soon, so it will be the same parts.

Here are the the parts involved so far : (will add pic soon)

Mustang II spindles- used pair $50- to $100-
M II spindles-NEW Heidt pair $199-
SR caliper bracket Allstar perf left $19.99 Allstar Perf M II caliper brackets
SR caliper bracket Allstar perf right $19.99
shipping ~11- $11.00
84 chev Camaro caliper left AAP $9.88
84 chev Camaro caliper right AAP $9.88
84 Camaro brake hose left AZ $11.99
84 Camaro brake hose right AZ $11.99
Granada rotor 11" AZ $37.37
Granada rotor 11" AZ $37.37
bearing ~ $40 $40.00
Brake pads ~ $20 $20.00
TOTAL $277- to $427- + tax

There will be more parts. Suspension needs replaced !

Thanks for your comments Cap'n :-)
 
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Waiting on Parts

I was hoping that I would have something good to report. I assume that my caliper brackets from SE Missouri would be here by now. I guess the flood waters havn't receeded yet causing my package to be delayed.

I will take pics of the stuff with the cheap digital camera if you all would like to see pictures around Thursday. I will do a new post. Later gang...