New photos of spindle prototypes

[degins]

Here are photos of the 1045 steel Mustang disc brake spindle and caliper bracket prototypes prior to heat treatment and machining. See my previous posting for details

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1018497/Rawsterringknuckleview2.0625x.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1018497/Rawcaliperbracketview1.0625x.JPG

 

[krash kendall]

Right on! Keep the updates comming (especially the '65, '66 when progress begins).

 

[paintballtommy]

wow. is there a waitlist for a kit. if so please put me on the top of it.

 

[Route666]

Any chance on doing the later model classic (70-73 I think) drum spindles?

 

[TT670]

I realize you could never make a spindle for all applications but I have to ask why a spindle for outdated granada brakes? Why not one that uses readily available discs from a late model mustang.. Youd have a bigger market, all the previous granada converts would be potential customers as well as those who have not converted. Maybe its me, but I have no use for those old granada brakes, IMO theyre not that much better than a well maintained set of drums.

 

[degins]

I realize you could never make a spindle for all applications but I have to ask why a spindle for outdated granada brakes? Why not one that uses readily available discs from a late model mustang.. Youd have a bigger market, all the previous granada converts would be potential customers as well as those who have not converted. Maybe its me, but I have no use for those old granada brakes, IMO theyre not that much better than a well maintained set of drums.

There are several reasons to use the 70-73/Granada system. There were several million cars built using the Granada type caliper. This insures a ready supply of inexpensive refurbed calipers and inexpensive 11" rotors. The system is not outdated. A single piston floating caliper on a vented rotor has been used on tens of millions of cars, it is a tried and true design. The 11" rotor offers plenty of stopping power. The Granada steering knuckle is a heavier duty model with a larger pin than 65-69 Mustang. Unlike later FOX model equipment, the Granada steering knuckle is the proper configuration for early Mustang and does in fact have identical steering and suspension geometry to 67-73 Mustang. The knuckle can be adapted to use late model rotors, but contrary to the interest of most of those who post on this and similar boards, the vast majority of Mustang owners are more interested in a basic economical disc brake swap.

As to your last statement, the operative verb is maintained. Setting aside the veracity of that statement, most folks do not maintain their brake systems very well.

 

[2bav8]

I have found that my Granada brakes work SOO much better than my original drum brakes (that were in 'good' working order).

As as matter of fact, a friend who had SSBC brakes on his '67 after driving my car went out and bought a set of Baer brakes for his car because my Granada brakes were so much better than the SSBC brakes.

 

[HistoricMustang]

Here are photos of the 1045 steel Mustang disc brake spindle and caliper bracket prototypes prior to heat treatment and machining. See my previous posting for details

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1018497/Rawsterringknuckleview2.0625x.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1018497/Rawcaliperbracketview1.0625x.JPG

Has there been any testing of this set up?

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[TT670]

I have found that my Granada brakes work SOO much better than my original drum brakes (that were in 'good' working order).

As as matter of fact, a friend who had SSBC brakes on his '67 after driving my car went out and bought a set of Baer brakes for his car because my Granada brakes were so much better than the SSBC brakes.

If you had the choice today and for equal money you could scrounge the junkyard for granada parts or scrounge for 2001-2004 Mustang parts( some of which are the same as Baer), neither having any negative effects on geometry, what would you do? Thats the point Im trying to make.

 

[degins]

Has there been any testing of this set up?

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

The machined protoypes are not finished, so no testing has not been done. Just what do you invision as "testing"? I intend to confirm the metalurgy, the dimensional accuracy, and the structural integrity. I am open to suggestions, but the "set up" is the Granada design and is tried and true, especially for 67-73. Some will claim that the steering geometry is wrong for 65-66, but the dimensional difference is only about 1/2" in the mount of the outer tie rod on the steering arm. In any case, I will soon develope a 65-66 version with original steering geometry. Thanks for you response.

 

[69 Capecod]

Just a though

How many 2001 to 2004 are you really going to find in a junk yard I have been in many of yards and seen very few cars of that age if they where there they where already striped of and value so the logic of granda is great.

 

[degins]

If you had the choice today and for equal money you could scrounge the junkyard for granada parts or scrounge for 2001-2004 Mustang parts( some of which are the same as Baer), neither having any negative effects on geometry, what would you do? Thats the point Im trying to make.

Your assertion that late Mustang parts (Cobra or LX?) would cost the same as Granada parts is not correct. One can find a set of Granada knuckles with proportioning valve, caliper bracket, and dust shields for about $100. New rotors and refurbed calipers add another $85. All the other parts are common to both setups. The late model caliper requires a custom bracket, some kind of proportioning valve, does not include a dust shield, and uses 40 year old fatiged spindles with a light duty pin that was not originally engineered for disc brake application, much less a 13" disc brake application. I think the 11" system is sufficient, but I admit I won't be doing any racing, on road or track.

 

[HistoricMustang]

The machined protoypes are not finished, so no testing has not been done. Just what do you invision as "testing"? I intend to confirm the metalurgy, the dimensional accuracy, and the structural integrity. I am open to suggestions, but the "set up" is the Granada design and is tried and true, especially for 67-73. Some will claim that the steering geometry is wrong for 65-66, but the dimensional difference is only about 1/2" in the mount of the outer tie rod on the steering arm. In any case, I will soon develope a 65-66 version with original steering geometry. Thanks for you response.

Will you put them on a test "mule" and do miles or even better laps as the major manufacturers do before putting them on the market?

If they are for performance applications only where equipment is inspected after each session then I am in. If you are suggesting they be used for street use, that is another story.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[degins]

If you are suggesting they be used for street use, that is another story.]

This is the intended use.

 

[TT670]

Your assertion that late Mustang parts (Cobra or LX?) would cost the same as Granada parts is not correct. One can find a set of Granada knuckles with proportioning valve, caliper bracket, and dust shields for about $100. New rotors and refurbed calipers add another $85. All the other parts are common to both setups. The late model caliper requires a custom bracket, some kind of proportioning valve, does not include a dust shield, and uses 40 year old fatiged spindles with a light duty pin that was not originally engineered for disc brake application, much less a 13" disc brake application. I think the 11" system is sufficient, but I admit I won't be doing any racing, on road or track.

Im not trying to be troublesome but maybe you dont understand what Im asking. Why cant a knuckle be cast that isnt light duty and can use Late model calipers and rotors and dust sheilds without custom brackets? I dont want the late mdoel struts or that other crap just a good spindle that'll use current brakes.

 

[hobbyhorse]

TT670.... I Like your idea. A spindle that can use a factory style suspension and steering gear but could use late model GT or Cobra brakes.

 

[65mistress]

Some people have been working on developing a bracket for the newer SN95 braking set up onto a stock drum spindle. I think that Mustang Steve has gone further than the others so far though.