disk brakes

[Guest]

my 60 is under braked,i would like to know what other disk brake systems will fit.

[Rockin Kev]

RE: disk brakes

As far as iam aware the only Disc Brakes were fitted to the 65 Thunderbirds. I am unaware if the 65 used the wishbone set up at the front or coil springs. There was talk of this conversion on the V.T.C.I. Web site and so members said that on conversion they would possibly have to shave the wheel arces. This conversion is something i have considered in the past so i will look at a friends 65 soon and see how its set up.
Kevin.

[1960Bird]

RE: disk brakes

I haven't purchased anything from these folks yet...so do not know about quality etc, but it looks as if they have what is needed.http://www.dropnstop.com/page3.htm






Steve Ronk
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1960 HT 390 cu in, Edelbrock RPM intake, shorty headers, two and one half inch exhaust and 3.70 rear gears...if you are going to go in style you might as well go fast

[Guest]

RE: disk brakes

I have done the conversion on my 60. 75-80 Granada parts are used. The spindles are almost identical except the lower ball joint hole needs to be machined out to fit the tbird ball joint. The swap is a very easy bolt up job. You can't use your stock t-bird wheels because the rotor hub diameter is too large. All the parts (except the spindals and backing plates that you have to get from the junk yard)can be purchased at NAPA. you have to use a wheel that will fit a granada. Not a problem for guys like me who go a little custom. I use the universal chrome smoothie's. For anyone who wants to do the swap email me and I will email you all the NAPA part numbers and instructions. You can even use the Granada dual master cylinder. rdnolen@comcast.net

[Alexander]

RE: disk brakes

I have posted a how-to of Rick Nolen's Ford Grenada disc brake conversion at
http://www.squarebirds.org/disc_brake.htm .

Thanks Rick!

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: disk brakes

Alexander,
I noticed on the break hose diagram that there should be two copper seals, one between the banjo bolt and the hose end and the other one between the hose end and caliper. I may not have had that on my drawing. Also, one more thing I forgot to mention,(sorry!) on the calipers where the break hose bolts onto, there is a lip about an eighth inch high half way around the hole that has to be ground down a little so the copper seal and hose end can fit snug onto the caliper. You are not touching the seating surface, just the lip around it. This will be obvious when you try to attach the hose to the caliper. A simple hand grinder will take care of this and you are not compromising the strength or operation the caliper in any way. Maybe you can add this to the description. Thanks. Rick

[Alexander]

RE: disk brakes

I have corrected the drawing and text.

Thanks again Rick. I am sure many will use your instructions.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Alexander]

RE: disk brakes

Rick, I have aquestion. What kind of brake hoses are those that require modification? Couls you naot just get Grenada brake hoses and have the auto parts store put a fitting on the other end to be compatible with the 1958 - 1960 Thunderbird brake system?

Incidentally the brake hose system is different on the 1958 Thunderbird than on the 1959-1960 Thunderbird, so people doing this conversion on a 1958 Thunderbird may need to make up another brake hose.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: disk brakes

I'm not really sure of what car the brake hoses actually belong to. I never thought to ask the guy at NAPA but I'm sure he could tell you when he looks up the number. There may be some sort of adapter that could be used for 58 hoses. I would take the caliper and a 58 hose in to them and see if they can match anything up. I'm curious as to what the differance is between the 58 and 60. As long as the 58 has a fitting at the end of the steel brake line that screws into the end of the hose, it should work. Or you may have to do a little modifying on the 58 brake lines. Also, I will take some pictures of the brake hose attached to the caliper and email them to you so everyone can see the lip on the caliper that needs to be ground down. A bit of caution on this, Only grind enough so that the copper seal sits up further than the lip so that you don't accidentily ruin the seating surface.

[Guest]

RE: disk brakes

I bought a disc brake kit for my 60 T-bird from

http://www.ndgearheadscruiserproducts.com

Very nice people. Now the disc brakes are working great even without a booster. Much better than the stock power drum brakes. They also sale motor/tranny mounts and power-steering kits.

[KULTULZ]

Some Useful Info Hopefully

http://hotrodders.com/t34753-15-1.html

http://www.hotrodders.com/t36497.html

[Alexander]

RE: disk brakes

What kind of wheels did you use with this setup? The site states that the original wheels on 1957-69 Fords will not work even with the optional type of rotors.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[KULTULZ]

Rotor Hub Size

>What kind of wheels did you use with this setup? The site
>states that the original wheels on 1957-69 Fords will not
>work even with the optional type of rotors.

If you will follow the discussion in my offered URL's in front disc interchange, the wheel interchange info will be given. The trick is, using the seventies intermediate spindles, the hub size was increased in 1972, so wheels from that period must be used also.

Also be aware that a lot of these pre-packaged changeover kits use GM components.