Looking for 65 Galaxie brake caliper brackets

[OldFordGuy]

Some of you probably know where this is going already. I bought a bunch of 65 t-bird front disc brake parts to put together a conversion kit for my 65 full sized Mercury (I said Galaxie in the title because it’s also full sized and more common). It turns out the spindles are longer, length wise and cause too much interference. I’d prefer to keep my old ball joints and use my existing spindles but for that I will need caliper brackets. I can only find them as part of a kit. Then there’s the Granada spindle option. Those I can find but then I’ll have to replace lower ball joints and I’m not sure if my t-bird hubs, calipers, etc will match up well. There are those Kelsey Hayes style brackets for Mustangs, not sure if those will work, but I can’t find anything for full sized cars. Anyone know?

[jopizz]

Just for your information 1966 and 1967 full size Ford and Mercury cars used 1967 Thunderbird spindles, not 1965. They may work better on your '65 than the 1965 Thunderbird spindles you have. I don't know anyone that sells just the caliper brackets. Scarebird https://www.scarebird.com still doesn't have them in stock according to their website.

John

[OldFordGuy]

Thanks. Do you know if the 67 spindles are compatible with the 65 hub and calipers that I have or will I have to get 67 parts?

[jopizz]

The Ford parts book shows the calipers are different but aftermarket parts books show the same calipers from 1965-67. Rockauto also shows them the same. The hubs and rotors should be the same from 1965-1967. It also appears that the upper and lower control arms are the same whether it's drum or disc brakes.

John

[OldFordGuy]

Guy I got my 65 parts from has no 67s. He has a 69 and a 71. Maybe? I guess I need to measure them.

[jopizz]

The '67 spindles were a one year only so the '69 and '71 will not be exactly the same. They may only have minor differences though.

John