ok, I'm sure its been talked about many times, so, now I'm thinking of going with dish brakes in front, any help or past postings I can look up?
Gerald.......scroll on down to the "brake swap" section. I think you'll find plenty of reading there.
why do I start things I know little about, I'm more into flatheads, an since its not broke the heck with it, thanks for all the info guys
I understand completely! I only remember that my 57 Fairlane in 1967 would only stop in a hurry from 70+ once maybe! That is a serious safety issue depending on your driving habits and location in today's world. I had disc brakes on the front of my car when I bought it 13 years ago and they were from a Torino and they didn't function properly at all! I decided to used a simple Wilwood conversion with 4 piston fixed calipers and a non power brake master and now my car can stop! Now I have to really get on the pedal to stop but that's OK, the set up is simple and I would not drive the car without it now. My recommendation is do it, better to have it and not need it....
I also have Wilwood 4 piston front disc brakes on my 59, although I retained manual brakes. Works fine, and no issues with wheel alignments or suspension geometry, since the Wilwood kit retains the original drum brake spindles.
Quote from: 59meteor on 2024-03-16 20:55since the Wilwood kit retains the original drum brake spindles.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I like that piece of news. Makes them cheaper and easier to do the conversion. I'll tell them they owe you a sales commission! :006:
Yeah try to get a lot with originals spindles. Then find OEM 14" wheels from a 80's Granada with the larder hub hole and you can run an original tire size and hubcaps. That what I got on my hardtop.
one last question, going with none power brakemaster, isn'there some kinda power valve involved?, thanks jerry
You can add several types of brake boosters. The most simple is a vacuum booster which is what was originally used by Ford in '57 (you can retrofit a system), but there are more modern vacuum booster designs available now. You can also used a hydro-boost system but that requires a power steering pump. Lastly is an electrically boosted system which is pricey. All these option require additional complexity and expense.
Quote from: geraldchainsaw on 2024-03-17 02:55one last question, going with none power brakemaster, isn'there some kinda power valve involved?, thanks jerry
Probably what you are referring to is a proportioning valve. That simply lets you adjust the pressure to the rear wheels so they don't lock-up first. Gerald...your convertible doesn't have power brakes?
yes, I know I don't have power brakes, not being sarcastic, everyone in my car club, roam n chariots, out in southgate mi, south of Detroit, says I should switch to disk brakes, so many questions until I have a idea whats going on, like, how available are 1980 Garnada ford wheels ?, there only 45yrsold,
I found a 14" X 6.5" Ford wheel off of a later model LTD that fit on my brakes. I used it as a spare tire rim.
You can have disk brakes with non power if that is what you want. You get the the master that is disc/drum. Like Mid-late 60's Mustang with disc front no power. It should have the valves in it already for that combo.
I had that set up in my 64 and it was fine.
If you get a wilwood master it won't residual valves so you usually add a prop valve and add the 2# front 10# rear.
On my 57 Hard top.
For power disc I read on here to get the large bore disc/ drum stock 80's Mustang Gt master. I'm using that with my stock original power set up. And it lock up and everything but pedal feels low. The only thing I haven't tried is add and adjustable pushrod.
On one the end of it. You will be told to add combination valve. It brass valve
Sometimes this valve has the residuals built into it. It also has a sensor so it supposed to either lock out front or rear if one brakes fail.
All of this is up for discussion by all the hotrodder brake aficionados. :deadhorse:
I have a wagon with All drums and stock master. Daily drive in LA Traffic with no issues. Up hills. And on road trips.
You DONT absolutely need disc brakes to drive safer. You just need to drive safer. If your brakes don't fail, something else will fail, it's all about maintenance and knowing your car.
Saw these wheels on eBay, not sure they will fit but the inside profile seems identical to the rim I have, I can send you pics of mine if you are interested. I am using a master from a manual disc brake Galaxie.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166648644137?itmmeta=01HS6PAGPKEH2REBCCTGTDK9R5&hash=item26cd088229:g:1SEAAOSwLy9l87z0&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwIwg%2BJM8xsNBwlW4TfRkEIqfYh86i8nBL7jk7KsZfLurtHC5ftMFWZoktiLbDHRKU865Hy5SquMloFvqHM1CmsOf5ExMOwMmPrSiuMnQeR89pCmFy08326pwccj17ZLmiSHal0zSAej2XlHekyvJb72J5Xm0jiH0dTVDkur8DwduFu0eg9pDmFzhTrOUQExTczRSNsO2pc%2BE3ftokIc5vZQ9XlT4yXT2AfJV6NwXSZ7S%2BYK8GY65%2FVskSkh95rUanw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR96LqtbJYw
ok guys, times up, thanks for all of the suggestions, advise, time, now all I have to do is make up my mind, I'll print all of the posts so we don't go thru this again, athanks jerry
Considering the scarcity of new 14" tires,unless you want to spend big $$$ on Cokers, or something similar, as well as finding GOOD 14" wheels, I chose to go with 15" stock looking steel wheels. I bought new Series 62 steel wheels from Wheel Vintiques, that look stock, and accept my factory dog dish hub caps. Trying to find straight, non rusty original wheels can be a challenge, and the older drum brake wheels typically do not have the raised safety beads that should be used with radial tires. Plus the Wheel Vintique wheels are available is several different widths, in case you want to run wide tires. On my 59, I have 15x6" on the front, with 215/70R15 BFG radials, and 15x8 with 275/60R15 BFG`s on the rear. Between the wider wheel and tires, plus the radial construction, my 59 handles much better than it did before.
update, I guess I'm not done, after all of the help, decided to have someone do it for me, I belong to a club called the Roam N Chariots in Southgate mi, has a member that has a repair shop, told him what I wanted & he would check on it for me, ok, he found a package from Summit, has everything, booster MC the works, EXCEPT, won't take standard 14" ford wheels,. ok, I've got good tires, 14", & dona't want to change them, so, what 14" wheels out there will fit a 1957 fairlane ford ?, that arn't that hard to find, getting close to saying the heck with it, Jerry
tired of posting 57, heres my other car
Quote from: geraldchainsaw on 2024-03-22 10:47update, I guess I'm not done, after all of the help, decided to have someone do it for me, I belong to a club called the Roam N Chariots in Southgate mi, has a member that has a repair shop, told him what I wanted & he would check on it for me, ok, he found a package from Summit, has everything, booster MC the works, EXCEPT, won't take standard 14" ford wheels,. ok, I've got good tires, 14", & dona't want to change them, so, what 14" wheels out there will fit a 1957 fairlane ford ?, that arn't that hard to find, getting close to saying the heck with it, Jerry
You might get lucky with a Granada 14" wheel. The kit must use a larger than stock caliper/rotor so the extra clearance is needed.
I did this disc brake swap years ago and used late 60's Torino spindles. All the brake hardware is available at any auto parts store. My Custom handles and steers the same as with the stock drums and has much less brake fade on steep grades.
Nice Mustang! I have one a year newer.
tired of posting 57, heres my other car
Considering many Fords came from the factory with disc brakes and 14" wheels. depending on what brake setup you use, maybe any of those wheels should fit. I have owned 5 69-70 Mustang Mach 1s, that all had disc brakes and 5 lug 14" wheels from the factory, as did Grandas, Fairlane/Torinos, some Mavericks, Ranger PU trucks, many full sized Fords etc. Guess you won`t know unless you try. You could always pull the wheels off your 69 Mach 1 and see how they fit. I have never tried any 14" wheels on my 59 with Wilwood disc brakes, so I have no idea if any factory 14" wheels would fit with them. But with some of the aftermarket front disc brake kits that I have seen, with some using fabricated caliper brackets and GM calipers, what may fit on one kit, may not fit on another.
I have a 6.5" X 14" Ford wheel that fits on my Wilwood front brakes. The '57 wheels will not fit. The wheel came off of a later '70s small LTD. You should be able to buy used OEM wheels. Here is a link I posted earlier to wheels that I am pretty sure will fit.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166648644137?itmmeta=01HS6PAGPKEH2REBCCTGTDK9R5&hash=item26cd088229:g:1SEAAOSwLy9l87z0&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwIwg%2BJM8xsNBwlW4TfRkEIqfYh86i8nBL7jk7KsZfLurtHC5ftMFWZoktiLbDHRKU865Hy5SquMloFvqHM1CmsOf5ExMOwMmPrSiuMnQeR89pCmFy08326pwccj17ZLmiSHal0zSAej2XlHekyvJb72J5Xm0jiH0dTVDkur8DwduFu0eg9pDmFzhTrOUQExTczRSNsO2pc%2BE3ftokIc5vZQ9XlT4yXT2AfJV6NwXSZ7S%2BYK8GY65%2FVskSkh95rUanw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR96LqtbJYw
I have a pair of '69 Mach I wheels if you want them.
The shape of the inner rim is what is important. The wheel should be very open....
The wheels you need need are from late 79- early 80's Granada maybe Fairmont with 14". The hole center will be larger.
Btw. Even with someone doing the service for you. Just make sure you recall how the breaking feels currently and the pedal highs and lows.
Make sure you are happy how the pedal feels.
I think most people that do the conversion just "live with it" as long as it stops.
Quote from: geraldchainsaw on 2024-03-22 10:47tired of posting 57, heres my other car
I have one of those too!
OH...Coker Tires also sells wheels...and I believe they do modifications...so maybe they can help you out.
ok, I have enough info, time to make up my mind, thanks guys
1 more time, going to go another way, keep the drums, go with the booaster an double MC, will call up my rrepair shop & see what he can do,
Others have doe this, and say it works fine. Enjoy the thing! :003:
X2!!!