Has anyone done the Granada brake converison? All info on this would be great.
Yes I did... see my post and pictures on this site.
Patrick Dallas TX :unitedstates:
I will look for your post.
thanks
its way easier to use disk brakes from a 1973 to 1977 torino or 77 to 79 cougar or ltd11.they are a bolt on.apparently to use the granada spindles you have to retaper the lower ball joint and tie rod holes. that is what i have been told anyhow. i just did the 77 cougar swap on mine ind it was a straight bolt on.i think the drop is about the same.len
Go into the posts, history on this topic. It's well documented
sorry to make you repeat yourself len but are you saying that 77 to 79 cougar or ltd spindles, calipers, everything will bolt onto my 57 ranchwagon? thank you for your time.
Dave, I have the torino spindles on mine and I had to ream the BJ tapers, Mark
Dave, my answer also is not a direct answer to your question. Which spindles you use depends on what you are after. Are you wanting to lower your car as well, or just add the disc brakes? If you are after just discs with no lowering, kits are available for use with the stock spindles. I can't speak about other spindles other than what I used, which was the Granada spindles with the disc setup from drop-n-stop. It is a bolt-on kit.They do lower the car about 2-2 1/2", so they cannot be used in conjunction with lowering springs. Also with the granada discs at least, the stock 14" wheels cannot be used.
I'm sorry I should have been a little more clear in my question, you all will have to excuse me I'm new to this and not used to having people that can answer my questions so I get a little excited. I'm not looking to lower the car I'm just looking for disc brakes, I would love to find factory ford stuff instead of aftermarket because then I could go to any auto parts store to get parts. I have looked at a few different aftermarket setups and they are nice. Thank you all for your input
On my last Custom, I used the Granada brakes and a pair of Lincoln Towncar (5.0 sbf) coil springs with 1.5 coils removed. Achieved 4-5 inches of drop and looked good I thought. Front end alignment was good, drove great, and most importantly to me, didn't bottom. I used Lakewood 90/10 shocks and no swaybar. Wouldn't corner, but worked well on the track and ok in general street driving. IN retrospect, I may not have cut the springs, just used the Granada spindles...we'll see this time around.
here is what it looked like with Granada brakes and the chopped Lincoln springs..
i'm probly late for this changing to disk brakes, but i'll ask any way, do u have to change the master cyl or can u use the orig, thanks jerry
sorry guys, i thought i posted but i don't c it, my orig question was, in stalling disk brakes, do u have to change the master cyl?, i asume we;re talking front disk brakes?, and question to Rich Muise, who has these conversion kits that will take the orig spindels?, thanks jerry
Gerry, it is strongly recommended that you swap the master out at that time to a dual master. Power or non power is OK. There are more and more conversion kits showing up that use the stock spindles, the one I know of is scarebird. Hope that helps, Mark
Regarding using the Lincoln springs does anyone know what the spring rate is? I'm looking for something heavier then the originals.
sorry guys, getting old, what is a good replacement for the orig master cyl to a dual master cly?, for disk conversion?, thanks jerry
Gerry, I assume you are converting the Fairlane convertable? Keep in mind you will be taking it a good way away from stock. Not trying to tell you what to do, but that car looks pretty original. I saw a ebay add from old Irish Dave , he says he is only doing Ford stuff now. That's a good place to start. He had a power dual master setup, if you want a more stock look maybe a granada master. Mark
thanks Mark, all the info i'm getting is for possible future conversion, your right about being stock, and thats my thinking right now, but i make up a info book on things that might get done in the future, jerry
Just to rehash Granada spindle swap some more. I just sold a member a set of Granada spindles. He shared with me that the spindles were 77-79 Thunderbird. The 'Granada style' spindles were used for several applications with several upgrades. Even though the style is the same, all parts may not interchange over the entire life cycle of 'Granada style' disc brakes. One example is Granada 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder disc brakes. As a 'heads up', when ordering parts for Granada style brakes from an unknown donor, compare the original part number to the replacement part. As with any Ford or other OEM, upgrades can happen without warning...even mid year.
Good to know..thanks for the info. Ha...Reminds me to start making a "build book" for my car so when my memory completly goes I can read up to find out what the heck I built the car with.
ok, so which disc brake swap to you not have to machine the spindles? Direct bolt on. Meaning I can take all my old stuff off and put the new stuff on with only minor take care of problems in my non-machine shop garage. Is there just a straight up list of all the parts I need to? So I can just go straight to NAPA and get it?
Quote from: gasman826 on 2014-03-30 09:16
Just to rehash Granada spindle swap some more. I just sold a member a set of Granada spindles. He shared with me that the spindles were 77-79 Thunderbird. The 'Granada style' spindles were used for several applications with several upgrades. Even though the style is the same, all parts may not interchange over the entire life cycle of 'Granada style' disc brakes. One example is Granada 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder disc brakes. As a 'heads up', when ordering parts for Granada style brakes from an unknown donor, compare the original part number to the replacement part. As with any Ford or other OEM, upgrades can happen without warning...even mid year.
I had a set of torino spindles that had different bearing sizes, turns out my brother removed them from a similar mercury, a montego or something. They had two different bearing sizes for V8 and sixes. I unraveled the mystery using autozones website
Since I stirred this up, I will step out on a limb. Anytime something is said about Ford parts, there is always an exception. There are NO absolutes with Ford parts!!!!!!!!! Usually, one can order parts based on make and model. In the cases where the donor vehicle is unknown, compare the part numbers. In this case, the question is the inner wheel bearing. Parts suppliers have part number interchange catalogs for wheel bearings, bearing cups and wheel seals. Once the interchange numbers are confirmed, update your build sheets with year, make, and model of the donor car your 'Granada style' spindles originated.
The 6 cylinder rotors are smaller. I casually call them 9" but the actual measurement is just over 9". The 8 cylinder ones I call 10" but measure just over. I have never used the 9" ones.
There is no machining required on the 'Granada style' spindles. Some models require the lower ball joint or tie rod end be reamed. This reaming is minimal and performed by hand. I have done several swaps (usually from unknown donors) and have NOT needed to ream the lower ball joint. About 50/50 have needed the outer tie rod end reamed (my guess is the '77-'79 T-Bird/LTDII tie rod ends do NOT require reaming). Even if the tie rod end needs to be reamed, it is NOT necessary. If unreamed, the castle nut will not line up with the hole to place the cotter key. The tie rod end threads will be fully engaged. Since imports have not used cotter key for years as well as domestic late models, I use lock nuts and/or thread locker (Loctite) with no issues. If one wants to be more traditional, the tapered ream is available from Speedway Motors for about $80.00 (do NOT use the ream in a power tool).
I recommend aftermarket brake hoses. OEM hoses are straight off the caliper. Stainless lines with 90 degree end will clear better. The banjo adapters are available but the specific bolt thread is less common (7/16-24??). Several years ago I sourced the bolts through my Harley dealer. Now they are available from higher end auto suppliers. I think Rich has pictures.
All this being said, I would not hesitate to locate 'Granada style' spindles for the next '57-'64 disc brake swap. It's hard to beat the brake quality, OEM quality parts, OEM and aftermarket parts availability, and the look and feel for the money. If the 10" rotors aren't big enough, the big Ford and Lincoln (11") rotors will fit!
It has been more than five years since the last swap and I hope I've left nothing out...I'm relying on an assist!!!!!!!