Disk brake conversion

Sid

Sid

Well-known member
Does anyone know what rotors and calipers are desired for a full size 61 Ford disc brake conversion? I will be parting a 66 T-Bird and wondering if these parts are compatible? Will the spindles need to be changed or can everything be transferred from the Bird to the Starliner?
 
Don't think they are a direct swap into the passenger line. I do know they are a direct bolt in for 61 - 64 Birds. The 65 & 66 Birds had 15" wheels to clear the calipers. 67 and up are a completely different story.....
 
Look up a Scarebird conversion. He mainly sells the brackets, but does some full kits. He does give a list of everything you'll need.
 
X2 on scarebird. They're in Wa., up by Everett so shipping won't be high, and you can source most parts locally. Two things I've experienced on anyone's conversions. First, that the wheels clear the calipers as mentioned above. Second some conversions move the front wheels out a bit. Depending on the wheel/tire combo they can get tight on the fender lip in a fast corner.
 
Sid said:
Thanks for that info. Will be running 15"x7" american mags @ 3.75 offset
Click to expand...

I don't recall the name of the conversion kit.but I installed a disc brake on my 63 Galaxie.We had to grind a little bit on the original spindles.I used 17X7 on the front and 17X8 American torque thrusts on the rear.The kit came with A dual master cylinder,brake booster,and proportioning valve.
 
I used an off brand kit on my Ford, had to do a lot of work to get it to work right. I suppose it did send the tires out a bit and I'm not able to lower the front as much as I'd like. Wilwood makes a great looking kit, but expen$ive.
 
Spindles from a '61-4 (drum brakes) and '65-'66 (disc brakes) T-bird will not work on a '60-'64 Ford. Look into a disc brake conversion for '58-'60 T-birds, which used same spindles as '57-'64 full-size Fords.

You'd be better off to sell the T-bird disc brake setup to a restorer and put the money towards a more-compatible setup. The 4-piston Kelsey-Hayes brake calipers were also used on '67 T-birds, '65-'66 Fords and '65-'66 Mustangs, but require a unique wheel with deep offset and interior dimensions to clear the calipers.

I don't know if inner/outer bearings from the T-bird disc hubs will fit on full-size spindles, but would like to know what inner diameters are for reference.
 
Great info. I was just hoping as I just got a 66 T-Bird 428 car for parts. I was hoping I scored twice with the disc brakes.
 
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