Front brake conversion

Gezer

Gezer

Member
What success is out there on putting disc brakes on the front of a 40 Ford sedan? What is the kit to use? Not sure I want to spend the Wilwood price. Car has original brakes now and a 4inch drop axel
 
Speedway, but it more than just the kit . You'll need a new style master , residual valve , new pedal ( maybe )
 
We have installed a couple of the Speedway kits that use the F-150 rotors and GM calipers. This kit retains the 5 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern and does not move the wheel mount surface outward as do many other kits. Be aware that it does not work with aftermarket bolt on steering arms, and you should confirm your wheels fit around the calipers.

We have put many Speedway disc brake kits on various cars with no problems.

If you don't care to deal with Speedway; ECI sells the same kit.
 
Yes, I've used the speedway kit as well as the ECI kit. Which is the same as the speedway kit at twice the price. Upgrading to a modern master cylinder is a smart move usr the 73/4 Ford MC made for non power brakes.
 
if you have the round spindels put the ford pu front brakes same bolt pattern, can keep your master cyl & alot cheaper & you will be happy with the results they are larger than the lincoln shoes
 
Ol' Ron said:
Yes, I've used the speedway kit as well as the ECI kit. Which is the same as the speedway kit at twice the price. Upgrading to a modern master cylinder is a smart move usr the 73/4 Ford MC made for non power brakes.
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What model 73/4 Ford do you recommend.

TIA

Dave
 
As rich b hinted, watch your tire/fender clearance. Nostalgia Sid can bend your steering arms. If you are using the original Ford driveline check rear end fluid frequently to make sure it is not running down inside you torque tube due to the "rake" on your car. If it does, it will dissolve the rubber on your torque tube center bearing. There's a fellow in TX who makes a special seal to prevent this. Ask me how I know. Finding a new OEM bearing is almost impossible.
 

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The Ford Pickup in 73 had optional manual disk brakes. In 74 they became " Power" disk brakes. It was recommended to me to use the "Manual" MC. I did and they work fine. However. I now have "Manual" disks on all 4 wheels. The brakes work fine, but the pedal pressure is quite high. I can either change the MB or the Pads?? Not really impotent right now, But when other people drive the truck, they don't realize they have to push hard to stop. My Son and helper Rob, have no trouble locking them up.
 
I used the Magnum disc brakes on the front of my '40 coupe........very high quality parts. I also used a Mustang Boss 429/Ford MC......15/16 inch (vice 1 inch) bore for my non-power brakes.....higher pressure to the calipers. It was too tall to clear the floor board...had to section the cover so it would fit. If I do it again I will use the GM MC for better fit. Remember to us a proportioning valve and a residual valve.
 
Ol' Ron said:
The Ford Pickup in 73 had optional manual disk brakes. In 74 they became " Power" disk brakes. It was recommended to me to use the "Manual" MC. I did and they work fine. However. I now have "Manual" disks on all 4 wheels. The brakes work fine, but the pedal pressure is quite high. I can either change the MB or the Pads?? Not really impotent right now, But when other people drive the truck, they don't realize they have to push hard to stop. My Son and helper Rob, have no trouble locking them up.
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"not really impotent right now". Is that something we should know about? Funny stuff, Ol Ron
 
rich b makes a good point; some conversions on stock-width axles push the wheels out to the edge of the fenders. It's pretty goofy looking. An alternative to discs you might consider are the Lincoln Bendix-style drum brake kits on the market from outfits like Wilson Welding and Bolling Brothers.
 
JSeery said:
It would cause major heart failure, but it would be nice to have the HAMB setup, a lot of nice features.
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J.....Please be careful what you lust after. Lots of ol' geezers over here that would hate that change. The change is why I quit going over 'there'. DD
 
I've sold quite a few of the Pete & Jakes Super Stopper front brake kits with the 5.5 BP. Customers seem to like it as it's a bolt on and doesn't appear to move the wheel out like the ones with adapter bushings do?
 
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