1952-59 ford social group @ hamb-bone

[KULTULZ]

What I want is a direct take-off to retrofit a 55/57 FORD/BIRD.

These kits as offered have fabricated adapters to fit the calipers and a MC of unknown origin and usually is accompanied by the ever popular DIALING-FOR-BRAKE-ANTI BIAS VALVE.

Some have cheese cutter rotors. You even have one source stating that it comes with different size rear wheel cylinders to eliminate the need for a PPV.

A lot of stuff is being reproduced in CHINA and I don't want to go there.

I want to mount a direct factory take-off (1965-1967 KH SYSTEM - FORD *FAIRLANE-MUST* -MERC-LINC) including spindle and correct valving.

Finding a complete donor will be the problem.

Are the calipers in your kit rebuilt KH (FORD CASTING ID) or new castings?

 

[paul2748]

What you want probably does not exist

 

[KULTULZ]

What you want probably does not exist

What I want did and does exist. FORD-GM-MOPAR-AMC used the system. FORD replaced theirs with sliding calipers due to cost (1968).

Do you have any idea of what I am describing?

The idea of hanging CHI-COM repro on a street driven car does not impress me.

 

[5851a]

I had the 4 piston KH brakes on a 67 Galaxie. The calipers were massive, had special steel wheels to clear them and they were 15 inch. Also had a 67 Cyclone with the 4 piston KH, they were not as large, and a regular 14-inch rim fit. Don't know if they would swap over to Thunderbird. A person can rebuild calipers but is it even possible to buy a brake rotor made in the USA?

 

[dmsfrr]

What I want is a direct take-off to retrofit a 55/57 FORD/BIRD.

...

I can almost remember some of the early front disc brake conversions for '55/'57 T-Birds were done by swapping in the spindles and front brake hardware from mid-70's Granada / Monarch cars.
But the 'how-to' has faded from memory, or I'm completely mistaken.

 

[KULTULZ]

I had the 4 piston KH brakes on a 67 Galaxie. The calipers were massive, had special steel wheels to clear them and they were 15 inch. Also had a 67 Cyclone with the 4 piston KH, they were not as large, and a regular 14-inch rim fit.

Don't know if they would swap over to Thunderbird. A person can rebuild calipers but is it even possible to buy a brake rotor made in the USA?

You know what I am talking about ...

12" BIRD ROTOR on MUST -

 

[KULTULZ]

I can almost remember some of the early front disc brake conversions for '55/'57 T-Birds were done by swapping in the spindles and front brake hardware from mid-70's Granada / Monarch cars.

But the 'how-to' has faded from memory, or I'm completely mistaken.

Nah, you're OK.

The GRANADA SWAP was very popular but IMO left a lot to be desired. Parts are hard to come by now.

Most of your BIRD kits now are based on the KH SYSTEM.

 

[KULTULZ]

A person can rebuild calipers but is it even possible to buy a brake rotor made in the USA?

Well yes, but you would have to ask the seller directly where the part is sourced from and if he is mistaken or (GOD forbid) he tells a falsehood, what the return policy is before buying.

CENTRIC (STOP-TECH) is a class act IMO. All is manufactured in CHINA but it is better in quality than FORD and/or MOTORCRAFT. I just completely re-did my ESCAPE and I was amazed at the quality.

Now on a swap like being discussed here, I would try to find NOS or take-off calipers/MC/valving as I don't want some re-design.

CENTRIC offers the rotor hat only and you would keep the original hubs, so no worry there.

 

[paul2748]

The 75-80 Granada, Monarch and the Lincoln Versaille were the brakes people used to convert to discs. The disc is a single pad caliper design. These were used on the 54-56 sedans and the 55-57 Birds. Pretty easy swap but the Mercury and Granada spindles had to have the lower ball joint hole reamed because it was too small for the ball joint. Supposedly, the Versaille spindle didn't need this. I put a Granada set up on my 54. Good brakes - also put in a 9 inch rear with the later Tbird/truck brakes (wider). These cars are hard to find now a days.

I can almost remember some of the early front disc brake conversions for '55/'57 T-Birds were done by swapping in the spindles and front brake hardware from mid-70's Granada / Monarch cars.
But the 'how-to' has faded from memory, or I'm completely mistaken.

 

[KULTULZ]

You know what I am talking about ...

12" BIRD ROTOR on MUST -

AHA!

I see we are returning to THE OLDE DISAPPEARING ILL SYNDROME ...

PHOTO REINSERTED (NOTE- This example was overkill (IMO) as it was intended for racing but shows how it was done in the day)

I would consider this setup if one was not interested in finding old KH take-of parts -

- https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/BrakeKitsProdFront?itemno=140-13653

(I would use their foundation brake and adapter kit but be careful of valving).

Or the KH SWAP that allows the retention of the OEM SPINDLE (HILL'S is one vendor).