62 Tbird disc brake options .

[chimp koose]

I know I asked this long ago but what options does one have for putting disc brakes on a 62 T bird ? A buddy of mine was talking about re doing the front end on his bird and I suggested we look into a disc  brake swap while at it as some of the parts may be different if he went to disc . Anyone ? Is there some Ford interchange ? He has the jam jar master cyl now and that will have to change .

[chris spokes]

Speedway Have this just did a google search https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/ford-thunderbird-speedway-disc-brake-conversion-kits~8289-54-699-10191-4435?srsltid=AfmBOoqIbSXqFA6FvoQDy2W1bK6XEL8q-CZUwlBinBHV5Xrcd7GtV1_p

[chimp koose]

that one is for 54 to 56 . I am looking for 62 . Thanks for looking though

[kb426]

I ran across this: I'm surprised John didn't suggest what he did with that Black beauty. It's the easiest conversion - '65-'66 spindles, rotors, hubs, shields. Direct bolt on. John also changed the lower control arms, but it's not necessary. You just have to make simple mods to the stops. I did that conversion on a '63 I sold. I also played around with different GM conversions, and newer Ford front discs, by fabrication of caliper mounts.
Like all conversions, you'll need to change your master cylinder, and you'll need a proportioning valve. You may want to use one of the booster/master kits available. You'll also have to change your wheels. The 4 piston calipers are quite large, and finding 15" wheels that fit may be difficult. 16" & 17" wheels with the right specs will work. Ask John for the specs.
I found that the GM conversions are much better than the drums, but not nearly as good as the '65-'66 conversion.
Top After this post, it was stated that the Ford conversions worked better than GM calipers. I had read that there were adapters for Granada calipers. I didn't research that. I had adapted Granada parts on the 53 Chevy pickup I did in the 2000's but it wasn't a high performance unit. It worked well but I had adapted the entire Granada system from front to rear.

[chimp koose]

Thanks KB , Just need to find a 65 66 bird for parts.

[kb426]

I found some spindles on ebay but they may be cost prohibitive.

[chimp koose]

This guy just wants to get his car back in good reliable shape , not wanting to get spendy . I suggested the disc upgrade and said I would look into it .

[kb426]

This might be worth reading: https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=9622

[chimp koose]

Thanks for the link . Good bit of info there .    

[enjenjo]

If it helps, I have blank caliper brackets I had Laser cut a few years ago. They are basically a plate with a notch cut in them for a GM caliper. The caliper bolt holes are marked but not drilled.  If they will be of use I can send you a couple for the cost of shipping. They are 1/2" material but can be milled down as needed.  The bracket is designed for 11" rotors but can be trimmed to fit.

I would used the stock T bird hub and just remove the drum. There are a multitude of rotors that can be used on that hub, in the past I have used Ford Escape rotors which are about the same thickness as GM rotors But may not clear 14" wheels. S10 rotors will clear the wheels but have to be redrilled to the  4.5" bolt pattern.

[chimp koose]

Thanks for the offer . I will get in touch with my buddy and see what he thinks . Car has power drum with a jam jar master cyl if i remember correctly . Would we be able to get away with using an adjustable proportioning valve   for the back brakes

[enjenjo]

You can, but you should still use a combination valve to divide the front brakes from the rear, otherwise a failure in the  front will disable the brakes in the rear, and vise versa.

You should be able to use the original power booster with a dual master cylinder as long as you use a Ford power brake dual master cylinder.

[58 Yeoman]

Hmmm. The original engineers worked out all the problems with drum brakes that seemed to work well for years. All he wants to do is get it back on the road?  Why reinvent the wheel?  My 58 Chevy and 63.5 Ford both stopped fine with drum brakes and I didn't have to worry about getting things to work together, they already did.  Just my opinion.

[chimp koose]

Yes the brakes work ok , but since they  are  due for maintenance anyhow I thought it would be the best time to look into an upgrade. Front end will be torn apart and new brakes as it is so probably the best time for an upgrade if any .