1952-59 Ford Disk Brake

Does anyone have a list for the disk brakes ? Years and makes an models that will fit the 50s mercurys and fords I think it would help all who has a 50s car.Thanks.

 

What year 50's? 53 and older in the US is much different than 54 and newer. Canadian and Aussie built is one year later for the change to ball joint suspension.

 

Would like to know what parts will fit a 54 mercury. make an model an years like Granada, Lincoln, Thunderbird, Mustang. Need a list ,Please.... some might be cheaper than others.

 

I believe it is '75-'80 Granadas will fit '54-'56 cars. Don't know the others.

 

The Granadas will also fit 57-59 Fords You need to taper ream one hole.

 

The '71-'73 Mustang disc brake uprights - steering knuckles - will do the trick. The lower balljoint hole will need to be reamed to the "big pin" size of the older vehicle - and the tie rod ends differ as well. Not difficult to deal with. These spindles are stronger than the earlier Mustangs - like a so-called "mid-size" car of the era. Due to the demand factor - the Granada/Monarch knuckles are usually more expensive than the Mustang parts.


The lathe center used to turn the spindle will be above the lower balljoint mount - also used on v8 Mavericks and Comets. It's this raised location for the spindle that lowers the car.

 

72 LTD front discs will fit 56's with no modifications.
98 Blazer will fit the rear, come with disc brakes and are four inches narrower than stock. giving you lots of room to change flat tires. You will need a wheel with only 2½ inches of backspacing.

 

Any Lincoln Versallis spindle will fit if you can find them. Straight bolt on, no mods.

 

Oh where, oh where, can the Versailles be. Man they are hard to find!! This Disc Brake stuff is HIGH.....

 

I ended up finding one on Craigslist for $800 bucks and bought the whole car. Ended up using the rear end and c-4 trans also.

 

what do us guys with 53 Mercs do.?? thanks

 

Sell it and buy something better... Like a che... Oh hell, I can't even finish that sentence. Wish I could help with the 53, but I'm not sure what they use.

 

didn't want to lower my 56 so went with a ScareBird kit and recommended parts. Installation was easy and works great.
TC

 

There are a couple guys on ebay that sell brackets and complete kits to allow you to use Lincoln rotors and a Chevy truck calipers and mount them to the stock spindles.

Here's a full kit for a 54-56 car

Here is just the brackets

Full kit for the 49-53 cars with kinkpin spindles

Brackets only for 49-53 cars

I'm probably going the Scarebird bracket route like Tom Compton mentioned above (same as the ebay bracket links I posted), since you can get cheap rotors, calipers, and pads for this set-up for dirt cheap at any auto parts store or even a wrecking yard.

 

Here is a list of parts and some numbers for a disc brake conversion for 55 to 57 T-birds and 54 to 56 Fords .

55 - 57 FORD THUNDERBIRD & 54 – 56 FORD,MERCURY FB3FRONT DISC BRAKE KIT PARTS LIST​

QTY DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER APPLICATION

1 CALIPER BRACKET LH
1 CALIPER BRACKET RH
2 SPINDLE BRACKET
2 BEARING SPACER
2 3/8 X 1 ½ GR 8 HHB
6 3/8 X 2 GR 8 HHB
2 3/8 HEX NUT
8 3/8 LOCK WASHER
2 1/2 X 2 1/4 GR 8 HHB
2 1/2 X 2 1/2 GR 8 HHB
4 1/2 HEX NUT
4 1/2 LOCK WASHER
2 * BRAKE ROTOR NAPA # 85564 (78 GRANADA)
2 * GREASE SEAL NAPA # 19221 (78 GRANADA)
2 * INNER BEARING NAPA # PBR13 (78 GRANADA)
2 * OUTER BEARING NAPA # PBR2 (64 GALAXIE)
2 * DUST CAP NAPA # 730-2436 (78 GRANADA)
1 * LH CALIPER NAPA # 242-2032 (80 MONTE CARLO)
1 * RH CALIPER NAPA # 242-2033 (80 MONTE CARLO)
4 * CALIPER BOLT NAPA # 82205 (80 MONTE CARLO)
1 * BRAKE PADS NAPA #TS-7070A-M (80 MONTE CARLO)
2 * BRAKE HOSE NAPA # 4136847 (80 MONTE CARLO)
CARQUEST #SBH 1015 (77-78 CAMARO)
2 * BANJO BOLT NAPA # 82743 (80 MONTE CARLO)
* NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET KIT

SUGGESTED OPTIONAL PARTS NOT SUPPLIED IN KIT, OTHERS CAN BE
USED.

1 PROPORTIONING VALVE SPEEDWAY MOTORS # 910-31355
1 DUAL MASTER CYLINDER SPEEDWAY MOTORS # 910-31420
1 BRAKE BOOSTER M/C COMBO SPEEDWAY MOTORS # 910-31410



Jim

 

Hey Jim, just wondering where you got this parts list. I started looking up part numbers and Napa doesn't have all of these online. I'm sure I could go into the store and figure something out, but was just curious. I just got Granada spindles and should be ready to start buying parts little by little. Thanks!

Rocky

 

Rocky ,
I got that list from another forum years ago so I have no idea if the numbers are still good or not . They do change the numbers around a lot so who knows . The parts are the same so I would look them up that way .
When using a Ford spindle I would use the Ford caliber .

The GM parts and numbers might be for a rear disc conversion from the looks of that list .

Jim

 

If someone wants them, I have a set of 70 mustang spindles. Machined for a 1 1/2"drop for 54-56 ford or 55-57 T bird. They are cleaned and painted, they have caliper brackets and bolts, backing plates and retainers and I also have 2 brand new rotors for this set up. $350 plus shipping. You can contact me at daverace@sbcglobal.net

 

Thanks Jim. I'm gonna stick with all the ford parts I can. Thinking about going with a brake booster too, since I want this to be a daily driver someday....

Rocky

 

I picked up a nice complete power disc brake set up with the proportional valve and all . I am hoping to use it on my 55 .
Just remember when you upgrade the master cylinder , get the one for disc/drum and a proportional valve . You will need the valve too . Most do use the GM master cylinder but you can use a Ford as well .

Jim

 

if i were to install disc brake set for my 52 customline would i have to put a dual master and proportioning valve? only looking into this cuz i just bought a motor from my friend a 383 with 500hp sounds nuts but i wont be taking it to the track its for fun...lol

 

"if i were to install disc brake set for my 52 customline would i have to put a dual master and proportioning valve? only looking into this cuz i just bought a motor from my friend a 383 with 500hp sounds nuts but i wont be taking it to the track its for fun...lol"

Yep, disc and drum brakes work on different pressures.

I may put a Y Block in this 39 Chebbie just to add some cl***.

 

Timbo from Mempho what year of Lincoln Versallis will work

 

I'm going to chime in on this.I just auired a set of maverick spindles with 11 inch rotors , I'm looking for the drop on my 55 customline and the added safety of disks. I have very little machining skill I'm still in machining introduction at the local applied college.is there any walk through or tech articles on machining the spindles?
Thanks Troy

 

Jamco sells a disc brake and ball joint conversion for 52-53 Fords and Mercs