getting ready to start ordering parts to get my project moving. want to convert the front brakes to disc and go with a dual master cylinder. all the conversions kits i see for disc convert to a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. anyone know of a kit that will convert it to rotors using 5 on 4.75 ?? i have several sets of rims in the 4.75 olt pattern already. or is the only way to run 4.75 wheels going to be by using adapters (which i am trying to avoid).
No Problem Speedway motors has a compleat kit,works like a champ. Do you want to mount the master on the firewall,or keep it under the floor?
transmission is a three on the tree, i would like to keep it on the floor and dont really want a power booster either but that seems to be the only thing i can find. this is all new to me, i just need to learn where to look but the help i get here is great.
I used disc from speedway on my '41. Couple of things to note. Track will be wider causing a bit more effort turning and depending on the disc supplied, you may have trouble finding wheels that fit over the disc hub, have correct bolt pattern and that will use the hubcap (if used) you want. On mine the only stock rim I can find that fit the lug pattern and center hub are 80's Ford Bronco 4 W/D(out of production).Mopars will fit but won't except a Ford cap. Watch the fender clearance while turning(wider track). Mine have been on for about 15 yrs with no trouble, used with both stock rear brakes and newer 9".
As far as your master cylinder goes, several companies make a small triangular M/C adaptor that bolts on to your stock pedal ***embly and allows the use of a later style two bolt Master. I'm pretty sure speedway offers them, but I know Pete and Jakes does as well as So-Cal. I would suggest an early seventies Ford Maverick disc/drum master cylinder with this deal. It has a risidual check valve in the rear chamber for the drum brakes on the rear and none on the front for your discs. You might have to add a 2lbs front residual into the mix, but I personally wouldn't until I determined it was nessesary.
If you do the disc swap with late Ford pattern, (5 on 4-1/2") and want a wheel that fits and uses early Ford caps, find some early-to-late '50 International pickup 15" wheels. This seems to be a well-kept secret... They are 1/2" wider than '48 Mercs, (also Ford pickup) with the outside rim being 'wider' (looks like slight positive offset) These wheels are just like the Fords, but with 4-1/2" pattern. The aftermarket wheel companies also have 'dual-pattern' wheels (Ford & Chev) that take the internal-mounted Ford caps, but they're $60+ last time I checked....and they have that 'goodguise-solids' look. (Yuk)
With the Speedway kit, all you do is specify which bolt pattern you want. I noticed on my 40 pickup and 1/2 wider stance, but no difference in steering. If I kept the M/C under the floor, I would have done a remote fill. On my 41 Plymouth, I used a kit from Brake Tech solutions. They machined the spindles, and ***embled then they sent my spindles back. I also used a ECI bellcrank since the pedal ratio changed with the new Corvette M/C...
Your Brake kit is here: http://ecihotrodbrakes.com/early_ford_discbrake_conversions.html Ralph is on here and knows his stuff!
Note: This caliper bracket bolts to 3 holes of the spindle which doesn't work with bolt-on steering arms which are sometimes used with dropped axles. There's a round caliper bracket that bolts to all 4 bolt holes that works with bolt-on steering arms.
I wanted to run the stock wheels on my '47 and it really won't work without spacers, so I'm still running drums. But on the brake master, if you want to run it under the floor and still be able to check it through the floor you need to get it out from under the floor brace. I have an adapter from CE (AS2022), but it doesn't push the master back enough to clear the brace and you'll need to cut a pocket into the frame for the ear of the adapter/master. So I made my own (You can use a different master for disc): http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367059
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