I have some money to spend on 1962 galaxie, which is a decently reliable driver currently. I want to get rid of the single master cylinder and put disc's on the front. I know there are several junkyard routes to take but due to a 55+ hour work week and child custody when I'm not at work I think a kit would be better for me than parts scrounging. Has anybody used a dropnstop kit with the drop spindles? This kit looks most attractive to me right now due to having everything I need in one place shipped to my door. Thanks for the replies and any info offered. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I don't know anything about the dropnstop kit, but you might want to at least look at Scarebird's disc conversion kit: https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=65&product_id=88 I know several guys have had luck with his products plus he's a HAMB member. It's not a one-stop kit like the other would be, but the remaining parts are easily obtainable from RockAuto without having to scrounge through junkyards. Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for the 2cents. I've looked at the scare bird kit and have heard good things also. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I'm not 100% on this, but I did hear that mid-late 1970s spindles and brakes from mid-sized Cougars, Montegos, Torinos are popular to swap into earlier full size Fords. It's like the popular Grenada swap, only bigger.
While the guys here are some of the smartest Ive run across, go to fordmuscle.com and click on the Galaxie forum. They know everything Galaxie.
I think something like the '78 LTD was a drop in for all intents and purposes. Been a while since I did one on my '64 and everything came out of the 'yard. I did have to mount a brake light switch on the pedal though. Bob
Decision-tree time. IF you want to run 14in wheels, your only option I think is the '70s Torino brakes. Typically '74-78 LTD II/Thunderbird. They're small for a 4000+ lb car but they do fit. They will NOT fit the stock wheels, but they will fit later 14in wheels. IF you can run 15in wheels (or 16in, or 17in, with Crown Vic P71 tire sizes 225/60-16 or 235/55-17), you have a couple choices - the Scarebird pieces or later Galaxie hardware. '67 was a four-piston setup which is probably the best of the bunch but comparatively rare and more expensive to service, '68 and '69 were one-year-only parts combinations, '70-72 the easiest to find and cheapest to source parts for, plus the spindle snout is bigger and stronger. The steering arm is thicker on the later spindles, the tie-rod taper on the earlier ball joints is too short, you'll need to do a little research on how to handle this as it's not right in my brain right now. Or Scarebird, which uses a bunch of GM parts, and I haven't used it myself but haven't heard anything bad about his stuff. Or you could go overboard like me with Porsche Cayenne 6-piston stuff, but that's not really HAMB-compliant.
Thanks for all the replies guys! I'll have to do some research as far as what master cylinder to use but I think I'm gonna go with the scarebird kit. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Ford master cylinders had the same mounting holes for decades so you have a lot to choose from. You want a manual disc/drum master cylinder unless you're going with power brakes. The MC should be matched to the type of front calipers you get. Just remember when you swap to discs that you need a residual valve for the rear brakes (some MCs have them built in) and either a manual proportioning valve or a Ford combination valve.
As I think has been noted above, there's a fair amount of experience with the Scarebird kits over at fordmuscle. I haven't used his stuff, but I wouldn't be afraid to do so. Given a lot of what's out there in the budget brake conversion business that's a pretty high hurdle to clear.
When I scavenged disc set ups out of the 'yard, I'd grab as much as possible from the donor car. For buying a master etc, match up something with the approximate weight as your car so it will tend to work out better for you. Bob
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