Is there another caliper choice for the "lincoln versye"79 vintage besides the stock one with built in e-brakes? They're a $100 apeice without a core! Also, how about rotors already drilled for chevy, 4.75? I thought maybe somebody out here in HAMBland might have this all figured.
I was told fronts from the same verailles would work. I chickened out and bought the new replacement after talk of rod inspections and mandatory working e-brake. The other options were bolt on speedway kits, but it gets more expensive. As far as the 4.75 rotors, probably easier to re drill...you can do the axles at the same time if you havent.
Try the 11" "hat rotor" Ford Explorer rear brakes,...they're a current production item, easy to hook up the parking (emer) brake, and parts are easy to get. The one I'm using is from a 2000 2wd Explorer, but i'm sure others would work. I keep hearing the Versaille brake items aren't all that great, out of production, and pricey if you find 'em.... 4TTRUK
Ps; To clarify..... My thought is to use the complete Explorer brake assembly, not just the caliper. I hope that helps...... 4TTRUK
I've thought about this, but....I'd have to start over, pull the axles, press the bearings off.... What is the hat rotor? E-brake inside? 40ford-- I was thinking maybe a e-brake on the third member. Haven't priced em yet. Its a auto so I can get by for a while.I'll check on that front brake stuff. Thanks
odds are if you buy them ,and bring back the "cores" the next day or two..the ding dong behind the counter wont even look at the caliper you put in there... the manager at a parts store i buy , told me straight up the cores go into a big barrel, all they want is a caliper to get back.....may or may not work in your case though...
tod, its a pia... you are correct..you do have to press off the bearings to get rid of those heavy brackets.. I have converted several of them for our dirt track stock cars ( and a few for the street ) I would recommend the explorer parts that 40 ford says.. 2 things to deal with to make this work... 1st is the bearing retainer plate (replaces the big caliper bracket) and they are available from mark williams. Order the ones shaped like a horseshoe (open on one end ) Then all you need is to press on the bearing, slide the axle in place and drop the plate over the axle ! 2nd thing, the explorer caliper mount may need the 4 bolt holes enlarged or slotted to match your housing ends...no big deal. Good luck Dave ps....you should be able to get all the parts at the auto wreckers for about $125...
Versailles (Ver-sigh) as in Lincoln's version of the Ford Fairmont/Mercury Zephyr with 9-inch disc brake rearend and King Louis 14th's palace in France. SOme years back our source told me the discs for the Versailles 9-er were in short supply, something like 32 right ones and 96 left ones, and were to be discontinued. Good news that they are back in production. You may now go out and yank all those rears from all those junk Versailles without fear of having brake parts problems.
OK, what years are we talking on the exploders. I'll start checking some yards tommorrow. Thanks again.
I've been reading up on the explorer kit and it seems that you need the big bearing-small bolt type ends. Naturally, I have the big bolts! DL mentioned enlarging the retainer holes. Is this what you were refering to? Everything I'm reading says replace the ends. Its looking like a toss-up on which is least exspensive/more desireable. ANY info you have on this is really appreciated, thanks.
I convert the Versailles rear ends to drum brakes using 10" or 11" backing plates and drums. I press off the axle retainer/caliper bracket, and use an aftermarket "U" shaped axle retainer.
"Hat rotor" is the one with a small "brake drum" for the shoe type parking / emer brake. The 2000 2wd "Exploder" is the ones i know about,...but I'm sure Ford didn't change a lot of things, before using them on a lot of years. I've never used the 3rd member type parking brake,...but one reason I'm partial to the "hat rotor" type is that it will easily stop a vehicle. My 2000 F150 came with the same rear end and brakes, which performed perfectly when I tried out the 'emer" brake function. 4TTRUK
What setup do you use for this? I have a 9" from a Versailles in now that needs this done to it. Any help would save me a bunch of time. Thanks in advance.
Big bearing rear ends with 1/2" bolt holes will bolt right up to the Versailles rear end. look for something from a mid 70's mid size like an Elite, Torino or Cougar as they will have the correct bolt pattern drums.
OK, for anyone interested in this plan... I tried it. Seems to go together fine, BUT, you have to buy two sets of pads. You use two of the front pads on the outside/caliper, two of the rear pads for the inside/caliper bracket. Then, toss the unused four perfectly good pads in the trash! Still, its pretty reasonable.
Can you guys post some pics of how this setup looks, I'm using the Versaille rear with the 1999 Ford explorer bracket, calipers and discs. Thanks Pichigui
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