i want to put power disc brakes on the front of my 55 customline, what are y'all using? What is the best place to buy a kit?
Gearhead Cruiser Products makes a conversion kit with several options. They are pretty pricey though. I've heard of people using Lincoln brakes for the conversion. I have been looking into this " junkyard" option myself. I'll get the details and let you know.
I used front discs from a 72 LTD with a master cylinder with built in proportioning valve from CCP. $199 for the mc & about $100 or less for the discs (been a while, I don't remember the price), bolted right on. http://www.cl***icperform.com/NewProducts/MCPV-1/MCPV-1.htm
The Drop-n-stop kit is nothing but mid to late Ford Granada spindles and disc brakes, its a very easy conversion that you can without a kit. You will have to ream the bottom ball joint hole in the Granada spindles to fit the lower ball joint studs of the '55 suspension, this can be done by most machine shops for $30-$40. You can machine the spindle to drop the front end of the car during this process, it all depends on how much you machine out, the less you machine out the lower the car sits.
Mark , I would love to find some Granada spindles but all the salvage yards around here are modern . Anyone know where to get the Granada spindles or is there another year or model that will work on a 55 Ford ? Would love disc brakes but I can't afford the kits prices . Jim
If you can find them the Lincoln Versailles spindles are bolt on. You use your original ball joints. These also lower the front an inch or so. I bought a whole Versailles for $900.00 that also has a 9 inch rear end with disc. Later, Timbo
There's a couple guys on ebay that have disk kits and booster kits pieced together from granada parts and stuff for a decent price. No personal experience with them but these are who I'll probably get my stuff from when the time comes. Looks like all the parts you would be picking up from NAPA but all the research and machining is done for you. The sellers I've saved are Tomscl***ic and oldirishdave. Front disc brake kit... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-1954-1955-FORD-DISC-BRAKES-ALL-NEW-PARTS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf51c36b3QQitemZ330529781427QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_1128 Spindle/Bracket kit... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-GRANADA-SPINDLES-DISC-BRAKE-CONVERSIONS-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem51968cd72dQQitemZ350418163501QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_1145 Boosters... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-and-MERCURY-Cars-1952-53-54-55-1956-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35b0002359QQitemZ230586065753QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_866wt_902 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-ford-brake-booster-and-master-1955-1954-ford-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cea0b5e40QQitemZ330344128064QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_1145 Brake and booster kit... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-1954-1955-FORD-DISC-BRAKES-ALL-NEW-PARTS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf5151f0cQQitemZ330529316620QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_596wt_1128
i know where there a whole granada here . guy priced for 300 . and have to have it towed out. i used 76 torino spindles on mine . minor modification needed at lower ball joints on spindle . used granada rotors on them. used a little jeep cherokee booster combo. i originaly bought the booster kit on ebay. if you go that route. buy the double diaphram booster. i bought the single diaphram . its not enough to stop the car. i like the booster mounted right to the firewall. not hanging out in mid air. check out my link to my photo bucket in my profile for pics of it.
I bought the 7 degree reamer from Speedway, clamped the Granada spindles in a heavy vice and used a 1/2" drill with the reamer and reamed them myself. Measured just how far the ball joint should go, wrapped tape around the reamer at that spot and went to work. Worked out great on my '54
Hey Jim, I think I've read that the '75-'77 Maverich uses the same spindle as the Granada, Maybe someone here has a Hollander interchange manual that can confirm this.
Jim do you have a pull a part around? They get a granada here at this one every so often, I signed up on an email list to let me know when it does so I can snag them. I dont need em, but they bring a good profit Just thinking if you have one around, get on the email list. Also, good luck on the machine shop reaming part. Everyone told me that same thing. So I found a granada, got the spindles and all real cheap, like $40. Drove and called all over hell and back to every machine shop around and not a *%&&% one knew what I was talking about. I simply asked to taper ream the ball joint hole, showed them...forget it, no clue. So I called Dave at drop n stop, he took care of me. We worked out a trade, mine for his that were reamed correctly and I paid some extra. Saved me a lot of trouble. Great guy, very helpful and will work with you.
Mark-t If you want to lower a 54-56 ford with Granada spindles you don't have to ream the lower ball joint area. If you are not looking to lower car then you have to ream lower ball joint area. I have installed these on all but one of my fords. Reaming the lower joint makes the spindle go down further on ball joint which raises car then you have to install a spacer so nut can tigthen against spindle. Non reamed hole you have to install a rubber heater hose is what I used to cover exposed ball joint this lowers car about 1-1.5 inches. All this is what Drop-n-stop tells you in there instructions that come with there parts. Now if you want to spend big bucks buy drop spindle from Fatman there spindles will give car about 2.5-3.0 of drop. Lincoln Versai, Mercury Monarch are the same. Get out there and start looking thru your local salvage yards. Bought a whole Granada that was on it way to junk yard for 75.00. This is just my .02 on the subject. Charles
Here is a link I have used to find cars in wrecking yards. Put in year, make and model along with your zip code. http://www.copartfinder.com/finder/searchMake.do
All I have are the modern tuner yards around here . I did find some good deals on ebay for $500 for the complete kit . I can get a kit with everything less the rotors , bearings , calipers , pads for $300 but by the time you but all the parts you just as well buy the complete kit for %400 and be done with it . If you are lucky enough to find a Granada up to 1979 then that would be a good deal to strip it . But then you might find a complete car in the paper , auction or C/L . Then take all the front end parts , the rear then sell the rest to the s****e yard . You can always use the steering column as well . Jim
Charles, I have done this swap and the Granada spindle does not fit the '55 ball joint without some reaming. When I had my spindles reamed at my local machine shop I told them to only ream it enough so that the spindle sits as high as possible on the ball joint stud so that it makes the car sit as low as possible, so you are correct about that. Less reaming makes the car sit lower. I also used a short piece of heater hose between the ball joint and the spindle, I also had to use a few hardened washers on top of the spindle so that the castle nut would sit high enough to use the cotter pin.
Hi Hotroddinkc, If you send me a PM, I will try to help you out with your disc brakes. daverace@sbcglobal.net
I don't know what your plan was for a Power Booster but I'm going to try a mid to late 60's Galaxie booster on my '55, from the measurements that I have taken I believe that it will bolt on without any modifications. I have one on the shelf but I have not tried to bolt it on, I'll post my findings when I do.
Here's a guy on ebay selling them for $499 Dont know if he has reamed them or not, but he says they are made to work with the 54-56 Ford. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350433755188&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Make sure that the parts you buy are parts that work together. The bore size of the master cylinder is right for the calipers and rear drums, that the proportional valve is correct for the new system, that the brake lines are routed correctly from the master cylinder and the brake line size is correct for the calipers. If you have any doubts...Call a professional!!!!!!! I have seen beautifull rides destroyed by barnyard break jobs. MAKE SURE YOUR STUFF WORKS TOGETHER!!!!!! If your brakes feel strange, don't drive it until it's right!
I gave a power booster , master cylinder , proportional valve with all the lines that was unbolted from the frame brake block on the front end . I will just need to make a long enough rod if need be and maybe a frame to mount it if the one I have doesn't work . Mine came from a mid 80's Mustang . I figured if I don't have disc brakes , then power brakes will really help out a lot better than manual brakes and a 2+ ton car to stop it ! Jim
A friend did the Granada/Monarch disc brake thing on his 56 Victoria, but used a non-power master cylinder, and states that the car stops well without excessive foot pressure.
Are all the parts the same on Ford/mercury/lincoln? I have a 54 Mercury Monterey. Is this the same as a 54 ford?
If you your 54 Monterey has ball joints and not king pins it probably has the same suspension as the 54 Ford, 54 was the first year Ford used ball joints.
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