A friend in Hawaii was running drum brakes on the front of his 70 Firebird drag car. I was surprised and had to ask why. According to him the drums are considerably lighter. That was a new one on me. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

What duel chamber master is the most direct bolt on? Also what is the proper way to adjust the push rod ? I have to go through the rear brakes and this would be a good time to switch master. I am researchin rear self adjusters. When u get the part numbers I will post for everyone.

Durham Missouri

Might be something useful here

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/self-adjusting-brakes-for-a-54.899224/#post-10196463

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I performed the disc brake conversion almost 13 years ago on my 56 and it was one of the best things I ever did to the car! Cut my stopping distance in half, no more constant adjusting the front brakes to prevent pulling to either side and I am still running on the same pads I installed 13 years ago and they are only worn to the halfway point!

I went with Granada spindles and manual disc. Everything was a complete bolt in (including the Granada master) only modifications to the car were reaming out the lower spindle for the larger ball joint and splitting my brake lines. All parts were purchased through Napa and cost me less than $300.00 Canadian. Oh and parts are still available through Napa, over the counter! Unless you are restoring a concourse car and want to be completely factory original, throw away the drums and save you ride (and yourself) in today's traffic!  

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Does it matter what year Granada is used?

Durham Missouri

Bigwindow,  

No it doesn't matter, I used 77 Granada spindles from a wrecking yard, so that is the year I ordered for. However, all Granada or Mercury Monarch brakes are the same from 75 to 82 which I believe was the last year for the Granada (?) .   

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Which prop valve did you use? I assume the 56 will not work since it's for drum brakes.

Durham Missouri

I was actually told that some conversions (like Drop-N-Stop) don't need to use proportioning valves!  I was informed that the stock rear wheel cylinders are proportioned properly for use with calipers up front and a stock Granda, dual master ???  (your choice)
 However, I decided to install a universal Willwood proportioning valve. That being said, when I went to set it up, I threaded the valve fully in & out to find the middle point. I then went to an empty parking lot to test the brakes. To my surprise, middle setting worked perfectly!  Car nose dives and stops straight without locking up the brakes under hard deceleration. Slam on the brakes and rear tires do lock up, but car stops within a reasonable distance with no pulling to either side.  

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

If you use the Granada/Monarch spindles look for 1975 to 1980 donor cars. The '81 & '82 models are another variant of the early 80's Fox Body. The late 5 lug Maverick/Comet front disc brakes and spindles should be the same as the early Granada parts.

The Mustang '71 to '73 disc knuckles are the same as the Granada - but the Mustangs had some better brakes than the little sedans .......... The lower tapers will have to be opened for the earlier ball joints, same as the Granada.

Wilwood also sells a nice Mustang disc brake package - that fits the '71 to '73 Mustang, Maverick drum knuckles - and therefore swaps in nicely too (after the tapers are opened up).

For '70 to '73 Mustang use - you can get some serious road racer brakes ........but they require 16 inch wheels. These are 1.25 thick x 12.0 diameter rotors fitted to Granada drum brake knuckles.

"AS YE GO - SO MUST YE STOP"



 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona