I'm considering converting the manual brakes on my 56 Fairlane to power disc brakes. There are several kits out there, but I don't know which would be the best one to buy based on quality and price. Can anybody who has done this give me advice on what to buy from whom?

Get in touch with Dave at Drop 'em N Stop 'em. He's a great guy and knows his stuff. Was a big help when I put the front discs on my wagon.

Durham Missouri

I was thinking of doing the same to my 56, someone on this site or another old car site I follow asked me why. He stated the 56 Ford had one of the best ratings in 56 and if I was not going to take it to a road course there was no need. He added if I just wanted an easier pedal to add a vacuum booster like they did back then. I remember my dads new 55 Sunliner did not have power brakes an he had the booster added at the dealership. Our 56 did not has PS or PB and it was harder to drive and stop but it was not a big deal back then. The thing I like about the added booster is you still have a pretty good brake if the engine quits and you have the ability to pump them. Good luck

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I did mine using Granada Spindles and brakes. The Master Cylinder I used was from MBM Corvette style with Outlets on both Sides so You can run Lines whiscruber Side works better. The Booster is a dual Diaphram 7 inch Diameter which gives the assist of a bigger Diameter single Diaphram Booster. The mounting Bracket  is angled so the Master/Booster tilts up away from the Exhaust Manifold. I see some Kits that mount the Setup straight out. Don't know how well they work. Because the setup on mine is mounted on an angle I drilled a hole in the Brake Pedal lower so the Pushrod remained straight inline with the Booster. I also adapted self-adjusting setup to rear Brakes. Very important to keep rear Brakes adjusted properly. Stops straight with moderate braking Effort. My Buddy just added the Power Brakes to the existing Drum Brakes on his 55. This also made a big difference in his Car. If You can buy a Kit with the Granada Spindles already machined for the lower Ball Joint  its much less of a Headache trying to buy used Granada Spindles and then machining them. Used Ones are getting hard to find because the also can be used on Mustang, Falcon, Comet etc.

  

I'm adding a Hydrovac booster to my 56. It is supposed to double the output line pressure. I'll let you know how it works

Just out of curiosity, what's the Hydrovac unit based on, or out of?

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

It's a new unit I bought online from Australia.
I'm going to mount it underneath the car, using the stock single master cylinder
Jim

I have also made all the original drum brakes self-adjusting.
I hope that'll help as well.

Drum brakes stop faster than disks (more swep surface) that why big trucks still use drum brakes.
 Disks don't fade as ease, that why disks are used in racing.