Most of the thunderbird suppliers will have it, Larry’s, Classic Auto, Southwest. I live on the west coast, so use the guys out here for shipping purposes, but there’s more on the east coast or central part of the country.

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

Are there any options that allow the use of the orginal 14" Ford wheels?

Thanks Miker ,
The link on this site Drop Em and Stop em is claiming about a 20-25 % increase at $785 plus shipping, Bolt on front discs with dual master/not power and proportioning valve and some hard lines. He said I can use my 62' 14"  KH wire wheels. Like you say a lot to go through and be disappointed.
Gary

This is probably obvious, but I’ll say it anyway. IIRC the 57 birds had 14” wheels. Most kits require 15” wheels, and I’ve seen older 15”’s not clear the calipers without spacers. The size of the center hole on older wheels can also be a problem, so a set of 55-56 Ford rims might not fit either. I did a disc brake conversion with my scrubby buddy on his 56 with 14” rims. They make those, but the rotors and calipers are quite small. It was an improvement over the drums, but a long ways from modern disc in terms of fade. I’m not discouraging you, but ask a lot of questions. You don’t want a surprise after everything is there.

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

Might want to check with Speedway for those brakes depending on what state you live in.  Summit charges sales tax now in several states where they have stores or warehouses.  Speedway had a sale for $699.00 for the Wilwood set.  JDC

JDC

Thanks Bob will check them out love the Summit Free shipping. Thanks to all who responded.
Gary

Wilwood sells a front disk brake conversion kit for the '57 Tbird.  http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/BrakeKitSearch.aspx?year=1957&make=Ford&model=Thunderbird&option=All&axle=Front+Kit This site will give you the specs on there kit.  You can use there part number at Summit Racing to buy it.

I installed Kelvar linings on my '57 Bird several years back. Better than the originals but not up to disk brakes.

miker hits on an important point.. the materials the industry settled on after the exclusion of Asbestos from brake materials, are part of the braking problems. According to an article in Hemmings Classic car a year or more ago, the new materials are less compatible with older drum brakes than original material shoes. So, brakes that obviously are not up to the latest modern standards, are now even less satisfactory than original! ..  I don't have an answer for that problem other than expensive, some times complicated Disc conversions.. Anybody have ideas or solutions?  


Paul

There’s a number of ways to do that. Most of the thunderbird suppliers sell a kit. The one I put on 20 years ago used a small spacer on the spindle, different bearings, Granada rotors with the center turned down to allow early (small center hole) wheels to fit, early Fairlane calipers, and the related other parts, master cylinder hoses, etc. The power brake booster is the oem one on the inner fender, and only provides boost to the front. They work well enough and clear stock rims. The spacer on the spindle does move the wheel out 1/8” or so, but didn’t cause a problem. I think some kits came with new rear brake cylinders in a different bore to provide better balance. I’m still running those on the front, but all the rest of the brake system has been changed.

The new kits probably have some changes, but I’m pretty sure the basics are the same. Some price the proportioning valve separately, and distance will affect shipping.

You can also swap in Granda spindles with a little work, and lower the front. I’ll let someone who’s done that chime in on that.

If we could still buy good linings and find a shop that knows how to fit the shoes to the drums, we probably wouldn’t need disc unless you drive hard enough to encounter fade.

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