Getting ready to switch over to disc brakes. For those that have done the conversion do you recommend front only or go for all the way around? One system I saw for all 4 made you move the battery to the trunk while the version for front only added a dual master cylinder and used the power brake booster.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Mark

I would go with the front discs only. I think four wheel disc are overkill on a car like the TBird. Th dual master and having the stock power brake booster connected to just the front ( because of the design I don't think its practical to have it set up for all four wheels) is a good plan.



If your planning to use an aftermarket round type booster you will run into battery space problems.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks!

I did the front disc on my '55 bird years ago, and several years later added rear disc. Used a kit from one of the Thunderbird catalogs, (t bird center, casco, would have to look it up). It used a dual master, a combination valve, and an original style booster on the disc circuit only, mounted forward of the battery. Original spindles, cleared the later model wires, worked great. Several years later I added rear disc to the original rear axle, using a kit out of Colorado, designed around Jeep rear ends. I also added a hydro-boost unit between the master and the fire wall. New combination valve, rear adjustable pressure valve, etc. Total waste of money. The combi valve wasn't right for the rear disc (needed a 10psi residual rather than the 2psi usually used on disc), the brackets and calipers didn't clear without modification, and once it all worked, it was the same as the rear drums. Maybe if you do a lot of 100mph stops, drive down Pike's peak or something, and put big tires on you could find the difference. All I can say is I learned more and it cost less than going to college.

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

Thanks. Kinda had a feeling the rears were overkill. Thank you for your imput.

Mark

The front brakes provide about 70% of the stopping power.I swapped the fronts on my fullsize 56 using Granada disc brakes along with a booster/dual master/adjustable pressure valve and the difference is amazing.I also installed self-adjusters on the stock rear drum brakes which keeps the shoes adjusted and really contributes to the overall braking action.When you go to discs it is very important to keep the rears adjusted.

  

To add what I previously said, I put the Granada set up on my 54 Ford which weighs at least as much as a 56 Bird. I opted to go non power and have not regretted it. They have been on the car for a little over two years. I still have 4 wheel drums on my 56 Bird.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Was there a great deal of mod required to add 'adjusters' to the rear drums, or a simple swap of late model parts? If it's been covered here already, I apologise... is there a link?

Cheers... Brian

Cylinder Index = 84

Current Experiment = `57 Tbird, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Are the rear shoes on the 57 Bird the same as 55 and 56?I know the 55-56 car and Tbird are the same but are the 57 also?I can give the correct info if they are the same shoes.

  

I'm interested in the self adjusters on the '56 drums as well if you would have some added info.

Thanks,

pops (AKA) Clay

'56 Thunderbird