My friend Tom asked me to post this for him, he's been having computer problems. He has a 57 312, 3-speed od. I think it's an e code, about 2,000 built. He wants to go with front discs, doesn't really want to drop the front end down with the granada stuff. He said all he's found is a kit from one of the t-bird guys for $1200, and is hoping to get by a little cheaper. I'm sure he will appreciate any guidance you guys can offer,





thanks, Mark

Scarebird regularly sells the bracket kit on ebay and the balance is really just off the shelf parts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-1955-56-57-Thunderbird-T-Bird-front-disc-brake-/370644869259?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564c27e08b&vxp=mtr 



Larry D

Winnipeg, MB Canada Eh!


'57 Fairlane 500 Club Victoria

'58 Custom 300 Tudor

'56 Crown Victoria

'61 Starliner Z Code

'51 Ford Victoria

I would give one of these outfits a call. I think they might be able to sort out a Granada spindle for him. On the West Coast:



http://www.dropnstop.com/page2.html



On the East Coast



http://www.fatmanfab.com/

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

He said scarebird only offered them for the 57 fords, but he admits to being not real good on the computer, I checked it out-looks like exactly what he needs thanks again





thanks, Mark

There are a number of finished cars around (birds) that have utilized the big Kelsey Hayes brakes and spindles off the late '60s wagons and Thunderbirds, etc. Hard to find those parts today but the "big car" spindles adapt to the early suspension just as well and many brake kits will fit them. Ride height is then unchanged. When sorting them out, one big key is the location of the spindle lathe center relative to the ball joint mounting lug.

The Ford "Falcon" disc brake knuckles - (71 and upward - Mustang, Comet, Maverick, Granada, Torino, Ranchero, etc. in particular) have the spindle raised relative to the lower ball joint mount. It isn't a lot - but it lowers the car by the difference. It also depends on how deeply you "remachine" that lower taper to fit the "big pin" ball joint (big pins have a near 7/8 dia shank). The deeper the inset - the closer they become to the original 50's ride height. The shallower the taper is fitted (for instance, to just utilize the taper of the big pin) the more the car may be lowered. The raised spindle is combined with a slightly shorter overall height of the knuckle for a specific design reason - it pulls the upper ball joint down off the sidewall of the tire when using 15 inch wheels.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Just to go a bit further - this is what is possible when "real" brake designers go to work on building Ford disc systems.... 1-1/4 thick rotors and big calipers no less.....like a late model Corvette.

This is a Granada DRUM brake spindle used to build a set of brakes for a TransAm track car (replica). With the lower ball joint taper reamed out - it would fit right on a '57 T-bird. Worthy of mention here is - the caliper is mounted in the rear - a necessity if you wish to stay away from the little bird's sway bar mounting.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve,



Regarding your comment on caliper placement, what set up requires the caliper to be placed on the front of the spindle instead of the rear?

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

There are several versions of the "homebuilt" disc brake systems available - where the adapted disc brake calipers (usually a "metric" GM) have been mounted to the front of the knuckle. User complaints have appeared on internet sites, indicating that turning radius was impeded. A look at my own '56 car indicated that the report was probably true.

You're using the Granada knuckles aren't you? They have the rear set-up so no worries there....

I've got a set under construction on my work bench, that are based on the Granada disc knuckles, larger Lincoln rotors (1.0 inch thick) and some aluminum "PBR" calipers from a 2001 Mustang. Finding the assembly shown in the photos has me wondering whether I should abandon that project in favor of the Mustang endurance racer parts......

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve, the reason I mentioned the front mounted calipers is this kit by SSBC which is sold through Summit Racing. It states it cannot be used with the OEM sway bar. There have been posts about this dating back several years on the FE Engine Forum. IIRC, the posts include info about swapping the installation bracket from right to left and rotating the bracket to allow the kit to be installed with the calipers mounted to the rear. In fact one of the more reputable posters has contacted SSBC and has never received a response.



http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ssb-a152-1r/overview/make/ford/model/galaxie-500



I am doing the Granada swap now on my Tbird. I have done the 77-78 Tbird/Cougar/LTDII change on my 65 Galaxie and a 76 F150 disc brake and power steering change to a 66 F100. All working well. Don't remember any Ford front mounted calipers as a Ford dealer tech but maybe on some of the more obscure European or Japanese built stuff.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Scarebird does have them listed on their website.
http://www.scarebird.com/index.php?id=1  
I put them on my 55 a couple of years ago, a pretty easy install, but as mentioned in other threads, the hubs have to be machined to use stock wheels.

Don