disc drum conversion

Hi guys, I know disc brakes from a granada fit the 67-68 mustang but do they fit a 66 mustang, or do you know from what other car would fit the 66 Thanks  

They should fit.  Potential donors include - 1974-1977 Maverick/Comet, 1975-1980 Granada or Mercury Monarch.  All these parts (spindles included) are available new from various vendors.  

The reason the swap "works" is because the ball joint taper was consistent from about 1966 up to around 1980 or so when front suspension configurations begin to change again.  Note that the outer tie rod end has to match the donor spindle.  

Another thing to look out for is the thread that mates with the adjusting sleeve.  For 63 up V8 Falcon cars, 66 up all Falcon and 67 up all Mustang, the tie rod adjusting thread was 11/16-18.  On 60-62 Falcon, 63, 64 and 65 6 cylinder Falcon, 64-66 Mustang 6 cylinder manual steering cars the thread was 1/2-20.  One more exception: 64-66 Mustang with power steering - the thread was 3/4-18 on the left side.  Because of the taper and spindle thread, the outer tie rods MUST come from the donor car.  

See Mustang Steve and Mustang's Plus for parts to help mate the details to your car.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

Any ideas on what to do if you cannot find used parts in junk yard?  I have called around where I live and no one has anything close.  I have a 67 mustang that I would like to convert to disc. I would rather spend more than needed to do this job.  I know I can buy new rotors and calipers for this conversion, but cannot find anyone that sells new spindles.

Thanks.  

Falcon67, good post!

Aynor, you can get the Granada type spindles in new forgings (powdercoated too!) from Total Control Products (TCP), which is a division of Chris Alston Chassisworks.

HTH...
Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Editor
Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S auto
1990 Mustang 347/AOD
1998 Escort 2.0L SOHC/F4E-111 Auto
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto

Thanks Mark!  I've done a few and had the pleasure of researching the whole deal.  It's not a hard swap but it helps to go into it knowing that you might have to adjust the plan prior to finishing up.  For me, that's just part of the fun about things like that.

You can also find new replacement parts at DiskBrakeSwap.com

Including prop valves and misc parts.

I haven't hunted spindles in a while, but the last time I was in the big local yard I noticed that plenty of donor type cars were missing the front end parts.  The full kit from diskbrakeparts.com is only about $200 more than I've typically spent on one of these swaps, and I usually replace everything but the spindles and the prop valve.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

Yeah, thanks for that info Mark.

How much would you say a total front disc conversion should cost?  I see "complete" kits on the Internet ranging from $500 to $800.  Just wondering what a typical kit should cost.  I know that depending on what all the kit comes with, the price will vary, but I was just trying to make sure I didn't get ripped off.

Thanks!!  

I've spent about $350 on my conversions.  Most I paid for the spindles has been $90 from a scrap yard.  Total cost might be a bit more because rotors have gone up - they were about $40, now around $70+ each.  $30 M/C, $30 rebuilt calipers, plus bearings and seals.  I buy adapters and #3 braided steel brake hose to complete the hookups, so about $40~60 for that.

My web page on the conversion  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

Falcon,
 Thanks for all the info and help.  I am goig to do some research to see if I can find used spindles.  If not, I am looking at a kit for around $550 that has Ford spidles and tie rod ends.  So with that, everything will be new and should bolt right on will little or no mods.

One more question.  How envolved is it to convert from manual to power brakes?  Just on the front for the disc conversion.  

Mostly, you'd need a booster that fit the car, a power pedal and probably a different MC push rod.  The power brake pedals have a different leverage ratio.  Some pedals have a place lower on the pedal for another pin spot.  When I pulled the power brakes off the 70 Mustang, I sourced a manual pedal from the wrecking yard - I think out of a Fairlane.  I yanked 2 or 3 pedals, eyeballed the fit and said "Grog like this one" and in it went.  You may also have to relocate the hole in the firewall.  

MP Brakes, SS Brakes, etc, sell power kits - that might be the best idea.  They could probably advise with installation tips - the 67/68 cars should be a popular application.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

I just put power disk brakes on my 68 coupe from manual drums.  Used the MP brakes kit with slotted and cross drilled rotors.  Worked great and everything fit good.  If you don't need slotted/cross drilled rotors you can get disks, calipers, wheel bearings, hoses, master cylinder, power booster, and new brake pedal for between $800 and $900.  This kit will fit stock drum brake spindles.  

Hi, newbie here! I am working day in & out it seems on my 1966 Fairlane 500. I just picked up a set of d1z spindles... from 71-73 mustang/cougar. Anyone run this set up in a conversion? Thanks!  
66 500xl 390
67 500 convertible

HELLO,DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF 72 DISC BRAKES AND SPINDLES FIT ON A 66'COUPE WITH 4 LUG DRUMS NOW?  

72 what?  Mustang, Comet, Maverick - likely yes, Torino - no.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

Hey guys! I have a '68 mustang coupe. I would like to find out what donor cars could be used to upgrade my drums to disks all around. Also what all should I grab from each donor? I am new to this and need all the help I can get. Thanks in advance!!! Also, I'm thinking about grabbing a 9 inch rear end while I'm there. Any help with that also?  

Same as above.  Get the spindles, I would replace everything else except the disks if they are in good shape (not likely).   There are several kits on the market to put disks on the rear, some on small bearing rears and some on the large bearing.  2000 year big car (like Grand Marquis) will fit on a small bearing rear but I think some fabrication is required.  I have not done that particular swap.  Do a web search, tons of info on these items.  As for the 9", I would decide first on the rear disks, then what ends are required to mount the disks and then order a housing with the proper width, ends and spring pads.  If you find a 9" Mustang housing in a wrecking yard, then lucky you but I wouldn't count on it.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.