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Question on '72 and '73 front brakes

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=17543
Printed Date: 28-March-2024 at 5:13AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Question on '72 and '73 front brakes
Posted By: hogfiddles
Subject: Question on '72 and '73 front brakes
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 3:41AM
I'm swapping a '72 frame under my '73 so I can have a '72 nose. Both frames roll with complete suspensions.

My question--

Which set of front brakes is better....'72 or '73? Or doesn't it matter?

While both frames are out from underneath, now is the time to do any swapping. Currently, the '72 brakes/suspension are on the '72, and respectively '73 is on the '73.

Thanks for guidance.....

Dave

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1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)



Replies:
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 4:00AM
far as i know brakes are the same but 72's had smaller bearings


-------------
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION


Posted By: 7T9_Tbird
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 4:38AM
Since there's no budget mentioned, Maybe go with a Brake and suspension upgrade while the frames empty.  SSBC and Baer both make kits;

http://baer.com/1974-1976-Torino/" rel="nofollow - http://baer.com/1974-1976-Torino/

https://ssbrakes.com/i-10093429-1968-1973-front-loweraluminum-4-pistondisc-brake-conversion-kit-withcompetitionrace-calipers-w132-3.html" rel="nofollow - https://ssbrakes.com/i-10093429-1968-1973-front-loweraluminum-4-pistondisc-brake-conversion-kit-withcompetitionrace-calipers-w132-3.html

There's also the Mark V setup if you can locate one, but You'll have to change your rims.




-------------
John
79 Thunderbird Heritage
79 Thunderbird Town Landau
02 Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab


Posted By: 7T9_Tbird
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 4:42AM
I know the link says 74-76, but the page says 72-76.Big smile

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John
79 Thunderbird Heritage
79 Thunderbird Town Landau
02 Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab


Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 5:07AM
I'm not looking to any major upgrade at this point, I'm just wondering if one year's set-up is preferable over the other.........

For example, does the '72/smaller bearings have any advantage, or the '73/supposedly one year only set-up create any dilemma, etc....

I've read through a lot of the forums regarding front brakes but am not finding a clear answer.


-------------
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 7:13AM
compare the bearing sizes / spindle diameters against each other, hopefully you have a late 1973 build with the 1974+ spindles. early 1973 still used the smaller 1972 bearing & rotor, the change was early/mid 1973


1974+ spindles will allow you to use readily available rotors vs the less available & more expensive 1972 rotors

calipers, brackets, pads, hoses etc are the same 


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 7:43AM
Ah-hah! Now I understand :). I'll check that, and check the build date on my '73, as well.

Thanks :)

-------------
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)


Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 11:57AM
Well, the date plate says 04/73, so I guess there's no point in swapping things from the around from the '72 frame at this pointi'll just leave the '72 stuff attached......I'll just figure out what I want to do to update them later.

-------------
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 12:17PM
it's worth checking, that's about mid build year, they don't start on Jan 1



"My Censored brother bought her back in September '57. That's when you got your new model year, in September." ~  George LeBay


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 12:23PM
True........I knew that --hadn't thought that through enough, though, yup, I'll do that this weekend.

-------------
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 2:05PM
the 1974+ spindles also allow you to upgrade to 12" rotors if you can find the caliper brackets

they come with 5-5" lug pattern so you either have to get them re-drilled or find appropriate wheels. if you could find dual pattern wheels wit 5-5" & 5-4.5" you'd have no worries rotating tires or the spare fitting either front or back w/o changing the rear lug pattern to 5-5"


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 3:35PM
Like Rock says, you will have to check your bearing size.  I believe most '73s had the smaller bearing, the switch was closer to the end of the model year. The big advantage of the bigger bearings is better availability of the rotors.  Go on Rock Auto and there is more for the 1974+ Torinos vs the 1972-73.  The bigger bearing is supposedly more durable too.
FWIW, you can run the 12" rotors with the smaller bearings but you need the hard to find 1972 T-Bird or Torino Police rotors.  The Police Rotors use the 5x5 bolt pattern while the T-Bird use the smaller 5 x 4.5" pattern.  Rock Auto had some police rotors listed when I checked earlier today.


-------------
Vince

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin


Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 22-October-2018 at 3:50PM
I'll pull the '73 rotor this weekend to check... Thanks, guys!

-------------
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)


Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 23-October-2018 at 1:49PM
There are no 5x5 small bearing rotors, 11" or 12".
Changeover was a running change in '73.
Different plants, different lines changed at different times.
Easier to find parts for the big bearing set-up, but all the 12" big bearing rotors are 5x5.
There are weird older systems in fullsize cars that ran thru 72. Stay away from them.
Fullsize went to the common large bearing torino system in 1973.


-------------
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy
1979 T-Bird
2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD
How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?


Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 23-October-2018 at 3:00PM
Sorry, you're right Randy.  The 1972 Police Rotors and T-bird Rotors are the same and use the 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern.  Centric does make this rotor but Rock Auto is now out of stock again.
 
 


-------------
Vince

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 24-October-2018 at 5:48PM
I've been on their "contact me if they get any list" for well over a year now for those. Not feeling good about the odds anymore.
Russ


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 25-October-2018 at 5:20AM
the only way Rockauto is going to get any is if they buy old stock from an auction or clearance,

they show up as available until you add to cart then it's Oh Shoot


https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NB_4885540" rel="nofollow - https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NB_4885540


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 25-October-2018 at 3:31PM
I did the online reserve/pick up in store thing at Napa. We'll see what happens.
Probably should have just called, but I don't like calling.
Russ


Posted By: Billy C
Date Posted: 26-October-2018 at 2:13PM
The 72 large brake rotors ship has sailed? That kinda sucks. Well regardless the brackets are hard to find too. I suggest swapping over the 73 suspension as a whole and getting rotors, quality pads, and fluid. I remember the 1972 bits being a little different than all the other years. Nothing major, just bushings and stuff. I think they hadn't quite figured it out yet.

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-Billy Conturo


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 26-October-2018 at 5:11PM
std duty upper control arm bushings and the shafts got upgraded post 1972

then there were the HD screw-in bushings too ... ?

the rotors show available, just a matter of how much & where they're from


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 28-October-2018 at 11:25AM

Just to clarify, a lot of the parts used on the early Torinos were used for years before by other car lines too.  For example, the smaller bushings and upper control arm shaft used on the Torinos made Pre March 15 1972  were also the same one used on full-size Fords from 1965-72.  Almost all the other odd ball parts for 1972 and some '73s are like this, including rear bearings, front bearings, ball joints etc.  They were all used by other Ford lines for years before 1972.  So none of these parts are that odd or hard to come by..  The only part that was specific to these early Torinos only is the front brake rotors, but the availability still seems okay.

 
I will do a reference post on all this stuff soon, since it comes up often.  I will include part numbers and cross references, and cut off dates for parts changes. 
 
The solid screw in bushings were ony used by Police cars, AFIAK.  The factory Taxi package may have used them too.


-------------
Vince

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 30-October-2018 at 12:00PM
Sad update.
Napa can not get the Tbird rotors at this time.
Don't know if they will in the future, their vendor doesn't have anymore.
Fortunately thanks to CaliforniaJohnny I have the 74 spindles so I can still do the upgrade, just more of a pain.
Russ


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 30-October-2018 at 2:08PM
The Hits Keep Comin!




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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: 7T9_Tbird
Date Posted: 30-October-2018 at 11:38PM
Do they ever stop? LOL

-------------
John
79 Thunderbird Heritage
79 Thunderbird Town Landau
02 Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 04-November-2018 at 6:49PM
In case anyone might be interested, here is the contact info to ask Raybestos a question.
https://www.brakepartsinc.com/raybestos/who-we-are/contact-us.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.brakepartsinc.com/raybestos/who-we-are/contact-us.html ?
Their part number for the 72 rotor is 6028 in their catalog.
I just sent them a question asking if they still produce this.
I'll update when I get a response.
Maybe if enough people ask they will see the interest.
Russ


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 05-November-2018 at 5:59PM
Interesting.
I got a reply from Raybestos saying that the 6028R is still in production.
I asked him if he has a list of distributors because no one seems to have it.
The saga continues.
Russ


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 06-November-2018 at 10:10PM
Got this for an answer about who is selling these.
Raybestos customer service. 1-800-323-0354

Haven't had a chance to call yet, anyone else wants to feel free.

Russ


Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 07-November-2018 at 1:07AM
Sounds like a run-around

-------------
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies)


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 07-November-2018 at 12:12PM
maybe they'll wake up to the Nationwide Out Of Stock and punch out a small production run


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 07-November-2018 at 3:03PM
I tried calling today but they were closed already. 8-5 Central Time.
Russ


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 12:02AM
Just to update this, I keep forgetting to call.Embarrassed
There is an option on the website to ask where to buy, so I just did, specifically asking about part number 6028 or 6028R and if they are available in the US.
I'll let you know if/when I get an answer.
Russ


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 12:19PM
Well, bad news.

Part number 6028R is being discontinued. 6028 already was. I can cut and paste the email from them once I get home later tonight if anyone cares.
So Raybestos is out.
I'm going to have to go to the newer 74 and up and have them redrilled. Too tired and frustrated to try to find these Thunderbird ones anymore.

Russ


Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 2:06PM
That's disappointing.  It would be even worse for a guy that owns a '72 Bird or Mark IV, no replacement rotors available for those cars now.
 


-------------
Vince

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin


Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 3:02PM
Originally posted by 72FordGTS 72FordGTS wrote:

That's disappointing.  It would be even worse for a guy that owns a '72 Bird or Mark IV, no replacement rotors available for those cars now.
 


change to small rotors and caliper brackets, or change spindles & redrill 74+ police rotors


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72 GT Ute
   


Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 3:32PM
russ, i sent you 74 spindles Wink you can go with big brackets and 12" 74+ lincoln rotors Big smile redrill if you're fond of your particular on the style wheels you have
 good news for you russ... the front pan section you still need i may have available for you ( just need to confirm with my own eyes if his drivers pan is good in his car, he says it is but)


-------------
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 4:32PM
Yes, you did.
That's been my backup plan, was hoping I could get the Tbird rotors though. Bolt on is always my favorite way to do stuff.

Let me know when you are sure either way about the pan.

Thanks,
Russ


Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 7:07PM
i will, do you have the big brackets?


-------------
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 30-January-2019 at 9:06PM
Yep. Got them from another member here.
Thanks,
Russ


Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 31-January-2019 at 3:05AM
ok i thought you did


-------------
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION



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