Front Brakes Revisited! (pics)
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=567
Printed Date: 18-April-2024 at 11:28PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Front Brakes Revisited! (pics)
Posted By: Psquare75
Subject: Front Brakes Revisited! (pics)
Date Posted: 13-April-2006 at 3:31PM
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------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
While we are on the subject... I got my 12" stuff in.. 72 Tbird Rotors, spindles, and the bearings/seals. I need to get some caliper brackets saturday. I might have this buttoned up by the end of the weekend. Replies:
Posted By: galvarado
Date Posted: 13-April-2006 at 4:34PM
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Do you have to pull the caliper brackets from a 72 T-Bird or can you get them from any full size ford with the bigger front brakes? Gene |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 13-April-2006 at 5:04PM
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ANy full size.. I'm getting mine from a 76?ish LTD. I knew I should have kept those Mark V brackets I had.. damn. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 14-April-2006 at 4:35AM
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Should be a good solution, just make sure to use a good pad and good fluid if you plan on abusing them. (I used Raybestos Super Duty and you can actually feel them bite stronger after a 120mph stop.)
Jim ------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: GranTorinoMan
Date Posted: 14-April-2006 at 5:04AM
| I had Raybestos SD shoes installed on my back brakes (drums) just before I went racing last Friday. I felt a noticable improvement in hauling 4,140 pounds of Torino down from 111 mph. Nice to get all the cob webs out from the winter and start testing my new parts. |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 14-April-2006 at 5:10AM
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I currently use carbon metallics.. and they really change from cold to warm! This should be interesting. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: steve
Date Posted: 16-April-2006 at 2:50PM
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soon i will be starting my own project! I am not epereinced in rebuilding but do understand alot. I always try to fix my own truck and sometimes have to take things apart more than once. Your advice to each other has already showed me alot of things that are going to make my car come together the rite way.you guys are great! When my wife has a chance I will post some current pics of my 73 GTS Fastback. Step by Step I will dig all your experience.My goal is to stuff a 514/625 hp in it.Some people say its too much $$ to spend on an engine, but I spent more than that on snow machines that I havnt used this year,one thing for sure is that engine is an investment in my mind. Just wanted to say thanks
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Posted By: GranTorinoMan
Date Posted: 16-April-2006 at 7:37PM
| I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. Your car will be a real ground shaker with a 514. I try to stick by the advice I read from an article about Warren Johnston who, although not a Ford guy, said "Always buy the best parts that you can afford". I have to admit that I've tried the cheaper parts however they are always the ones that bite you in the ass on race day. |
Posted By: galvarado
Date Posted: 17-April-2006 at 5:20AM
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Any progress on the front brake upgrade. Gene |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 17-April-2006 at 5:25AM
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Best of luck Steve, it will be a screamer! That 514 is well underrated and will give you grins till the the tank runs dry. Just make sure you have the trans, driveshaft and rear to hold it, and some tires to deliver it.. (and the 3" exhaust, and good fuel system, etc) Looks like there will be more fast full frames out there. Gonna lose sleeper status soon.
:-)
------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 17-April-2006 at 6:32AM
Ask me tomorrow. I should have it completed tonight. Saturday was "let's take a car out of the garage under the house, which has no rear end in it.. because the washing machine died". While it was out, I cleaned out the Elite a bit more, and spun it around on rollers.. so now it's backed in, ready to donate the 460 to my Cougar. Sunday was Easter/Went to a Red Sox game. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
galvarado wrote:Posted By: galvarado
Date Posted: 18-April-2006 at 9:45AM
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That 460 will be nice in that Cougar. Trying to imagine how it'll look under the hood. Were Cougars available from the factory with 460's during those years? Gene |
Posted By: galvarado
Date Posted: 18-April-2006 at 9:46AM
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I almost forgot, did you get to the brakes? My condolences on the washing machine. Gene |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 18-April-2006 at 9:54AM
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One side is done :-x I was tired, and it was dark. All the pieces as mentioned in that article fit together perfectly. I'll post some pics tonight. Also, no 460s factory in the 77-79s. 400 was the biggest I believe. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 18-April-2006 at 10:47AM
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This is Before
This is After... One side is flipped in the picture, to show the same side. Mainly, note how much dust shield is visible. I'm actually pretty pleased. this cost me $280 or so in parts, seeing as I reused calipers, pads, hoses, and wheel hub center caps.
------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: galvarado
Date Posted: 18-April-2006 at 2:26PM
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Looking good. I'm sure you'll notice the difference in stopping power once you get both sides on. Gene |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 19-April-2006 at 4:01PM
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So this should show the real size of the rotor..
------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: GranTorinoSport
Date Posted: 20-April-2006 at 9:23AM
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So that is a 72 T-Bird rotor? ------------- Scott Eklund Webmaster |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 20-April-2006 at 9:51AM
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You are correct sir. Autozone.com and rockauto.com have them in the $120-ish range. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: GranTorinoSport
Date Posted: 17-August-2006 at 5:02AM
------------- Scott Eklund Webmaster |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 17-August-2006 at 6:12AM
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I went with BruteStops from Rockauto.com. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 17-August-2006 at 6:47AM
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I got mine at Pep Boys, that's what they called them (brakes for a 1976 Torino with the Police/taxi package). I know they were the expensive ones as I considered getting Hawk to make me a set of Blue's..
Jim
edit: Looking into it, I'll bet they are the Brute stops.. (and the Super Duty must havebeen an adjective the sales guy used) ------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: Hey Z
Date Posted: 17-August-2006 at 2:08PM
I've read this thread more than once but my head always starts hurting when I read the threads on brakes. Could one of you that has upgraded your brakes maybe summarize all the parts necessary to upgrade the brakes and what is necessary to make it all work (in terms that the barely-mechanics can understand)? It would be greatly appreciated!! 
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Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 17-August-2006 at 3:50PM
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Well.
Spindles from a 72 Torino (they have a smaller diameter snout)
Bearings for the same spindle inner and outer
Rotor from a 72 Tbird
Caliper brackets from a 'big' ford, 72-79. (LTD, Continental, etc)
your old calipers.. I think that's pretty much it. That help? ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 18-August-2006 at 1:49AM
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Or:
Caliper bracket from a mid 70's full size, (T-bird, LTD, etc), rotors for a Torino Police/taxi package car (same as full size), and your stock calipers. This route will require having the rotors re-drilled for your 5x4.5 bolt pattern and the centers machined for your rims though.. All part #'s are available on NAPAOnline.com.
Jim ------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: Hey Z
Date Posted: 18-August-2006 at 9:34AM
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Ok, since I have a '72 Torino Gran Sport I should just need the "big ford" calipers and the t-bird rotors right?
Thanks guys I think the confusion resulted from the discussions of the other model years that have additional requirements.
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Posted By: GranTorinoSport
Date Posted: 20-August-2006 at 3:50AM
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The calipers are the same. It is the caliper bracket that is bolted (2 bolts) to the spindle that the caliper is fit onto with the keyway, etc. The big ford caliper bracket moves the caliper farther out to compensate for the 12 inch rotor instead of the std 11 inch rotor. Pads are the same, too.
What I did was order a set of spindles from a 72 T-bird with caliper brackets. I got the set from Schulls Wrecking yard for under $100, I can't remember the exact price (I think it was 75). So, it will have the proper spindle size and the proper caliper bracket all in one.
What all this means is this:
1. 72/73 Ford used smaller bearing sizes for the wheel bearings, BUT the rotors had the 5x4.5 inch bolt pattern. In 74, mid-size AND full-size went up to a larger bearing size BUT mid-size kept the 5x4.5 inch bolt pattern, full size got the 5x5 inch bolt pattern.
2. Full size has 12 inch rotor (11 point something inches, just called a 12 inch rotor), and mid-size has a 11 inch rotor (again, close but not the exact size, just the name).
3. You can put the 74-76 full-size caliper bracket on your car (the full size brackets are all the same) but to get a rotor in the 12 inch size that fits those bearings (the larger size) you end up with a 5x5 bolt pattern in the front, but you still have your stock 5x4.5 bolt pattern in the back. Dicey choice at best.
4. You can get the smaller bearing size by using a 72/73 spindle - mid size or full size, and then get the full size caliper bracket (72-76) and then get a T-bird rotor (72/73) and you have the set up. This is the preferred option, because you now have the same 5x4.5 bolt pattern. And, should you want to upgrade the rear brakes to disc, you can get the Motorcraft set (which is the Explorer style setup) and it is 5x4.5,
Paul and I have been working on a white paper for this very thing. I stopped working on it since I am working on my 73 right now and doing this very mod. I will put the parts in it when I am finished.
I can post up my Excel spreadsheet for parts I have used should you like to see it. It is more than you need (I am buying everything new, not reusing anything), but you can gather the ncessary info from it to do the mod. ------------- Scott Eklund Webmaster |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 21-August-2006 at 2:36AM
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...or you can just have the full size rotors redrilled for 5x4.5 and have the centers turned down, while keeping your larger spindle diameter (ford must have done that for a reason)...
I had mine done at the local machine shop for $70 for the pair, and I'll have these rotors on the car for at least three to four years. All I did was bring them the two new rotors and one old one..
Jim
(or you can adapt the rear brakes and axles from a full size and have 5x5 all the way around, but then it's time for new rims..) ------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 21-August-2006 at 2:45AM
I say they did it to reduce costs.. Doesn't make sense to have two bearing sizes when both cars use the same spindle.
The rear axles in the 72s had issues... (I had one that did as a matter of fact), however, I suspect they just figured since they went with a uniform rear bearing, they figured we can save some money and go with a uniform front design.
On a side note, I never understood why Ford always did that.. cut the safety margin.. had 2 suspension designs. 4 lug vs 5 lug.. 8" 9" etc. Before my Cougar, I was/am a GM guy.. I enjoy how a straight 6 Cutlass uses almost exactly the same suspension as a 455 Cutlass..
I think the spindles were bean counters at work. If I break one, I'll let you guys know. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 21-August-2006 at 2:50AM
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Any idea of what other cars used the small spindles? I kind of doubt you'll break one in normal use, but if you road race the car, or do any sustained high speed running, I suspect the smaller items may become compromised.. One good thing is that you are lighter than most of the cars of that era. I like the extra safety margin myself, just because I have all sorts of stupid plans for the car (Maxton Mile anyone?) Jim------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 21-August-2006 at 2:56AM
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At this point, I'll be happy if mine rolls under it's own power by October :-) ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: JimW
Date Posted: 21-August-2006 at 4:12AM
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I'd put money on you meeting that goal..
:-)
I just can't wait to hear how all the mods and the big motor work together in a place they were never meant to go.
:-) ------------- 1976 S&H Gran Torino 460/C6/4.33 13.05@105.6 545/C6/3.56 11.52@117.8 More to come!!!! 463rwhp/495rwtq two tons of fun see it and hear it at: www.torinocobra.com www.st |