When I was a kid, I thought I wanted one of those. They are non-existent around here, but I did see one at a big regional swap meet years ago. That one looked to be in similar condition to the one you have, but that guy was out of his market down here and had a lofty (seeming) asking price.
Car pics too cool not to share
- Thread starter Squatch
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When I was a kid, I thought I wanted one of those. They are non-existent around here, but I did see one at a big regional swap meet years ago. That one looked to be in similar condition to the one you have, but that guy was out of his market down here and had a lofty (seeming) asking price.
Looks significantly better than a C8, but I'm guessing we're in a different price range. I don't have time to watch that long video, is this an AWD car with 1200 hp ICE, or is it a hybrid setup with front drive motors and a lesser hp ICE?
Front and rear drive motors and a twin turbo v6. The v6 makes 900 hp. Turbos also have electric motors also.
I have not had time to look through the whole thread yet. I hope to be able to so I can see everything that has been posted. Your dad must be pretty cool if he's a flathead man. LOL
The brakes on my 51 Victoria had very recently been completely replaced including master cylinder, wheel cylinders, shoes spring kits and all four drums turned. So it was as good as it was new in 1951, that being said they sucked.
I was really fearful of driving it much over 40 mph because of the brakes even though they were as good as they ever were.
So not only did I put disc brakes on the front I also replaced the master cylinder with a dual reservoir type and ran a split front and back brake system. I did not go with a power booster because it's really not needed on these cars.
Now, that being said, I can't even describe how much better this car stops. Really it's unbelievable the difference that made. I don't have any fear now driving it at any speed I like because I know I have good solid brakes to rely on. Again I cannot even describe the difference that made.
So I kind of put my own kit together somewhat I bought the front disc brakes assemblies from speedway motors. I bought the master cylinder and master cylinder mounting bracket from Shoebox Central.
All said and done with new lines regulator valve and all the other miscellaneous items the whole swap came in under $1,000 I think somewhere around $850. Seems like a lot of money for something you don't see but like I said now I'm not afraid to drive the car anywhere.
I'm seeing $4 million as the price
Just a lot of wishful thinking cars on my part for most of the cars I post. Wish I had the time & money to have even 1 or 2 of the rigs that I've posted here.
I wouldn't go that far.
That's where the Merc is at, all new and factory. The car is 80% stock but weighs a little more than it did from the factory, which isn't helping anything, and those brakes are ok at best. I know he's looked at a couple disc setups over the years, but hasn't committed to it yet.
Here's a blurry pic of it at our friend's shop back in April. He has since lost a hubcap.
I have a '64 Chevy that I’ve been researching front disc on, and that $1,000 ballpark is where I keep landing, too. My Chevy is a manual brake car like your Ford, and I keep reading that disc setups need a booster, but I don't know anyone with a manual/disc setup, so I’ve never driven one. How is it? Guys online act like you can't safely drive a manual/disc setup.
My '67 Dart GT convertible had a 383 and a 4-speed in it, and it was running manual disc brakes. No issues with it at all. Also, the little '71 Gremlin project I currently own was running a 304 V8 in it before I bought it (sans engine and tranny), and it has manual disc brakes, as well. Previous owner drove that car all the time, and never complained about the brakes. Not sure who's saying you can't safely drive a manual disc setup, but I would question the validity of such claims. However, maybe this guy needs power-assist...
I have so many comments loaded up....
But back to the brakes. I assume a properly size disc setup with corresponding manual disc/drum master would require the same effort as a manual drum/drum setup, but guys on multiple forums were acting like without a booster the disc brakes were too stiff for general driving, which made me hesitate. I did find that a pre-packaged manual disc setup is very limited, like there are only 2-3 kits out there, but I figured that was market demand. The car is a little bit of a stripper/sleeper model having been ordered with manual steering and brakes, few other options, but the highest HP available in '64, so I kinda want to keep her original spirit.
I have so many comments loaded up....
But back to the brakes. I assume a properly size disc setup with corresponding manual disc/drum master would require the same effort as a manual drum/drum setup, but guys on multiple forums were acting like without a booster the disc brakes were too stiff for general driving, which made me hesitate. I did find that a pre-packaged manual disc setup is very limited, like there are only 2-3 kits out there, but I figured that was market demand. The car is a little bit of a stripper/sleeper model having been ordered with manual steering and brakes, few other options, but the highest HP available in '64, so I kinda want to keep her original spirit.
https://leedbrakes.com/c-1183472-front-disc-brake-conversion-kits-manual-front-kits.html
I think I had looked at them. I know I checked out SSBC and CPP. They all offer pretty similar stuff, all 11 inch rotors, and at the same price point. Have you used LEED stuff before?
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I haven't. Back in the day, disc brake conversions seemed to be more of a "tribal knowledge" sort of thing amongst the car community. Sure, some kits were available, but it seemed like more guys were piecing together systems from more commonly found (at the time) cars, like the Nova, Camaro, G-body cars, and for Ford, the Granada. Wrecking yard parts, or parts store supplied items were the way to go. But let's face it, that was 30-40 years ago. Supply, as well as interest, has dwindled to the point where you're almost forced into buying an expensive kit.
With the kits, I keep running into 10.5 and 11 inch rotors, which are based on late '80-early 90s S-10 from what I've found. This seems to be done for the guys running factory 14" wheels, which I will not be doing, and while parts are readily available, I just can't get over a 4,500lb+ car running 11" S-10 brakes. I did find one kit running an 11.5 rotor from a 3rd gen Camaro/Firebird (I think CPP), but I don't know how significant that 1/2 inch is. I do know later impalas, like a '68, and the same year Corvette ran front 12'' rotors, but I don't know what it would take to swap that onto my '64. Maybe just a spindle change? I'd love to have a factory spec'd option for that size car.
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Honestly, I wouldn't have an issue with running 11" rotors on your car. It isn't just the rotor diameter that's a factor. My concern has always fallen on the pad composition. People love ceramic pads for their low-dust characteristics, but as I understand it, that material works better as it gets hotter. What about the performance when the pads are cool? Also, ceramic pads aren't recommended for towing, or other heavy-duty applications, or so I've read. I suppose that is debatable, as most things are. As for me, I still gravitate toward semi-metallic, though it's definitely harder on the rotors.
That is something to consider, and I'm sure there are more options in that department for a disc setup if I look into it.
On that note, that reminded me of a brake incident I had years ago. I had just woken my Chrysler from another long slumber, got some tires on it and was driving it here and there around town, just shot trips. Well, I decided to drive it to where I was working one evening, a short trip, and just as I pulled into the parking lot and started looking for a parking spot, BAM, a hell of a pop and jerk from the front end, like I hit one of those elusive yellow poles.
I got out and looked, but couldn't find anything. She was still mobile, but not voluntarily. There was no way I was leaving it in that parking lot overnight, so I drove it to a buddy's place about 2 miles away and called work to say I wouldn't be there. We put her in the air and pulled the tire/hub/drum off to find that the lining of a brake shoe had detached, then lodged between the other shoe and drum. First time I had ever experienced that or even heard of it. I'm just glad it happened at a slow parking lot speed. Those brake shoes had been on there since my grandpa taught me how to replace them back in '95-96, and this happened in '16 I think. I guess the glue just let go.
That is something to consider, and I'm sure there are more options in that department for a disc setup if I look into it.
On that note, that reminded me of a brake incident I had years ago. I had just woken my Chrysler from another long slumber, got some tires on it and was driving it here and there around town, just shot trips. Well, I decided to drive it to where I was working one evening, a short trip, and just as I pulled into the parking lot and started looking for a parking spot, BAM, a hell of a pop and jerk from the front end, like I hit one of those elusive yellow poles.
Sounds like an advertisement/testimonial for rivetted brake shoes, to me...
Seriously, though, I've never heard of that happening before. I have, however, torn apart some brakes from field cars that had been sitting for decades, and had the majority of the shoe break off in my hands, so there's that. Still, sounds like you dodged (Chryslered?) a bullet, there!