Hello everyone
Im new to FTE.
I just purchased A 1972 Ranger XLT.
I got it at a steal, went to my cousins to look at a realy rough 68
while running around saw a 1972 sitting behind a garage at a car dealer, stopped and asked to look at it.
He told me it needed work and he dosent work on Fords (Chevy guy)
he started it up and it idled rough and the motor has a slight knock
but the body is in realy good shape. I asked him what he wanted for it and almost fell over when he told $250 cash as is.
Needles to say I drove it home.
I had a 1970 When I was a kid and knew the in's and outs of the 302 very well, but this one has the original 390 fe and I dont have a clue. Pretty much everyone I know works on Chevy's so I hope to get to know you all very well as I will be here a lot asking advice.
My first question is how hard is it and where would I find the parts and information to switch the front brakes from drum to disc?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

First, congratulations. You have a great truck, and you're in for a fun time.

Second, welcome. Be sure to join the club (Club FTE, that is), and do your best to buy your stuff from Ken (Motorhaven.com) whenever possible. It's what keeps this great site alive.

Third, are you sure it has a 390? The 390 was a relatively rare option in these trucks. It is externally indistinguishable from the 360, though, so lots of 360s magically become 390s when they go up for sale. Post the VIN and we'll tell you whether it came from the factory with a 360 or a 390.

Fourth, you can do a search for one of the many threads about converting a 67-72 truck to front discs. I think there may even be a tech article on it. It's pretty easy. Basically, you need to find a 73-79 to use as a donor. You need at least the master cylinder, spindles, rotors and calipers. The easiest way to do it is to move the whole front suspension over as a unit -- I-beams and all. That way, the truck will still be aligned pretty well when you bolt it all up. 73-79 trucks are a dime a dozen at many junkyards, so you should be able to get everything you need easily and cheaply.

 

There definitely is an article in the tech department on this website regarding this very project. The only other piece you need apart from what Dennis mentioned is the newer proportioning valve. Any p/s column from 67-79 will fit as well so if you want to get fancy, swap in a 79 tilt column.

 

Don't forget to use the disc brake proportioning valve from the donor truck as well.

 

karlsd
You were right I ran the vin and it should have the 360 not the 390
if it is the original motor.
How do I find out wich one I have?

 

Measure the stroke. There are several ways to do it. The easiest is to pull the #1 and #4 spark plugs and bring the #1 piston to TDC. Drop a dowel into the #1 hole and rotate the crank with a wrench on the crank pulley bolt until it is as high as it will go. Mark the dowel with a marker where it disappears into the hole, then remove it and drop it into the #4 hole. Because the #1 piston is at TDC, #4 must be at BDC. Put another mark on the dowel, pull it out, and measure the distance between the marks. If it is 3.5", you have a 360. If it is 3.78", you have a 390.

 

Make sure the dowel is long enough that some of it sticks out
of the hole for you to hold.



Dennis



Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"


78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

 

Here is the answer to your disc brake questions. Hope it helps, I also have a 67 and 72 F-250 camper special. My 72 has factory disc on it, but i'm putting them on the 67 and the 72 is going on a 76 highboy frame. Good luck, John

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/65-72_brake_conversion.php