Front disc brakes on stock axle in a 50 F1???
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South central, Minnesota
Front disc brakes on stock axle in a 50 F1???
This past weekend I picked up a 1950 Ford F1. It has been sitting since 1986. It has no motor(was a flathead V8 ). My plans are to swap in an Eplorer 8.8" rear diff, a 4spd manual transmission and either a 302 V8 or a 460(I have a 460 but am considering a 302 ).
I'm keeping the stock I-beam front suspension but I want to add disc brakes. But I'd like to find a kit that lets you use all Ford parts. So far the kits I've see use Volare/aspen front rotors and GM calipers. I want to use all Ford parts on my truck. Are there any kits that let you use Ford rotors and calipers??
Thanks.
I'm keeping the stock I-beam front suspension but I want to add disc brakes. But I'd like to find a kit that lets you use all Ford parts. So far the kits I've see use Volare/aspen front rotors and GM calipers. I want to use all Ford parts on my truck. Are there any kits that let you use Ford rotors and calipers??
Thanks.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Seattle WA.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: FLATHEAD VALLEY
I did this converson to my truck. Honestly I am looking to save every penny so I looked into this in great detail before making my buy. I have a 48 F-1 with 4 way disc. I have found that although keeping with the ford theam is nice. It can prove more hassle and cost in the long run. When I looked which was about 2-3 years ago I too wanted to keep all ford. But I found that the GM fits better, is cheaper to repair when the time comes and is easier to find parts for.
Things may have changed but I found that down the road you are looking at more hassle and less overall bang for your buck. Unless you are going with a show truck or exposed rotors (like with the use of billet rims or something) I say go with the GM caliper kit. I have been using it for over 3 years with no hassle. Amazng stoping power and cheap and easy to find replacement parts when the time comes. ( have priced out but have had no need of yet)
Things may have changed but I found that down the road you are looking at more hassle and less overall bang for your buck. Unless you are going with a show truck or exposed rotors (like with the use of billet rims or something) I say go with the GM caliper kit. I have been using it for over 3 years with no hassle. Amazng stoping power and cheap and easy to find replacement parts when the time comes. ( have priced out but have had no need of yet)
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
Fordman, I to do not want to use the smaller 4 1/2 inch bolt pattern, nor a off brand rotor. I found a kit for $140 that uses the stock Ford rotor from a later model truck. It still uses the GM calipers - but they might be OK.
My project is not ready for brakes yet, so I have not ordered the kit. If you go with it please post back your experance. You can order the kit at: http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/early...nversions.html
Good luck
My project is not ready for brakes yet, so I have not ordered the kit. If you go with it please post back your experance. You can order the kit at: http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/early...nversions.html
Good luck
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,000
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I used the kit from ECI (Engineered Components) on my 49. It uses late model Ford truck rotors (73-89) but you will have to use calipers off of a large GM car. The kits comes with a spindle adapter which allows you to use the Ford inner bearings and seals, the outer bearings are mid sized GM. I bought the basic kit ($100) which came with the brackets and bearing adapters and all hardware.
I think your only choice for trying to stay all Ford is to make your own caliper bracket.
Bobby
I think your only choice for trying to stay all Ford is to make your own caliper bracket.
Bobby
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Bobby, I think we are talking about the same kit - ECI. I don't see anyway to build the massive caliper bracket used by Ford. They cast it as part of the spindle and it is extremely wide.
It does give me confidence that you are using the ECI kit with the GM calipers - if they handle your 500 caddy, they should work well in my application. Thanks for posting that.
It does give me confidence that you are using the ECI kit with the GM calipers - if they handle your 500 caddy, they should work well in my application. Thanks for posting that.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,000
Likes: 9,890
From: Rio Rancho, NM
*****,
I didn't realize that the newer Fords used such a massive cast in place bracket (its been awhile since I had one apart.
I am very happy with the ECI kit, I bought the basic kit as I had the calipers already from my donor car (72 Caddy). I bought new rotors and bearings. I think the outer bearings are mid 70's GM midsized car (Chevelle, Monte Carlo, etc). I have a few hundred miles on my truck so far and everything works great! Stops staight and true.
One thing I will recommend when installing the spindle adapters is a tip I picked up from the Bonus Built site. Put the spindle adapters in your oven at about 450 degrees or more for about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure your spindles are clean and deburred, then one at a time grab an adapter out of the oven and rush out and slip it on the spindle. I used a lenght of pipe and light taps with a hammer to make sure they were seated against the back of the spindle. Then do the other side.
The oven expands the spindle adapter and allows it to slip on the spindle easier. the spindle adapters are quite thin and the thought of just pounding them on by force alone scared me. The oven trick worked great.
Good luck with it
Bobby
I didn't realize that the newer Fords used such a massive cast in place bracket (its been awhile since I had one apart.
I am very happy with the ECI kit, I bought the basic kit as I had the calipers already from my donor car (72 Caddy). I bought new rotors and bearings. I think the outer bearings are mid 70's GM midsized car (Chevelle, Monte Carlo, etc). I have a few hundred miles on my truck so far and everything works great! Stops staight and true.
One thing I will recommend when installing the spindle adapters is a tip I picked up from the Bonus Built site. Put the spindle adapters in your oven at about 450 degrees or more for about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure your spindles are clean and deburred, then one at a time grab an adapter out of the oven and rush out and slip it on the spindle. I used a lenght of pipe and light taps with a hammer to make sure they were seated against the back of the spindle. Then do the other side.
The oven expands the spindle adapter and allows it to slip on the spindle easier. the spindle adapters are quite thin and the thought of just pounding them on by force alone scared me. The oven trick worked great.
Good luck with it
Bobby
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South central, Minnesota
Thanks for the advice guys but my truck is staying all Ford. I guess I'll have to make some caliper brackets for some late model Mustang dual piston calipers Or maybe even some Cobra calipers.
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