Emergency brake setup / disc brakes question '66 coupe

[60sMustang]

Can someone tell me how the emergency brake setup on my 1966 coupe would be effected by changing the rear brakes to disc instead of drums? I've found an 8" rear end from a 65 coupe that will bolt right in to my car and already has a disc brake conversion kit installed. I don't know what brand kit it is, but may be able to figure that out if needed.

My main question is about the emergency brake linkage and cables. Not familiar with rear disc brakes and how the emergency brake would be connected on each side.

Let me know if I need to provide more info. I'm going to look at the rear end and likely buy it on Tuesday, just trying to be more educated about it first.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[bubba22349]

It all depends on the type of parts that were used in the rear disk brake kit! Some OEM types and kits have a small separate set of brake shoes that press against the inside of the rotor hat. If that's what it has then they basically hook up just the same as regular drum brakes to the emergency brakes cable system. Good luck

 

[60sMustang]

It all depends on the type of parts that were used in the rear disk brake kit! Some OEM types and kits have a small separate set of brake shoes that press against the inside of the rotor hat. If that's what it has then they basicly hook up just the same as regular drum brakes to the emergency brakes cable system. Good luck

That makes sense, i assume this should be pretty obvious when I go see it correct? Any examples of what I should be looking for that you can think of or have pictures?

 

[chad]

another model (mine) has 2 pistons in there.

Some have NO emerg. in the rear.

If equiped - the cable just hooks up…a pic would B great, otherwise just describe after viewed...

 

[bubba22349]

It all depends on the type of parts that were used in the rear disk brake kit! Some OEM types and kits have a small separate set of brake shoes that press against the inside of the rotor hat. If that's what it has then they basicly hook up just the same as regular drum brakes to the emergency brakes cable system. Good luck [/quoted]

That makes sense, i assume this should be pretty obvious when I go see it correct? Any examples of what I should be looking for that you can think of or have pictures?

Yes it will be fairly obvious once you see them, some pictures in link below shows three of the most common ways and parts of adapting disk brakes on 8, 9, 7.5, and 8.8 inch Ford rear axels. The newer kits use special rear only calipers with emergency brake feature built in. Lastly some low budget kits used a weld on caliper bracket and a pair of GM front calipers these won't have an emergency brake system. Good luck

This is a Willwood aftermarket kit like described in first post the early OEM parts were semular looking too.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Wilwood-1 ... aQodg-IHfg

This is how many other newer kits and later OEM did it using a special rear only caliper with a built in emergency brake linkage and will hookup much the same as above set up
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Ford-9-In ... aQodedIOXw

This is a weld on kit for 9 inch an 8 inch is also like it there is no emergency brake on them. http://www.jegs.com/i/Right+Stuff/965/Z ... aQodcBIG-Q

 

[Econoline]

I went through this with my van. 9" rear, lots of kits or ways to diy cheap. It's been a while but I can tell you what you don't want is the GM metric caddy ones. Use ones with there own drum for the e brake. I ended up getting new drums, had the backing plates blasted and completely rebuilt the oem drums. Nothing wrong with rear drum brakes and the e brake just works. jmo

 

[chad]

The only reason I converted to rear disks is I got tired of pickin debrie out of the drums. Mud, etc washes in during off rd work.

I would not recomend converting to rear disks for a street vehicle. The drums are better for long term: cost, maintenence, & e-brakes in drums seem less complicated and stronger. These 2nd paragraph points are opinion altho I may state them like they are undisputable facts. Keep checkin in for more varied opinions.

 

[60sMustang]

Thanks for the replies, my intention was to find a rear end with drums but this one is local and already has the disc setup, so I was thinking why not change. I know it made a huge difference in the front brakes when I converted to disc.

My other thought was to track down the parts and convert it back to drums if I don't like what I see with the disc setup. I'm leaning towards this route since I would like a parking brake for sure, just converted to T5 transmission so kinda need one.

I'll post an update once I actually go see it.

Any ideas on best place(price wise) to track down the backing plates and brake parts if I decide to convert it back to drums? I want it to be 4 lug still so If I could fit a 4 lug brake setup(either one from my current rear end,7.25" or from something like a maverick) and drums on it that would save some drilling of the drums for the new bolt pattern.

 

[DannyG]

If you're interested, I have a complete set of backing plates/brakes /springs and drums I was getting ready to list for sale. They came off of a Maverick, but are the same as early Stang's.
They're heavy, but I can weigh them and calculate shipping cost on Monday..
I'd take $40 for the whole set up, plus actual freight cost...
Dan
DannyGunn@aol.com

 

[chad]

"...made a huge difference in the front brakes when I converted to disc. …"
Great Idea!
Have I heard 70 - 80% of the stoping power happens up frnt (the back just kinda follows along), the big weight (motor) is up frnt, but discs need more close attention (maintainence)?

 

[RichCreations]

"...made a huge difference in the front brakes when I converted to disc. …"
Great Idea!
Have I heard 70 - 80% of the stoping power happens up frnt (the back just kinda follows along), the big weight (motor) is up frnt, but discs need more close attention (maintainence)?

Depending on weight distribution, the front brakes do most of the braking, of course there are exceptions, old VW beetles have a 40/60 weight distribution (60% in rear) and as such the front and rear brakes both do about 50% of the braking. For the vehicles we are discussing, the front brakes should be doing about 70%...

As for maintenance, I don't really see much difference between disks/drums, disks are easier to "see" when they need maintenance, and are easier to replace/renew, drums seem to go a bit longer before needing maintenance, but heat up and fade easier, require disassembly to inspect (on my econoline, that means disassembling the front wheel bearing was well), and cost quite a bit more to renew.

 

[60sMustang]

If you're interested, I have a complete set of backing plates/brakes /springs and drums I was getting ready to list for sale. They came off of a Maverick, but are the same as early Stang's.
They're heavy, but I can weigh them and calculate shipping cost on Monday..
I'd take $40 for the whole set up, plus actual freight cost...
Dan
DannyGunn@aol.com

I'll email you my info