FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » 65 front disc brake conversion

    • 1 of 1

       

    10/01/2020 5:40 AM  #1

    mark1965
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    Registered: 4/03/2013
    Posts: 172

    65 front disc brake conversion

    What kits is everyone using to convert the front drums to front disc brakes would just like to get some feedback before I make a purchase   Have a 65 coupe with 302 converting to power brakes

     

    10/01/2020 7:58 AM  #2

    Bullet Bob
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,887

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    Lots of options.  SSBC (are they still in bidness?) makes improved versions of the original K-H brakes.  I used the Kelsey/Hayes setup on our 66 when I first converted it to discs and they work well and will fit under 14" wheels.
    Then when I "majored" the car I went to the 08-14 Mustang GT 12.5" brakes but had to go to 17" wheels to make everything fit.  There are about a dozen outfits that make "Kits" so you'll have to decide what you want as far as wheel size, stock or after market look, ease of installation, etc.  One of the main things to consider, I think, is the availability of replacement parts.  That's why I used MS's brackets and the late Mustang brakes...parts will be around for a long time.  And....if you have decent vacuum on a booster they stop very well.

    BB1

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    10/01/2020 8:23 AM  #3

    TimC
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Wheaton, Illinois
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 876

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    Automatic or manual trans?

     

    10/01/2020 9:32 AM  #4

    BillyC
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 966

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    I used Mustang Steve’s  brackets front and rear with the MS power conversion. I’m using 08 GT on the front and ‘17 on the rear with 17” wheels. Install was relatively simple and they work great.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

    10/01/2020 9:44 AM  #5

    Chaplin
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    Registered: 3/14/2015
    Posts: 1,027

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    If you are willing to go to 17s, I would use MS brackets every time. I have them front and rear with the power brake booster.

     

    10/01/2020 11:19 AM  #6

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,336

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    Since I was already running 18” wheels, I went with Mustang Steve’s brackets for 2016 GT brakes front and rear.
    I purchased calipers from a couple of different sellers on EBay.
    Purchased Raybestos rotors from RockAuto.

    I wanted to use Ford calipers for ease of replacement/repairs in future.
    Another factor I looked at was initial cost.
    A lot of the earlier Cobra calipers were going for gold...used and abused.
    Didn’t want that headache.
    Both sets of calipers came from low mileage donors, so I figured I had at least 50-75k miles before needing any major work and no core charges.

    18” wheels made it easy to fit the 14” rotors up front.

    Not sure if any 17” wheels will clear 14” rotors.

    Both kits are well made and will outlast the car and me.

     

    10/01/2020 4:48 PM  #7

    Toploader
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    Registered: 4/15/2013
    Posts: 1,640

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Lots of options.  SSBC (are they still in bidness?) makes improved versions of the original K-H brakes.  I used the Kelsey/Hayes setup on our 66 when I first converted it to discs and they work well and will fit under 14" wheels.
    Then when I "majored" the car I went to the 08-14 Mustang GT 12.5" brakes but had to go to 17" wheels to make everything fit.  There are about a dozen outfits that make "Kits" so you'll have to decide what you want as far as wheel size, stock or after market look, ease of installation, etc.  One of the main things to consider, I think, is the availability of replacement parts.  That's why I used MS's brackets and the late Mustang brakes...parts will be around for a long time.  And....if you have decent vacuum on a booster they stop very well.
    BB1

    I went this route and purchased the SSBC kit. It was relatively easy to install and they are definitely better than the standard drums. SSBC went out of business though, so who knows what this means long term? I am not sure about the quality of brake pads used with the conversion kits (I experienced some brake fade on a drive through the mountains a while back) and plan to get another set of brake pads in the near future. That is another thing to think of... Will the brake pads be something that you can pick up from an O'Reilys, or Auto Zone, or Advanced Auto, or Napa?
     

    Last edited by Stevo (10/01/2020 4:51 PM)

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
     

    10/02/2020 12:52 PM  #8

    lowercasesteve
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Auburn, Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,254

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    SSBC went out of business a few years ago, but someone else has reopened the brand.

    https://ssbc-usa.com/

    Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
     

    10/02/2020 2:53 PM  #9

    Rudi
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,976

    Re: 65 front disc brake conversion

    lowercasesteve wrote:

    SSBC went out of business a few years ago, but someone else has reopened the brand.

    https://ssbc-usa.com/

     
    The skinny is that they went insolvent after “dad” retired. The boys screwed up things and some one else in the family took over.
    About an hour drive from me, I have been at the facility a couple times and they are still in the same location as before.
    The building, manufacturing shop and processing  was spotlessly clean, very impressive. I would not hesitate to deal with again if needed.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

     

    1 of 1

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  »  65 front disc brake conversion

    • Board footera


    REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.