My Maverick has some squishy brakes. Driving it home I felt like I was waiting an eternity for it to actually come to a complete stop. I havent given it a proper look (waiting on a friend to return my jack!) but, I'm trying to decide whether it would be in my best interest to just replace the front drum brakes with discs. Honestly, I havent had the smoothest luck with brake work, and I believe it's intimidated me. As much as I love the old cars, I've spoiled myself with the more grabby disc brakes on newer vehicles. It gives me such a sense security. ;-) What do you think would be wiser? I can adapt to drums I'm sure....but in terms of longevity/maintenance, just trying to weigh it out.
Go disc! You'll love it. However, do it right! There is a complete kit that kicks ass! It's made by a company called CPR. Check it out.
Personally I have no problems with drum brakes on a stock vehicle. Drums have to be done right as well. All new parts and hardware. Flush out the old fluid. Buy quality parts. Go ahead and replace the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses, shoes and hardware including adjusters. If quality parts are used and the brakes are installed and adjusted properly, they'll give you years of service.
Definitely get some disks on the front. The manual 11" stock Maverick/Comet front disks work great -- I don't feel a need for power disks. But, if you have to buy new rotors, calipers, and master cyl as part of a transplant you might be close to the cost of the kit with all new stuff.
You can also do a direct swap from a granada, everything is a direct swap. however you will need the complete brake system off of the donor car. Spindles/rotors/calipers/master cyl./and porportioning valve. I recomend all new lines and hoses . I am in the process of this now. I am also using the front springs because mine are wore out, and the granada sits ALOT higher in the front. I am going for a tall front end for the weight transfer to the rear tires.
There's alot of options out there. You'll need to do some research on the subject and determine what option fits your budget. Mine has disc up front so I'm looking at these for the back. http://www.mustangsteve.com/cobrabrakes.html
Yep, she'll be my daily driver. Well, once I can find replacement seats for the broken down skeleton of a bench I just pulled out of it.
Your off to a good start by joining the forum. Post what you need in the wanted section. You may find good deals on what you need locally. There are some good people on this forum that will help you out.
I agree w/ those who say go disk. No matter how often u drive the car u'll appreciate the better stopping performance. Since u got to do the whole brake thing anyway - might as well make it a one time thing. Disk are easier to maintain, have less issues w/ car pulling to one side when ur stopping and less tendency to fade. As far as master cyl. go - I go for new. Do urself a favor and go w/ disk - u won't regret it.
One thing with going disc brakes (which I recommend)....you will have a 5-lug front end and a 4-lug back end. Now you will have to carry two spare tires...or swap out the rear axle for a 5-lug set-up.
It all boils down to how much you want to modify your car and how much of a budget you have. You can re-do the drum brakes for well under $200 if you do the work yourself. The disc swap requires more mechanical ability and quite a bit more cash. Then as Craig said you have to think about swapping out the rear end to a 5 lug set up. I've had many 60s vintage Mustangs and Fords....all have had drum brakes and I had no problems with them. If your gonna stick with your 6 banger I see no need to convert to discs. Perhaps you need to explain your plans for the car. Many here would suggest a stroker small block, an aftermarket frt suspension set up, a 9 inch pos rear end and more but that may not be in your budget. It sure isn't in mine.
There's a reason they don't put drum brakes anymore on cars, well on the front. Compared to disc brakes they have many draw backs, It's down right scary if your dive with them in a big city like where I live. After they're installed disc brakes are a breeze to work on compared to drum brakes. Here's another palace to get a complete bolt in kit from: http://www.discbrakeswap.com/
I agree with predfan on those points Discs are easier to maintain and aren't prone to brake fade. If you replace and overhaul the drums like mentioned though, they'll do their job they were designed to do. Stop your car. Drums are seen as primitive and old, but so is a carburetor, so is manual window cranks haha. They worked for my grandparents and parents for years and work fine in my opinion. I would just pick based on your build and budget.
