Discs with Original Wheels?

[Andrew7026]

So I have seen a lot of people here say that they have had to upgrade to 15 inch wheels in order to fit disc brakes. However, while I have not seen any for our birds specifically, I have seen several kits for early Fords that they say will fit 14" wheels. I am aware that I would need to find different rims because the stock ones would not clear the calipers as far as offset goes, but I don't have the budget for anything more than steelies plus I really like the stock wheel covers with spinners better than anything else I have seen.
I was wondering if it is possible to get something together from those kits that would fit the bird and allow me to run basically the stock wheels.
Maybe this kit? https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Brake ... =140-13653

[GeorgeG]

The kit you referenced is for full sized Fords and Mercurys. Wilwood doesn't make a front kit for '61 - '63 TBirds. The spindles are probably different, but I'll let the brake experts chime in to confirm.

[Andrew7026]

Ok thanks. That's what I was wondering, is if the Thunderbird is considered a full size and if the spindles are the same as other full size cars. Or maybe the Fairlane?

[RedRocket]

I know that there are disc brake kits out there that will fit original14" rims because that is what my '61 has. Unfortunately, I bought the car with those brakes and don't know where the kit came from. Have you looked at ABS brakes or Jamco? Good luck.

[Alan H. Tast]

Ok thanks. That's what I was wondering, is if the Thunderbird is considered a full size and if the spindles are the same as other full size cars. Or maybe the Fairlane?

The '61-'66 T-birds' suspension system is NOTHING like the full-size '57-'64 Ford/Mercury cars, especially for the spindles. They are NOT the same. Likewise, the Fairlane/Comet spindles are also nowhere close, especially for the weight they're designed to handle. Don't doubt me.

If you are really determined for a bolt-on swap, bite the bullet and get the front brake setup for a '65-'66 T-bird, and look into what options are available to use something other than the Kelsey-Hayes 4-piston calipers. I suggest you start learning to use the 'Search' function at the upper right corner of the screen and search for 'disc brake conversion 1961' and see what turns up.

[stubbie]

Try this
https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=p ... uct_id=207