I've been reading and reading and I'm still confused over exactly what parts I will be looking for to do a rear disc swap. Is it the entire axle I have to get from the donor car or is it just the stuff at each end? Is it a direct bolt on or will I have to fab something up to make things fit? I already have front discs but I want to be as safe as possible before putting in a v8 into my car. So again, can someone just sum it up for me if I'm reading things right?
You don't really need rear discs for a V8. The front discs will do 90% of the braking. So, Unless you're planning on road racing it, the rear drums are fine as is. Spend your money on either a 9" swap or a better rear gear ratio for the rear., including traction-loc.
It is just the stuff at the axle ends that need to be replaced - I bought a set of disc brake brackets for my 9 inch along with matching rotors from Speedway Motors - everything bolts up to the 4 bolts on the axle flange and the caliper brackets are adjustable with shims so you can tune in your caliper to be centered on the rotor - the kit takes 78 to 84 GM Metric front calipers as I have used - the instructions also list a parking brake rear caliper that can be used if you want to go that way - I believe these might work on 8 inch rear too but you would have to check the Speedway catalog
Ok thanks for the heads up. I just want a nice cruiser and if the fronts are good enough, I'll pass on the rear discs and look to upgrade the 2.78 gears currently on the car. any suggestions?
True you don't really need rear disc brakes but my rear was already a disc rear from a Versailles - The parts from Speedway were a lot lighter than the stock Lincoln parts and a whole lot easier to replace if I needed to Something in the 3.20 to 3.50 range are a nice versatile gear for performance and cruising
