just wondering what disc's would work on the 71 ? i went to the pick n pull and was told nothing would work for the conversion. the guy i asked looks like he's been around for a while . ive been lookig at other posts and didnt see any on a 71.
You were told that "nothing would work"? Well you were told wrong. The disc brakes from '74-'77 Mavericks/Comets, and '75-'80 Granadas, Mercury Monarchs, and Lincoln Versailles will bolt right on...
is there any thing that i have to modify or just un bolt and bolt on? im going to do rear as well other than make my own line. do i need a porposhioning valve? what kind? sorry bout all the questions just trying to get all the info that i can at once. going to an automotive trade school and want to try and get stuff done there while i got there tools.
Rear brakes are a different story. There are aftermarket brakes available for that. Some people have used Lincoln Versailles rear discs, but they require a rearend swap, and really aren't all that great anyway... As for the fronts, the previously mentioned systems will bolt right on. This is assuming you do not convert to power brakes. Some bending and reflaring of brake lines is sometimes neccessary, but that's about the only modification, provided that you get all the components from the donor vehicle. The most important components to get from the donor vehicle are the spindles, as they are not reproduced. All of the other parts can be purchased new, such as calipers, rotors, wheel bearings, flex-hoses, and master cylinder. I have performed this conversion on two Mavericks, and I just had the old calipers rebuilt, as the rebuild kits are only 2-dollars each. New calipers are no more than $20 each. Rotors are $25-$35. Pads are about $15. As for the proportioning valve, you do not neccessarily need one, but they are good to have. '74 Mavericks were available with optional disc brakes, and did not use a prop-valve. They used the same distribution block as the drum brake-equipped cars, as well as the same master cylinder. From '75-'77, all disc brake-equipped Mavericks/Comets had an actual proportioning valve. The sole purpose of a proportioning valve is to reduce rear-wheel lock up under hard braking conditions. Since my '73 never had one to begin with, it is no worse off not having one now. It basically has the 1974 disc brake option now. If you need more information on this subject, simply use the Search feature here and you will find plenty...
You need to watch out for the hub size and tie rod ends on a 71. The later discs use a large hub, if you expect to reuse your stock rims, get small hub discs off an older car. 69 Stang, Cougar 68 Fairlane, Torino, Montego, Cyclone, Falcon These use small hub, 5 lug discs that bolt in. 70-73 Stang 69 Fairlane, etc... Granada, Monarch, Maverick All these use the large hub 5 lug that will bolt in. It all depends on the year of the donor and the reciever. Tie rod ends and change of rims could be required... Not hard to do, but just giving you a heads up. Dave
Another thing to consider is, if your using the stock steel wheels on your car now, they might not fit on the disc brake rotors, the front hub on the rotor is much bigger than the drum.
Okay, so new spindles are reproduced. THey didn't used to be. I'll bet they're expensive. It's worth it if you cannot find some in a junkyard...
