Disk Brake Conversion Question
 

All,
Looking for some insight.

Has anyone done, or in the middle of, converting a 63 Tempest to front disk brakes? Doesn't seem to be anyone out there like MPbrakes or Wilwood that offer a conversion kit. The spindle seems to be the issue but, I have no idea about other year spindles being interchangeable with a 63.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

-joe

I converted mine. I used Scarebirds adapter. You reuse you spindle and hub. You have to knock the drum off your original hubs to reuse them.

So what bolt pattern are those?

Scarebird,
A few questions.

Let's say I want this car to to be capable and obviously safe to run in the single digits (9's) in the 1/4, is the factory front suspension up to it, along with your parts?

Are there any simple swaps or upgrades ?
Do you offer tubular control arms or any other suspension parts for the car?

Thanks for any information and thanks to both of you for helping.

-joe

Joe, might get with Jim L, 63Longtop.
Jim had brackets done years ago that mate up with Wilwood calipers. Bought a pair at that time, finally getting closer to getting after my '63.

Our stuff will do fine - more than enough thermal capacity. I would ask Tom S about how well the stock suspension does going 9's; he is the Little Indian guru and would know who to consult at the minimum.

No, other than disc conversions all we do are DBW LS pedal brackets. It is a bolt on thing - no machining.

Also, as far as I can tell Wilwood offers nothing for the front: too small a market for them.

I can hear the cringes from the purists before even hitting enter :eek:, but..... I'm gathering the parts to do a full Mustang II conversion with coil-overs. I'm going to replace the Trophy 4 with a V8 anyway, and this will make the whole process easier overall. New crossmember, tubular upper and lower control arms with lower strut brace eliminated, 11" rotors, power rack and pinion, fully adjustable coil-overs, and a healthy-sized stabilizer bar. I will even get to keep my 5 x 4.5" pattern wheels which I like and fit perfectly.

I don’t remember 100% but I think I used 63Longtops brackets to mount my Wilwoods in front. Same front brake set-up Tom S runs on his street car. No problems. It went together very easy. You just machine the hub a hair and add longer wheel studs and it goes right together.

I rebuilt my entire front suspension with Kanter parts and the had it converted to a mustang rack (78-93 iirc).

The board member that bought my car ended up upgrading tp and entirely custom built k-member with tubular arms and a new rack set-up. It looks like it turned out really nice. I saw video of it running mid 10’s at Norwalk this year.

Edit: I think the shop that did the updates is in PA so you may be in luck. Also, who knows, he may still have my old front suspension set-up for sale. It was all brand new and fully powder coated.

Tubular set-up

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=824599

Other thread that may be helpful

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=717829

I documented a lot on here as I built my car for reference for others. If you search some of my threads you’ll find good info from me and other board members as well.

Guys,
Just wanted to jump back on and thank everyone for their input.
Greatly appreciated.

R 70 Judge,
What Kanter parts specifically did you use and, how did they work out for you?
I do see a full front disc conversion kit that just states it fits a full size Pontiac years 1959 - 1970. Is this what you used? Curious if that'll work on a 63 Lemans. I may just give them a call.

Thanks -joe

Pretty sure I went with their full "super" bushing rebuild kit.. $639. I didn't end up using every piece of it since I converted to a rack and pinion set up. https://www.kanter.com/productdetail...Router=Gallery

I haven't seen the Kanter disc kit before so I don't know anything about it. I used the Wilwood kit with 63Longtops brackets. I'd personally go with the Wilwood set up or one of Scarebirds kits I was you.

Pretty much everything you would need to know regarding building a 63 Tempest is available if you search and dig a little here in this section. These cars are not cheap to build so prepare yourself lol

This list could possibly be outdated but this is what I ordered way back when I did my conversion.

2)Earl's#63010114 flex line
2)Earl's#961603 pipe to AN adapter
2)Earl's#989543 tubing adapter
10) Mr. Gasket#4311 studs
1)Strange Engineering#B3359 master cyl.
1)Wilwood#140-0261B brake kit

Seriously though, you should reach out to board member xitmnt2 (the first link of my last post) and ask him if he still has my old k-member setup. It was VERY nice and all brand new. He's in PA so he can't be that far away from you.

I run Wilwoods on my 61 and 63. Made my own brackets and for others. Real easy and you have a bolt on disc brake system. Not sure if you can run stock steel wheels.

Ben's sells a complete kit with your choice of bolt pattern.

https://bccpbrakes.com/

Gary,I think we have the same setup and they would not work with stock 63 wheels.Tom

If I had the ambiition I would see if there's a problem or not. I can't remember making the brackets for anyone that was going to run stock wheels.

Not at all concerned with stock wheels. It'll be all aftermarket.

I got my setup from Rick Johnson 20 plus years ago.Tom

Do you have any sets of the brackets left or possible to make another set? Also which Wilwood kit are you using with your brackets?

140-0261B After you get price if still interested I can tell you how to make them. I made mine out of 1/4" aluminum. Kinda busy now getting ready for vintage snowmobile racing.

If you could send me a PM about making the bracket I'd appreciate it. I'm definitely going to go this route.