Drdialtone Posted November 16, 2010 Report Posted November 16, 2010 Hello! I am new to the forum and have a problem. I recently purchased a 47 Special Deluxe Club Coupe - LOVE IT. However, sometime in it's history someone converted the front drum brakes to disk. The majority of the front suspension looks original except of course the disks. Does anyone know of a 'typical' conversion like this? How do I identify the rotors and calipers?! Secondly, the rear brakes are also not original. Which means a different wheel cylinder and adjusting mechanism. (No lobe adjustors at the bottom of the shoes). And the drums are different. Any ideas? I have a leaking rear cylinder that I need to replace but can't figure out which one is on there! Thanks, any info would be most appreciated. Kirk Quote
Young Ed Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 I think in your case pictures of each setup would be very helpful. There are 3-4 different disk brake conversions and don't think they all use the same caliper or rotor. Quote
old rat 49 Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 Any casting numbers may help too. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Posted November 17, 2010 Great! I do have pictures and some casting numbers... next challenge is to figure out "how" to get the pics posted! Thanks for the quick responses!!! Quote
Olddaddy Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 What is the bolt pattern on the rotor? If it's 5 on 4 1/2" Mopar it may be one of my kits. If so, I can help you out with part numbers. As mentioned pics will be helpful. I can identify my kit if I can see a pic of the caliper and mounting hardware. Quote
Young Ed Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 Charlie do you keep any records of previous purchases? If so Kirk may be able to PM you the name of the guy he bought the car from. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Posted November 17, 2010 Hey! The bolt pattern is "five", not sure of the measurements, but the stock rims fit the bolt pattern. I bought the car from Scott Nicols, who bought it from Rich O'Donnell. I contacted Rich and he said the previous owner may have made the conversion. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Posted November 17, 2010 Also here are pics of the rear drum brakes. Quote
Young Ed Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 Not sure on the fronts but I can tell you the back has had an entire rear axle swap not just brakes. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Posted November 17, 2010 Ed, suspected that. I have pictures of the rear axle I'll post tonight. Any ideas on what it may be from? A conversion to change the drive line? (Also not stock) Quote
Don Coatney Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 Your calipers look much like what I am using. I have a PLYDO bracket. Your rear brakes also look like what I am using. I have installed a Mopar 8 1/4" differential from a 1974 Dodge Charger. But at best this is a wild guess. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Posted November 17, 2010 Don, This is VERY helpful. From your picture this looks just like my front disk/caliper. Question: If I want to do a front suspension rebuild (bushings, tie rod ends, etc.) and I have your rotor set up, do I need to buy any other fittings from the kit? Are there different wheel bearings for example? THANKS! I now have a glimmer of hope and less panic about what the heck do I do about this?!! Quote
Don Coatney Posted November 17, 2010 Report Posted November 17, 2010 Don, This is VERY helpful. From your picture this looks just like my front disk/caliper. Question: If I want to do a front suspension rebuild (bushings, tie rod ends, etc.) and I have your rotor set up, do I need to buy any other fittings from the kit? Are there different wheel bearings for example? THANKS! I now have a glimmer of hope and less panic about what the heck do I do about this?!! I did not buy a "kit" per say. I simply bought the basic mounting plate and I believe it came with some bearing spacers but it has been several years so I dont recall exactly. I then bought the recommended parts from several suppliers pictured below. I did not rebuild my front suspension as it was not necessary at the time I installed my disc brakes. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Posted November 17, 2010 Don, here are the axle pictures. Any ideas? Quote
Frank Elder Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 According to the first picture the tag says 2.75 Those are some serious mileage/low rpm gears. Quote
dezeldoc Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 It looks like a 9", the tale tale is a 9" has 1 bolt on the bottom you cannot get a socket on and an 8" you can get to all of the bolts with a socket. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Posted November 18, 2010 OK, so if it's a 9 Ford, does that mean the wheel cylinders are Ford? Any guesses on year range for buying replacements? Right now the drums and shoes are in good shape, but one of the wheel cylinders is leaking (ah, not so good). Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Posted November 18, 2010 Oh, and Frankie47, not to sound like a complete dope, but are the 2.75 gears a good thing? 8-o Quote
greg g Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 great for relaxed hiway cruising, stump pullin and drag racin, not so much. Quote
Drdialtone Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Posted November 18, 2010 Gotcha! I had no intention of having "Phyllis" drag racin' so that's good!! Quote
Frank Elder Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 Oh, and Frankie47, not to sound like a complete dope, but are the 2.75 gears a good thing? 8-o Mosy of us are looking for gears in the high 3's as a comprimise, 2's are for cruising no low end grunt, you won't be stoplight racing:D Most of these car came with gears in the low 4's, perfect for getting up to speed with less horse power, but they tend to peak in the 50-65 mph range and are at higher rpms than most people are comfy with. So some change out gearing and others install overdrive, some putt around at 40-50 mph.....and a limited few just rip around like wildmen:eek: The good news for you is a ferd 9 is very strong and with those gears it should never have a problem as long as you keep up on fluid, seals, etc. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 Mosy of us are looking for gears in the high 3's as a comprimise, 2's are for cruising no low end grunt, you won't be stoplight racing:DMost of these car came with gears in the low 4's, perfect for getting up to speed with less horse power, but they tend to peak in the 50-65 mph range and are at higher rpms than most people are comfy with. So some change out gearing and others install overdrive, some putt around at 40-50 mph.....and a limited few just rip around like wildmen:eek: The good news for you is a ferd 9 is very strong and with those gears it should never have a problem as long as you keep up on fluid, seals, etc. sounds like time to stop and read another magazine... Quote
Frank Elder Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 sounds like time to stop and read another magazine... I don't get what you are saying Tim. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 18, 2010 Report Posted November 18, 2010 sorry Frankie..was not for you directly...It did not include the quote you quoted above...that was the error... Quote
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