Scarebird Disc Brakes

[Jim Shepard]

For anyone out there who’s using the Scarebird disc brake conversion: does it work with the stock MOPAR 15” 4.5” wide wheel?

[lostviking]

It should. The hubs use 5x4.5 bolt circle. I can't remember right now if the lug nuts came with the kit or not, but are just standard 1/2-20.

[PT Moe]

I just put them on my '41 with 16" wheels. Instructions called for Lincoln MK VII rotors and Chev Celebrity calipers. I'll check clearance with my 16's tomorrow and you can  judge from that for 15's. 

No plumbing work on mine yet. That will be a head scratcher for me.

[Jim Shepard]

Thanks. Clearance issues is what I was getting at. I knew the bolt pattern was correct.

[rockingjd]

I had to add a 1/4" wide wheel spacer on my factory 16" rims.

[PT Moe]

Checked mine, tough spot to measure. It's just under 3/4" on my stock 16's. I took a piece of 3/4" thick wood on top of the caliper and it almost fit between but hit the wheel. Doing mine I did notice that the Lincoln rotors in the instructions are a little bigger that the Ford Probe rotors they state on the web site. I didn't use any wheel spacers. Looks close but you might be ok but I would check with Scarebird.

Edited April 4, 2022 by PT Moe

[Jim Shepard]

I did check with Scarebird and they said it “should work.” Not very reassuring…

[lostviking]

I used a 1 inch thick bolt pattern adapter when I was using the stock wheels. I then put some Jeep 15 inch wheels that had a 4 inch back space on. Those fit also, but they rubbed on the steering arms, so I added a 1/4 spacer. The fixed that, but then the tire still rubs. The Scarebird stuff is fine, it was the back spacing causing the steering to interfere for me. I'm going back to my adapters and stock wheels.

 

Mine is a WD-15 for the bolt pattern is 5x5. If everything else is the same, they seem to have 3 or slightly more back space, then they should clear the caliper just fine.

 

Tim

[PT81PlymouthPickup]

The Scarebird kit I bought a couple years ago called for 1983-92 Chevy S-10 4WD Calipers and 1993-96 Ford Probe rotors. There was plenty of clearance with my 16" rims. I would guess that 15" rims would also fit?

 

I wondered why the change to Lincoln MK VII rotors and Chev Celebrity calipers? I sent an email Mark at Scarebird to ask why the change and if the mounting brackets are the same as mine? I did not get a response. Anyone know? 

[lostviking]

I like the way the brake hose attaches on yours. The Chev Celebrity calipers mount fore to aft, so the hose has to make a 90deg turn. I think the way yours are is better. I think the website still had the older information on it when I bought mine. The instructions were different, so I asked...but only which I should buy, not why they changed.

[BGlenn]

It has been 2 years since this thread, but just for the record, my Scarebird used Galaxy rotors and Ram calipers.  Though the bolt pattern was right on, my 15's would not work.  I went to 16's.  Now, this was a 65 Chrysler New Yorker.  I believe Scarebird is out of business, but they worked with me.  I am sure they could find smaller rotors with the right bolt pattern that would work.  I hope I am wrong that they went out of business.  

[PT Moe]

I think they are back possibly under new management. Did them on my '41 pickup but still working on the plumbing.

 

[BGlenn]

That is wonderful news!  I will be going back to them.