Author Topic: 71 spindle to 74 spindle (Read 1444 times)

Jerry merrill · « **on:** July 23, 2012, 04:19:20 PM »

I am still a little confused about this conversion. Can I put 74 and up spindles on a 71. I know that the tie rod end diameter is different and would need to be reamed out and the brake rotors would need to be changed, but would this work?

pintoman1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2012, 07:31:53 PM »

yes, but why would you have to change the rotors? i didn't. but after awhile i went with the 5-lug rotors, so yes i changed rotors. you can still use the 4-lug rotors you have with no problems.

Jerry merrill · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2012, 11:59:54 PM »

Thanks for the info. Are you using the 74 and up calipers?

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:40:24 AM »

Just use ALL '74-up parts on the '74-up spindles.....

oldkayaker · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2012, 11:19:47 AM »

Just a clarification on "the tie rod end diameter is different and would need to be reamed out ". The 74+ spindle tapered tie rod hole is larger than the 71-72 tie rod end. So reaming it out will not fix this mismatch. Beyond custom fabrication, I have not seen an easy solution for this yet.

Based on the great thread below, the 71-73 calipers do not bolt up properly to the 74+ spindles. Using the later calipers sounds like the easiest solution here.
http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/front-disc-brakes-(4-5-lug)/msg8025/#msg8025

pintoman1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:01:47 PM »

yes i am using 77 bobcat calipers.

bbobcat75 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2012, 08:34:45 AM »

these brakes have me soooo confused!!
have a 75 bobcat and the front brakes are the same as the 74-80, no problems there!!

now my 78 wagon is a different story, has 74-80 calipers but has the 71-73 rotors, was replacing the rotors and seals and pads to find out the 74-80 rotors are taller then the 71-73. when i put the 74-80 rotors on the center spindal nut would be tight and the rotor was still way tooo loose, now the bearings for 71-80 all the same and same with the rear seal!!! so im guessing some one put 71-73 spindals on my 78 but can not figure out why, doesnt make much sense to me!!!

good luck with the brakes on these cars, what a pain!!!

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2012, 10:12:26 AM »

Quote from: bbobcat75 on July 25, 2012, 08:34:45 AM

these brakes have me soooo confused!!
have a 75 bobcat and the front brakes are the same as the 74-80, no problems there!!

now my 78 wagon is a different story, has 74-80 calipers but has the 71-73 rotors, was replacing the rotors and seals and pads to find out the 74-80 rotors are taller then the 71-73. when i put the 74-80 rotors on the center spindal nut would be tight and the rotor was still way tooo loose, now the bearings for 71-80 all the same and same with the rear seal!!! so im guessing some one put 71-73 spindals on my 78 but can not figure out why, doesnt make much sense to me!!!

good luck with the brakes on these cars, what a pain!!!

Or you got the wrong replacement rotors. ''74-up rotors will bolt on early spindles. I wonder if you had Falcon or early Mustang rotors by mistake....

bbobcat75 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2012, 02:51:44 PM »

i wondered the same thing but federated has a different part number for those rotors then pintos but could have been mis boxed!!!

i put 71-73 rotors on so i could use my early mags!!!

rbohm · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2012, 08:29:48 PM »

Quote from: Pinto5.0 on July 25, 2012, 10:12:26 AM

Or you got the wrong replacement rotors. ''74-up rotors will bolt on early spindles. I wonder if you had Falcon or early Mustang rotors by mistake....

early falcons and mustangs did not have disc brakes on six cylinder models, and the wheel bolt patterns are different as well by 1/4"

bbobcat75 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2012, 08:46:20 AM »

im trying to figure out what the deal is.

so 71-80 spindals are the same, meaning that the rotors off a 71 will fit and 80 and 76 rotors will fit a 72.

correct??

i know that when i got the rotors from the parts store they where way!!! taller
meaning when i set them on the work bench and compared they where at least 1/4 taller.

thanks
eric

bbobcat75 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2012, 04:44:53 PM »

so my guess is the spindals have to be different, they use different rotors here are the specs.
the first one is a 71-73 and the second is the 74-80!

Srt · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2012, 03:14:21 AM »

Quote from: oldkayaker on July 24, 2012, 11:19:47 AM

". The 74+ spindle tapered tie rod hole is larger than the 71-72 tie rod end. So reaming it out will not fix this mismatch."

just a thought (regardless of the rotor mismatch) could it be that the 74 + tie rod ends can be used with the 71-72 rack? are the thread specs as well as length, the same?

http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/front-disc-brakes-(4-5-lug)/msg8025/#msg8025

oldkayaker · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2012, 06:54:22 AM »

bbobcat75, Thanks for those rotor details. I had thought the hub size was the only difference.

Srt, the 71-72 tie rod is 1/2" by 20 while the 79 I have measures about 9/16"? by 18. I thought these were supposed to be metric cars? The lengths are about the same. Flamming River who sells 71-72 racks said most people use a straight bolt to attach a heim joint to the spindle steering arm on race cars. The 71-72 spindle tapered steering hole looks like it could be drilled out to a straight 1/2" hole. I believe the durability of a quality heim joint on a daily driver would be okay, but have no experience.

bbobcat75 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2012, 08:11:37 AM »

no problem oldkayaker.

i have been trying to figure out why the rotors i got at he parts stores would not fit my 78, and the only thing i can figure out is that someone has put 71-73 spindals on my 78, got a set of rotors from pintoman for a 72 he had and they fit perfectly, the 74-80 are tooo tall, when you put the center nut on the spindal the rotor is way!!! to loose, so my conclusion is that they are way diiferent!! hope this helps anyone out there!!!

racer99 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2012, 10:39:58 AM »

Quote from: oldkayaker on July 28, 2012, 06:54:22 AM

bbobcat75, Thanks for those rotor details. Flamming River who sells 71-72 racks said most people use a straight bolt to attach a heim joint to the spindle steering arm on race cars. The 71-72 spindle tapered steering hole looks like it could be drilled out to a straight 1/2" hole. I believe the durability of a quality heim joint on a daily driver would be okay, but have no experience.

Heims on a dd isnt a good idea.Even with the dust seals that are available you want to
inspect and clean them on a regular basis. Ask me how I know.

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2012, 09:02:00 PM »

Dont run heims on a driver.

oldkayaker · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:42:13 PM »

Been doing some internet searching. If you are still interested in using a 71-72 tie rod end with a 74-80 spindle, found an adapter bushing that might work, see link for TRB-65GR. The vendor would not share the dimensions of his adapter bushing, but checking Ford component measurements, it looks like it should work. If taking a chance on this, recommend first obtaining one to see if it fits properly before buying a second. Have fun.
http://www.mustangsteve.com/tierodbushings.html

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Author Topic: 71 spindle to 74 spindle (Read 1444 times)