Just bought a 71 pinto, would like to switch over to disc brakes, i found a 11" mustang II disc brake kit on RJays but will it work with my spindles? When i bought the car he gave me disc brakes and caliper that he told me came from a 72 pinto but they were 4 lug. Did pinto have disc brakes in 72? If so maybe it would be cheaper to get the new rotors for this set up?
sorry guys i am new to the site, i think i found the topic i was looking for further down the board.
First off, :welcome: aboard! I hope your stay is a pleasant one.
There are significant differences between the early years (71-73) and the later years (74-80) as far as front brakes are concerned, and there may even be subtle differences between the early years, as I have been told the 73 is unique in and of itself. Two short answers: 1) The MII upgrade IF it is made to fit a MII, will not fit your car without significant changes/machining. Somebody did it if I remember, but they also had access to a decent machine shop. 2) If the disc brake upgrade was made specifically to fit, say a 71-72 Pinto, then yes it will fit. There are some kits out there that are specific to the earlier years, but MOST are geared towards the 74-80 and the MII. Also, some dealers/distributors are misinformed when they say theirs will fit 71-80, so buyer beware in those cases.
As far as the 72 stuff goes, yes 72 did have a disc brake option, and AFAIK, it should fit your car. Now, of course with any drum to disc upgrade, the rest of the system should be looked at as well and parts upgraded/rebuilt as necessary, i.e., master cylinder, hard lines, flex lines, proportioning valve, etc.
P.S. I am still learning about the earlier cars, as I have for the most part only dealt with '77 and later Pintos, and Mustang IIs.
Thanks for the reply i have been reading post for the last week trying to get some ideas on my project, and a lot of them have been very helpfull as i know probably nothing on 71 pinto parts. I would love to buy something made for the car but if not i will make it work just needed pointed in rite direction.
Another ? if i put the 72 disc brakes on my car is the master cyclinder campatible or is it different?\
I am thinking if the wheel bearings are the same on the mustang II then i would make the brackett.
The back end is done ladder bars, 8 inch, 5 lugs, new brakes, but now the front end. If any one has
the plan feel free to lay it on me. I would love the help
David.
Disc brakes were optional on both 71 and 72. Since you presently have drum front brakes, you will need the early disc brake: spindles (these are different), calipers, rotors, and small parts. The drum spindles have different brake mounting hole locations than the disc spindle. I do not know if the disc rotors will fit on the drum spindles (hopefully somebody will chime in on this).
Ford lists 5 different part numbers for the disc-drum and 71-72 master cylinders. They all have a 15/16" bores. I do not know what they changed if anything (maybe different pressure valve). If you also have access to a disc master cylinder, I would use it.
In case you have not run across this link, it is a good write up on conversion from stock disc to 11" 5-lug disc brakes for the early models.
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php?topic=1103.0
Thanks Jerry, i do have a 72 spindle with caliper and rotor, so i could go this way. The spindle is good, rotor and caliper probably needs replaced. This would probably be the easiest way to go and probably would give plenty of whoa to the to the little fellow. I appreciate the link i will read it.
I am going with the v8 5sp and it will be a little heavier so i figured since i am going to have to buy stuff one way or the other i should find out what is the norm for this kind of swap on a pinto i would hate to go one way to find that for a little more i could have had a better setup.Thanks again for the input!!!!!