I am replacing my front brakes (factory disc) on my 73 and upon pricing the cost for rotors, would like to know if a 74 rotor will work in lieu of a 73 with out changing any of the other hardware. If not, need to find a source to update to 74 front brakes. I am looking at replacing the rotors, calipers and pads so if I am going to do it, now is the time. Thanks for the input.
i kind of ran into the same problem, have a 78 wagon ordered 78 rotors which are the same 74-80, got them in and they where too wide from the inner and outer wheel bearings, after further research some one had put 73 or 72 spindals on the front of my 78, what a pain the rotors are atleast 100 more then the 74-80 rotors, got luck some one on here had a used set but like new that i picked up for half the cost of a new one, so my only real help is to find a 74-80 spindal and you can upgrade to the 74-80 rotors, the weird thing is the wheel bearings are the same 72-80. got to love owing a ford!!
hope some of this helps
eric
Quote from: bbobcat75 on September 01, 2012, 10:15:09 PM
i kind of ran into the same problem, have a 78 wagon ordered 78 rotors which are the same 74-80, got them in and they where too wide from the inner and outer wheel bearings, after further research some one had put 73 or 72 spindals on the front of my 78, what a pain the rotors are atleast 100 more then the 74-80 rotors, got luck some one on here had a used set but like new that i picked up for half the cost of a new one, so my only real help is to find a 74-80 spindal and you can upgrade to the 74-80 rotors, the weird thing is the wheel bearings are the same 72-80. got to love owing a ford!!
hope some of this helps
eric
That is what I am doing. I am putting drop spindles on my 73, but finding that my one of my rotors is trashed. What I want to know is if I put on a 74 Rotor, can I still use my 73 brakes or should I just upgrade the whole thing since I am already 1/2 way there with the spindle...
I am already leaning towards full upgrade and just get over it. If I drive this more as I am planning on doing, then it may be in my best interest to go for the upgrade and have less cost from then on for rotor replacement. It also opens me up to upgraded rotors at a later date.
if you have everything off a 74 i would go ahead and upgrade it all the parts are way easier to find plus much cheaper!! just my 2 cents
eric
wish i had a set of 74-80 spindals would get my wagon back to the right rotors.
Quote from: bbobcat75 on September 03, 2012, 01:03:41 PMwish i had a set of 74-80 spindals would get my wagon back to the right rotors.
You need the caliper brackets as well as '74-up calipers, pads & lines plus the correct tie rod ends for either power or manual rack as well. You need a donor car to strip out.....
the calipers and pads are the orginal 74-80 just have 73 rotors.?.?
thanks for the info though.
Quote from: bbobcat75 on September 04, 2012, 01:30:15 PM
the calipers and pads are the orginal 74-80 just have 73 rotors.?.?
thanks for the info though.
Now I'm really confused about your brakes. '71-'73 calipers don't interchange with '74-up versions & neither do the caliper brackets. At least that's what I've read over the years.
(http://static.speedwaymotors.com/RS/SR/Product/91031944_R.jpg)
Sorry for all of the confusion, thanks for the replies. After pricing the cost of the front brakes on the 73 with my labor at around $300, I looked for better options. Checked my local yards with no luck on either a mustang II or later pinto. Started going through a few other options, and went with Speedway Motors. Between them and Autozone, I could actually assemble the complete brake system using new parts (unless I missed something) for around 250 plus shipping but was not sure if I missed something. I then kept looking and found the item pictured above [size=78%]http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustang-II-Complete-11-Inch-Brake-Kit-Ford-Bolt-Pattern,2008.html (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustang-II-Complete-11-Inch-Brake-Kit-Ford-Bolt-Pattern,2008.html)[/size][size=78%]. It is meant for 74+ pinto plus Mustang II and put bigger brakes on the car for around 255 plus shipping complete. Since I have the mustang 2 drop spindle, there should be no issue. Now I just need to get 5 lug wheels on the car. anyone want Mustang Turbine wheels? I seem to have a set available. [/size]
[size=78%]So far, the only issue I have found is that I had to cut the MII springs 1 coil, and that I have a positive camber. The tie rod ends do fit, but are worn, so they will be replaced. [/size]
[size=78%]Here is how the car sits after the new springs with drop spindles are installed. Currently missing brakes and steering is not connected since it will be redone and [/size]aligned[size=78%] next weekend[/size]
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/546572_10151015823446965_1371236000_n.jpg)
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/530262_10151015823526965_1154226672_n.jpg)
Quote from: Pinto5.0 on September 04, 2012, 05:29:20 PM
Now I'm really confused about your brakes. '71-'73 calipers don't interchange with '74-up versions & neither do the caliper brackets. At least that's what I've read over the years.
Yea, I'm confused as well. Without a doubt everything about the front suspension and brakes are different between the two and will not interchange. Everything is smaller and mounts differently on the early cars including the a-arms and ball joints. So you now have 74 spindles on a 73??? Hmmmm.......
Quote from: 71pintoracer on September 04, 2012, 09:09:35 PM
Yea, I'm confused as well. Without a doubt everything about the front suspension and brakes are different between the two and will not interchange. Everything is smaller and mounts differently on the early cars including the a-arms and ball joints. So you now have 74 spindles on a 73??? Hmmmm.......
Yes I do. I have done my homework and have found that on the 73 at least, there is some interchange with the Mustang II. Using Autozone, Rock Auto, Kragen and other part websites, I do look for pinto parts, but will also look up a 76 Mustang II for the same part. Interchange may not be listed, but will sell the same part for both applications. The ball joints are the same in both applications. Here is a picture of the difference in the spindles. The drop spindle is about 3/4" taller causing my a arms to not be even.
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/394338_10151013244556965_737937342_n.jpg)
I believe in 74, there was more space between the a arms to account for the difference in height for the spindle. With what I have done, it has created positive camber. If there is no more room for adjustment at the alignment shop, I may need to go with either an adjustable upper or lower arm, but I am not there yet.
Looking at pictures of 74 suspension, I may be tempted to try to install the lower or upper arms as the method of installation looks close to what I have. If someone has some lying around and is interested to see if it fits in a 73, let me know. Taking it apart is easy, but involves either Pandora or a can of worms.
If you want to keep track, follow on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Frankenpinto/348192476964 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Frankenpinto/348192476964)
Try a 1/4" thick spacer(an 8" long piece of 1" wide hot rolled will do) drilled for the T-bolts to fit through under the upper A-arm. The remaining 1/2" is negligible....
There is enough thread on the T-bolts for 1/4" but not much more unless someone makes longer versions.
Quote from: Pinto5.0 on September 05, 2012, 03:39:32 PM
Try a 1/4" thick spacer(an 8" long piece of 1" wide hot rolled will do) drilled for the T-bolts to fit through under the upper A-arm. The remaining 1/2" is negligible....
There is enough thread on the T-bolts for 1/4" but not much more unless someone makes longer versions.
Thanks for the tip. I will give it a try. I will also look for longer t bolts.