Brake conversion question: Front Disc - 1962 Comet

[Schooley]

While my '62 is in the shop for body work, I've been picking up various parts and interior fiddly bits to make her a bit cleaner and complete. I've also been looking into a conversion/swap of the front braking system. I've been scouring the forums and parts websites for the safest and most efficient front disk break kits. I've run into a lot of options, and I was wondering if I could get some talk from real Comet owners. I've seen the Granada swap, I've also read things about the proportioning value, and I've found kits that say I need to switch to a 63-65 upper control arm ... Assuming I have 14" 4-lug wheels on the car now, what would be the best and most complete packaged kit to go with? I would like to do this with as little conversion and unoriginal mangling as possible.

Thanks!

[lavron]

I think that the Granda swap would probably be the least changing or the Scarebird conversion if it is 4 lug, I didn't notice if you had a 6 or a V8, 6 will be 4 lug and V8 5 lug, I do think you need to change control arms but it isn't that big a deal when doing the Granda swap.

I am not that familiar with '62s so one of the early guys will know all this for sure.

See Ya,
Mike

[Schooley]

I think that the Granda swap would probably be the least changing or the Scarebird conversion if it is 4 lug, I didn't notice if you had a 6 or a V8, 6 will be 4 lug and V8 5 lug, I do think you need to change control arms but it isn't that big a deal when doing the Granda swap.

I am not that familiar with '62s so one of the early guys will know all this for sure.

See Ya,
Mike

It's the stock '62 V6 with 4 lugs. I don't necessarily mind switching to a 14" or 15" 5 lug, if it's better, but I already have the 14" 4 lugs on the car.

[poboyjo65]

If yours is a 4 lug, & you want to stay 4 lug ,I think scarebird is about the only option,but there may be others. I believe the Granada brakes only fit 5 lug spindles. Most people get away from the 4 lug because it limits the choice of wheel styles that are available . & the brake kits are few too.

If you have a 6cyl , after just stepping away from that F18, I figure it is only a matter of a few drives before you start thinking of a V8 also after those drives originality starts to take a backseat to safety, & you'll be thinking of how to make it drive better..

If you go V8 it opens many doors. The best & most popular upgrades for the earlier cars are;
V8
C4 ,4 or 5 sp
65 steering parts including spindles ( this is where you would need later UCA's & LCA's)
disc brakes
8'' rear (5 lug).

IF YOU USE v8 spindles, there are quite a few kits for disc brakes ,best bang for the buck is CSRP, which have several kits, some of them have the spindles if you need them, that have improved geometry over reg granada spindles.

[Schooley]

If yours is a 4 lug, & you want to stay 4 lug ,I think scarebird is about the only option,but there may be others. I believe the Granada brakes only fit 5 lug spindles. Most people get away from the 4 lug because it limits the choice of wheel styles that are available . & the brake kits are few too.

If you have a 6cyl , after just stepping away from that F18, I figure it is only a matter of a few drives before you start thinking of a V8 also after those drives originality starts to take a backseat to safety, & you'll be thinking of how to make it drive better..

If you go V8 it opens many doors. The best & most popular upgrades for the earlier cars are;
V8
C4 ,4 or 5 sp
65 steering parts including spindles ( this is where you would need later UCA's & LCA's)
disc brakes
8'' rear (5 lug).

IF YOU USE v8 spindles, there are quite a few kits for disc brakes ,best bang for the buck is CSRP, which have several kits, some of them have the spindles if you need them, that have improved geometry over reg granada spindles.

Jo, Thanks for all of the information. I appreciate all of your help!

My plan is to keep it as stock/stock looking as possible, while making it a good weekend cruiser. I'd like to use the old style Merc caps for the rims. I don't really have any intention of going to a fancy rim/wheel combo, except for maybe whitewalls. I found some covers on hubcaps.org that I like, and they are for 14"s and 15"s. The car has 4-lug 14"s right now, and I could go to a 15" if needed since I want new tires anyway. If this is workable, then I may go this direction. I like the idea of moving to a V8 ... but I don't know that I'm ready for that yet.

[lavron]

I like the idea of moving to a V8 ... but I don't know that I'm ready for that yet.

V8s are overrated

See Ya,
Mike

[383MERC]

David,
I have some good information for you on the front disc brake conversion. We can talk when we hook up.
Mark