1959 Skyliner Disk Brake Conversion

[59skylinerfairlane]

I just finished the front and rear disk brake conversion on a 1959 Skyliner with the original 14 inch wheels.

Front was Willowood for Ford Fairlane full size, rear was Inline Tube Large Baring, Old styl.

Front was a easy brezy, Rear a nightmare child.

Had to use 1.5 inch aluminum 5 on 4.5 spacers both front and rear, no rubbing , plenty of room for skirts, I hope, will be trying next.

Had to grind down rear axel hubs to fit inside rotors, 3/16 all around, grind down caliper brackets ad t bolts so they would snug up to axel flange, and put in longer wheel studs.

Will need to disassemble to take axel to machine shop and true up hubs.

I would diffenatly go with Willowood rear kit, I opted out because they did not have the kit with parking brake option at the time.

Using 8 inch dual diaphragm brake booster with Corvette Tandem Master Cylinder, 1 inch bore.

Still no brakes, took to brake check so they could pressure bleed the system after installing all new system, they said bad master cylinder, it happens, so took another NEW one, not rebuild, it held pressure but still not stopping well, they did not adjut peddle, so I did that untill brakes rubbed a little, took for a spin and they seezed up, got it home very slowly about a3 blocks, car running hot, brakes smoking not a happy camper.

Let it cool off, made adjustment to pedal backing off stroke, now WALAHHHHHH!


NO BRAKES AT ALL. No pressure at all, must have fried the master, bought a high performance racing master cylinder from Willowood, fingers crossed!

[droptopford]

Thanks for the info. I have thought about doing a disc brake conversion to my Skyliner for all the obvious reasons. I'd only consider it if it could be returned to bone stock without destroying any of the original parts. Something strictly bolt on with no fabrication etc.
As much as I'd like to do the conversion, your experience is giving me some serious second thoughts. Maybe just the fronts.?

[Finster]

Hello,
Can you provide some detail regarding the front disc brake portion of the conversion.
What Wilwood kit did you use and was the front portion of it Successful.

What rims did you use. Was there a lot of fabrication for the front disc portion of the task.
Thanks

[59skylinerfairlane]

1959 Ford Skyliner All - Front Brake Kit Part No.: 140-13653-R

Yes front was successful, no mods except remove drum backing plate and all hardware for drums, will need new master and power booster, still trying to get a power brake master to activate all 4 disk on mine, but front seem pretty good, back is spin out type and require a larger bore then what I was told to get, I would suggest 1 1/8 inch. 8 inch dual diaphram booster, adapter bracket on ebay.

Stock 14 inch wheels and 5 on 4.5 1 inch adapters.