The Ford Barn

Mike34 · 09-14-2010, 12:00 PM

I don't own either a Model T or Model A, I have a later year V8 flathead auto. Earlier this year I saw both a T and A with disk brakes on the front axles. I couldn't see any adapters and I must admit that the spindle & disk assembly sure looked likely were perfectly made for each other as if Henry had built them like that. I didn't have the opportunity to ask the owner if he bought a kit or fabricated them himself. (The rest of the vehicles were stock as far as I could tell.) Curiosity got the best of me and I looked through a few catalogs but couldn't locate any kits. Does anyone make a disk brake kit for the T and A? It's time to get this curiosity question out of my head. Thanks, Mike34

mrtexas · 09-14-2010, 12:12 PM

I believe Wilwood does for 46 spindles.

Bruce Lancaster · 09-14-2010, 12:17 PM

The A has multiple answers...A spindles can be readily adapted (small shift in flange hole locations, spacer on actual spindle pin) to take anything that will fit on the '37-48 types of spindles, and also the '37-48 spindle types can be fitted to A axles with some minor shifting of scrub radius and height as complications.
For the T, problems are different...first, the T spindle has no flange to take the stationary part of any brake! Swaps I have heard of use discs from Samaurai trucks. Do not know any details on how they do that.

1931 flamingo · 09-14-2010, 03:26 PM

mrtexas: are you just going to tease us or follow up with some info??
Paul in CT

dave in australia · 09-14-2010, 03:53 PM

This appears to me to be a dangerous setup, not because of the brakes but because of the wheels. Part of the strength in A wheels is having the rear flange of the hub where the spokes are welded mounted against the brake drum. The front wheels have no support in this area, and I would say that the wheels will crack from the wheel nut holes. This is no different to mounting early 28 wheels on later brake drums which also results in cracks in and around the wheel nut area.

Jerry in Shasta · 09-14-2010, 04:42 PM

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I contacted one of the hot rod, brake only companies a couple years ago and they said the could put complete disk setup all the way around my stock "A" axles, for about $2300.

Mike V. Florida · 09-14-2010, 04:46 PM

I have a friend that has disc brakes on his "T" not cheap!!!

He drive it alot and he feels safer in the stop and go traffic.

mrtexas · 09-14-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

mrtexas: are you just going to tease us or follow up with some info??
Paul in CT

I don't know about the brakes. I got the pictures from Ebay on a car that was being sold! I'd like to try a set sometime myself.

Flathead · 09-14-2010, 08:31 PM

I agree with Dave, you need that wheel/drum contact for proper wheel support. You also have to rig up an emergency brake, either with the caliper or a "mini" drum brake in the center dish of the rotor, but who needs all that crap on a Model A? Get some new cast iron drums, maybe a floater kit and you are good to go. Its not like nobody ever stopped a car until they invented disc brakes!

Dave in MN · 09-15-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead

I agree with Dave, you need that wheel/drum contact for proper wheel support. You also have to rig up an emergency brake, either with the caliper or a "mini" drum brake in the center dish of the rotor, but who needs all that crap on a Model A? Get some new cast iron drums, maybe a floater kit and you are good to go. Its not like nobody ever stopped a car until they invented disc brakes!

I agree that this is a very dangerous adaptation. IMO, the wheels will not stand the stresses without the drum support.

Good Day!
Dave in MN

Mike34 · 09-15-2010, 11:18 AM

Well, now I know the answer. I can rest in peace again. Thanks to all who replied. -Mike34

09-14-2010, 12:00 PM	#1
Mike34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 125	Disk Brake Curiosity I don't own either a Model T or Model A, I have a later year V8 flathead auto. Earlier this year I saw both a T and A with disk brakes on the front axles. I couldn't see any adapters and I must admit that the spindle & disk assembly sure looked likely were perfectly made for each other as if Henry had built them like that. I didn't have the opportunity to ask the owner if he bought a kit or fabricated them himself. (The rest of the vehicles were stock as far as I could tell.) Curiosity got the best of me and I looked through a few catalogs but couldn't locate any kits. Does anyone make a disk brake kit for the T and A? It's time to get this curiosity question out of my head. Thanks, Mike34

09-14-2010, 12:12 PM	#2
mrtexas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 4,420	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity I believe Wilwood does for 46 spindles. Last edited by mrtexas; 09-14-2010 at 12:25 PM.

09-14-2010, 12:17 PM	#3
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity The A has multiple answers...A spindles can be readily adapted (small shift in flange hole locations, spacer on actual spindle pin) to take anything that will fit on the '37-48 types of spindles, and also the '37-48 spindle types can be fitted to A axles with some minor shifting of scrub radius and height as complications. For the T, problems are different...first, the T spindle has no flange to take the stationary part of any brake! Swaps I have heard of use discs from Samaurai trucks. Do not know any details on how they do that.

09-14-2010, 03:26 PM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity mrtexas: are you just going to tease us or follow up with some info?? Paul in CT

09-14-2010, 03:53 PM	#5
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,241	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity This appears to me to be a dangerous setup, not because of the brakes but because of the wheels. Part of the strength in A wheels is having the rear flange of the hub where the spokes are welded mounted against the brake drum. The front wheels have no support in this area, and I would say that the wheels will crack from the wheel nut holes. This is no different to mounting early 28 wheels on later brake drums which also results in cracks in and around the wheel nut area.

09-14-2010, 04:42 PM	#6
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 388	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I contacted one of the hot rod, brake only companies a couple years ago and they said the could put complete disk setup all the way around my stock "A" axles, for about $2300.

09-14-2010, 04:46 PM	#7
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity I have a friend that has disc brakes on his "T" not cheap!!! He drive it alot and he feels safer in the stop and go traffic. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-14-2010, 08:31 PM	#9
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,617	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity I agree with Dave, you need that wheel/drum contact for proper wheel support. You also have to rig up an emergency brake, either with the caliper or a "mini" drum brake in the center dish of the rotor, but who needs all that crap on a Model A? Get some new cast iron drums, maybe a floater kit and you are good to go. Its not like nobody ever stopped a car until they invented disc brakes!

09-15-2010, 11:18 AM	#11
Mike34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 125	Re: Disk Brake Curiosity Well, now I know the answer. I can rest in peace again. Thanks to all who replied. -Mike34