I decided to upgrade the original disc brakes with the Wilwood 140-13476 kit and I have the 3-bolt spindle as I have factory discs.
Two options as I see it: 1. Do the drill and tap on my existing 3-bolt (I’ll have to order the correct 0.332 drill bit anyway) or, 2. Get a couple of spindles for drum brakes as they are the 4-bolt spindles.
As far as I can tell, the spindles are interchangeable if you’re upgrading from the factory brake system.
Thoughts?
Many of the kits use drum brake spindles because they use the reproduction 1967 style 4 piston caliper which bolts to the drum brake spindle. I don’t know what you need but that fact bears scrutiny.
Mongo, your are correct in that the Wilwood front kit is a bolt on for drum brake spindles and requires drill/tap to use stock disc brake spindles. I have Wilwood’s on the front of my 68 and used drum brake spindles. I also have a set of disc brake spindles and didn’t want to modify those in case I wanted to go back to OEM brakes in the future. IMO it’s easier to find drum brake spindles ve OEM disc’s.
It’s really just comes down to if you want to modify the stock spindles or not. The function is the same and you’re just mounting the bracket that holds the Wilwood caliper.
I drilled mine but I had Granada spindles from a conversion the previous owner did. I had to use the later 70 mustang kit for the bigger bearings
You will be happy with the willwoods in the end. It’s a nice setup and they are a company that has and will stick around for parts in the future
@mr_580
“…didn’t want to modify those in case I wanted to go back to OEM brakes in the future.” I’m a purist in the sense that I don’t want to do anything where I can’t go back original even if I’m not the one doing it.
That being said, these three bolts are used only to secure the backing plate on the original set up. Even if I drill/tap, I can still go back by enlarging the holes on the backing plate. It’ll all be covered up by the rotor if it goes back original.
I’m leaning towards drill/tap. I’ll need a bottom type tap that will go in far enough and a 90 degree countersink bit. Sure would like that 4th bolt though just for comfort more that anything else.
The only thing bothering me at the moment is they want to use Loctite 271 (Permanent Red Tube of Death) on the caliper mounting bolts. I can see that on the bracket mount but the caliper mounting bolts?!?
Personally I would leave the stock disc setup and upgrade the pad. You can get any compound you like from Porterfield.
The Wilwood kit is a great way to upgrade from drum to disc, but you really wont notice any difference in stopping power since the disc is a similar size to the stock one and the pad really has a similar amount of friction material.
That said, it’s your car so do what makes you happy.