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Technical 1946 ford disc brakes and stock steel wheels questions

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by EV34, Sep 9, 2020.

  1. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member

    Hey guys couple of quick questions. I have a fairly stock 46 ford that I am doing some chassis up grades and drive train upgrades to.

    I am thinking about switching the front to disc brakes and was looking at the speedway kit. It says it may not work with stock wheels. My question is have any of you guys done this kit with stock wheels on a 46-48 ford? Or any other option?

    also I’m not trying to start a debate on drums vs disc. I’m just looking for facts on if guys have used this kit with stock wheels or if someone can point me in the right direction on something else.

    2A336BBB-BE77-494D-9D5E-D2F7AA8B3DBE.jpeg 2FD833C2-CFB2-4E32-993E-50F09580C83E.png
     
  2. Cosmo50
    Joined: Sep 8, 2011
    Posts: 226

    Cosmo50
    Member
    from California

    That's the kit I put on my 41. I had 16" stock wheels and it fit fine. I think the 15" stock wheels won't fit. You'll need to get some different wheels if you have 15" right now.
     
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  3. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member

    Thanks for the input! I have stock 16 in wheels on it now. Thanks again
     
  4. 100% Matt
    Joined: Aug 7, 2006
    Posts: 2,747

    100% Matt
    Member

    Old Yankee sells a kit available through Millworks Hot Rod. It will work with either 15" or 16" stock rims.
     
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  5. WisconsinMicko
    Joined: Apr 26, 2012
    Posts: 28

    WisconsinMicko
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I used the kit, it spreads the wheel width 3/4 inch on each side. Had to chnage wheels on my forty to be able to steer it. I'd do the Ford truck brakes instead. Use a firewall mounted MC/pedal assembly.
     
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  6. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member

    Thanks I will check them out!!
     
  7. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,442

    goldmountain

    I had this problem on a non-Ford project. Wanted to keep the old wheels since I had NOS hubcaps but the rotor was too big to clear the rim. Ended up cutting the centers off the old wheels and welding them to skinny later Ford pickup rims.
     
  8. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member


    Did you have the same problem that @WisconsinMicko had?
     
  9. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member


    What made it difficult? Any more input?

    thanks
     
  10. Cosmo50
    Joined: Sep 8, 2011
    Posts: 226

    Cosmo50
    Member
    from California

    It did push the wheels out on me too. The only problem I had was on a tight turn the wheels would rub my fender, but I also had that lowered a lot in the front. I was planning on having my axle dropped and narrowed to makeup for that.
    What I liked about this kit was that it used off the shelf parts. The calipers are GM and the rotors are from 97 and earlier F150's. Both parts can be bought at any auto store.
     
    EV34 likes this.
  11. The kits we used (one Speedway and one ECI) with the F-150 rotors and 5 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern did not increase the tread width; in fact it is slightly narrower. We used them with two different brands of aftermarket 15" early Ford style wheels; one set cleared right off and the other required slight grinding on the caliper.
    The spindle flange to the WMS is 3-1/4" with early Ford hubs and ends up at 3-1/16" on the F-150 rotors.
     
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  12. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member

    Thanks for the info and response. I too plan on a dropped axle.
     
  13. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member

    so if I read that right you was slightly narrower on both kits? Thanks
     
  14. junkman8888
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 1,035

    junkman8888
    Member

    One option if you decide to use 15" wheels is to swap out the wheel hoops with those taken from '60's-'70's Ford pickup wheels. There are at least two hoop widths, also, some pickup wheels have the centers welded to the hoops (avoid, too much work to cut apart), some have the center riveted to the hoop (less work). You just drill out the rivets, press the centers out of the wheels, swap hoops, align and weld. Those Ford pickup hoops can also be used on the '50's Chevy sedan wheels.
     
  15. I think it needs to be a disc brake hoop, I check out a kit for my '47. I have stock 16x4.5, I went to the parts place an borrowed a F-150 rotor, put it inside of my spare wheel and to me there's no room for a caliper. I would have been stuck using wheel spacer.
     
  16. Both kits use the same components and are pretty much the same. The two measurements are from the back of the disc to spindle flange and from the wms to the back of the disc.
    Total up to 3" or so, the '48 hub at 3-1/4" is in comparison. Much better than the extra inch or so the common small bolt pattern kits add to each side.
    We tried a repop 16" wheel on these and it fit too.

    back of disc to face of spindle flange 1 (Medium).jpg wms to back of disc (Medium).jpg 48.JPG IMG_20170705_121452 (Medium).jpg IMG_20170705_121501 (Medium).jpg IMG_20170705_121527 (Medium).jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2020
    EV34 likes this.
  17. EV34
    Joined: Aug 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,118

    EV34
    Member

    Thanks Rich!!
     

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