Drum to Disc brake conversion - 1963 Ford

All that should be needed for the conversion would be a vacuum booster, if there already isn't one there, dual master cylinder, plumbing, knuckles for the disc brake calipers and a metering valve. What I don't know is if later model original knuckles will replace the older ones you have. Certainly, someone here knows. Getting this stuff from a junkyard should be dirt cheap

 

Scarebird.com conversion kits .

 

By "complete kit", does that mean that you converted over the rear drums also?

 

rear disc wont make any huge difference in braking save your money . been there done that.

 

The '68 country sedan I picked up in feb had a mystery rear kit installed (as disks front stock) by the previous owner, and it's been nothing but trouble. The main issue is I live on the hill, and now there's no emergency brake: Does your kit allow for that hookup? I always have to chock it. In addition, I found out recently based on all sorts of braking issues that... one of my rear calipers was leaking. Since that's been replaced it's been a lot happier. But man, I'd think twice about doing this myself if I got another wagon.

 

Having an emergency brake is one of the first commandments of motor vehicle use. I can imagine that without having one, insurance claims can easily get voided, in case of an accident. I'm not sure exactly how it works there. But, certainly in Britain, if a vehicle without an emergency brake gets stolen and the thief ends up injured in an accident, the vehicle owner ends up supporting the thief.
I can't imagine that a readily bought conversion kit wouldn't have an adapter for an emergency brake

 

Talking with the shop, they said a lot of drum to disk conversions just leave the e-brake out of the mix. Which to me, I agree, is crazy, but I bought the car anyway. However, I've never heard any legality issue around it's absence, at least here in the states (CA).
That being said, what does an e-brake have to do with an accident claim? If I have to hit the brakes and they fail, I doubt my brain is going to be fast enough to think "oh, go grab the e-brake" before I smash into that thing .25 seconds in front of me (and how much stopping power are just the rears going to do anyway at speed?). I thought they were mainly there to keep you from rolling down hills if the car decides to shift out of park (and thus my chocks).
2c

 

They still call it an emergency brake. Playing the insurance industry's Devil's advocate, I'm just stating potential arguments, on behalf of the insurer, in case a freak accident of this type were to end up in court

 

Nothing wrong with leaving the drums on the back.
Lions share of braking is done up front.
Just change the rear shoes with something new and you will be amazed at the stopping power you have already with the new "Leeds Brakes" up front.

 

I don't hate drum brakes, but servicing (heck even inspecting) discs is so much easier/faster it would be worth it to me. Nothing worse than sitting there for half an hour fighting to get a drum off.