Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum banner

Scarebird 4 lug disc brake conversion

14K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  HankyJ 
#1 ·
This is a repeat of a thread I started in the Ranchero forum but it would also apply here, don't know if there is a different way I should post to cover both forums.

Well I'm putting the scarebird 4 lug disc brake conversion on my 63 Ranchero and so far pretty painless. But now I'm wondering why I went through this as I try to find 4 lug wheels that will clear the caliper. 13" Falcon, no way. Tried a 14" Mustang, still no go. Took the whole assembly to the Pic A Part and spent the morning trying wheels. The only thing that looked like it might fit with a decent offset was a 1983 Nissan 260 Z car and maybe a 1977 Toyota Celica. Unfortunatly neither had a full set of rims and still won't be sure of wheelwell fitment untill I get a set home. Just wondering if anyone has had any luck finding wheels that fit?
Thanks Mike
 
#2 ·
I bought the Scarebird kit for my 63. Scarebird told me that some factory wheels will fit with 1/4 inch spacers. I am going to try this on mine.
 
#5 ·
Yea, so is my Ranchero but I do want to get it as a roller, I'm tired of it hogging up shop space. I might go back and look at that 260Z's wheels again.
I searched on the net and found that the wheels on that Z in the Pic A Part are factory mags so I might be able to find the missing wheel easier so I might give them a try. I will also try stacking some washers under the 14" Mustang wheel and see if it will clear. Probably won't be any easier finding a set of those either.
Mike
 
#7 · (Edited)
The problem with the Nissans and Toyota's are the one's with front wheel drive 13" wheels with no offset. Most of the larger ones are 5 lug. The rear wheel drive 70's 80's 260Z and Celica's seem to have the most promise with normal looking offsets, but the selection of custom wheels is limited from what I understand.
Right now I just want a set that fits over the calipers so I can move this thing around.
Mike
 
#8 ·
I found that the Mustang wheels came with different steel wheels-- IF the car came with drum brakes versus disc brakes. The offset is the problem. They were 14 x 4 whwre a 14 x 4 1/2 or 5" would be ok. But I am talking about 5 lug wheels. The same problem is the offset--so check what clearance you need and start searching.

My friends car had the spacers on them to clear the Mustang disc brake calipers (65) that rubbed on 14" steel wheels he had on them to resolve the clearance issues.. HOWEVER, the spacers somehow causes the wheel to work loose, so I would not try spacers.
 
#9 ·
Re: Scarebird 4 lug disc brake conversion Wheels

Well I got around to putting 1/4" worth of washers between the hub and the 4 lug 14" wheel off of my brothers 6 cylinder 65 Mustang and the wheel turns without rubbing. Now this is without the lines hooked up and me reaching in and pushing the calipers together the best I can there is about .050" clearance between the rim and caliper, it should get greater with the lines hooked up and hydraulic pressure squeezing them together.
So it looks doable with a 1/4" wheel spacer if it's the same style rim.
Good Luck, Mike
 
#10 · (Edited)
Went back to the Pic A Part with my own lug wrench (How the h#ll can there be NO lug wrenches in 1000 cars at a junk yard I do not know!) and tried the 14" factory alloy wheel from the 1983 Nissan 280ZX and it fits and doesn't hit the caliper, kind of close to a rib on the caliper again about .050" clearance that will get better with the hydraulics hooked up. Could possibly grind away a little of the rib for more clearance. Can't reuse the factory mag type lug nut because it's a smaller lug.
Also tried the 14" steel wheel off of a 1977 Toyota Celica, again seems to fit with no rubbing. I couldn't tell if the rim was seating completly against the rotor because the center hole in the wheel and the center shoulder on the hub either are an exact fit or the hub is slightly too big meaning you might have to turn a few thousands off of the hub or slightly ream the center hole of the wheel.
The back spacing on both seem usable and clear the upper control arm easily. I bought the best 2 of the 280Z wheels knowing they are factory wheels and I'll just keep my eyes open for another pair. They're not Craigers but if this wasn't a budget build I would have converted to 5 lug and been done with it.
So there you go, keep an eye out for those Z cars and Celica's and maybe you will find one with some cutom wheels from when they were popular.

Mike
 
#11 · (Edited)
Hi 61Sunliner, looks like I'm a bit late coming across this thread (I'm an occassional lurker here...more active on fordsix.com0). At any rate, I can tell you that factory steelies from rwd 240/260/280 z-cars should clear the calipers fine...although I'm using a slightly older scarbrid 4-lug disc bracket from mid '08 (looks like they've revised the bracket since then)...I've been using these 14" with stock hub caps.

I'm actually just about to part with three of the four steelies I have (gotta keep one for a spare) because I've recently installed some vintage 14" mags with new tires that were originally marketed for the z-cars in the 70's (made by appliance wheels.)

Factory Ford 14" steelies with 3" backspacing or less have been reported to fit the scarebird conversion based on info from FSP site.
The steel z-rims I have were from a junkyard car...it's very difficult to find any rims around the jy's in Dallas, TX...they all get turned into 'quick weld together makeshift jack stands' at all the jy's. These could use a media blasting and reparint but they're otherwise in good shape (first pic).
I'm very happy with the look and fit of the Appliance Wire Mag wheels (found center caps from Massey in OK., but later learned summit also carries some).
There are several other 'cool' (IMO), vintage mags available for the older z's that will fit the 4x4.5 old ford pattern as well...here is one source where you can view possible options:
http://www.zparts.com/ads/wheels/wheels_fs.html
Good luck in your hunt!

PS I'll plan on adding back a pic with appliance wheels on the car from the back and front for others future reference.

EDIT: I also did not buy my appliance rims from the above link, used it just for reference...($75 for a factory steel wheel!?...got mine off feepay, $200 all in)
Also, the 4-lug sb bracket hasn't changed as I though...the 65&66 ebay auctions actually have a pic of a 67s style.
 
#12 ·
BTMc, never too late to jump in, the way I look at it there's just that much more info for the next guy that does a search. Went to you're pics, looks like you ground down those ribs on the caliper I was refering to.
The yard I went to had 2 Z's one had those finned turbines which were gone by the time I realized they would fit and the other had the factory 6 spoke alloy wheels, I figure they will look ok on a budget Ranchero.
Looks like a nice find on you're 4 lug wheels, it's easier to keep you're eyes open for a deal when you know what might fit.

Mike
 
#13 ·
BTMc, never too late to jump in, the way I look at it there's just that much more info for the next guy that does a search. Went to you're pics, looks like you ground down those ribs on the caliper I was refering to.
Thanks 61Sunliner, and I totally agree with you, each experience will hopefully make it easier for the next person...(it did for me).

Yes I did grind down the ribs on the front of my calipers. They were actually very pronounced on these 'Brand New' Dorman aftermarket versions. Although as it turned out the ribs weren't the source of my problem. Instead it was just a product of the old style oem fomoco steelies.

As you probably know the center section of the old steelies attaches to the inside of the outer rim via a flange with a few spot welds. There was no way to make the original rims work without some serious hacking on the new calipers (I actually regretted grinding down those ribs at first when I found they were not the issue, but in the end they likely would have gotten in the way on these appliance rims...so it all works out).

In fact along with the aid of other members at FSP we discovered that oem fomoco steelies with 3" or less backspacing would fit fine (all four of my originals are 3.5" backspacing). Mark at Scarebird was following along and was extremely helpful. I gotta take a minute to plug him and his brackets. I know there were a couple threads out there where a person or two had an issue, but similar to the old adage "squeaky wheel gets the grease", I'd hate that to think that's any kind of major concern out there for folks considering his products. Anyway it just seems people are often quicker to post and propagate problems vs hearing about the many success stories. Hands down I personally don't think there is a better alternative especially given the cost. For the record I've got no vested interest in his products, just good to see a guy (small company) with some entrepreneurial spirit and good ideas can still compete.

Sorry, about tangenting off there (hope it’s not considered inappropriate), but I'm just a very satisfied customer. At any rate Scarebird revised their notes, accounting for the fact that 3" backspacing or less was required. Here is my FSP thread on the swap if anyone is interested:
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=50913
It starts to go on and on (kind of like this reply of mine now ) towards the end re:wheel fitment and stud selection.

Back to your thread 61Sunliner, I think you'll find quite a few options out there in vintage z-wheels, not to mention vintage shelby (brand) wheels...(I've got some digital literature on those if you're interested). As well as all the standard & inexpensive modern mfgs with 4x4.5" options. Here is that pic I promised of the caliper and appliance wheel from the backside...roomy.
Like you said, easier to find a deal when you know what will fit. Apologize for any unintended thread hijack. Good luck!, when it comes to my 6cyl, after the 5spd...disc brakes are my second favorite mod.
 
#14 ·
I went back to the Pic A Part with my calipers and the Toyota Celica steel wheel's center hole is about .060" smaller than the Rancheros hub. So that means when I tried it, the wheel wasn't completely seated so no gaurantees that the wheel won't rub the caliper. .060" wouldn't be that hard to file or grind out of the wheel center to make it fit.
MIke
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top