Mk3 - Old IRS - brake caliper options for 11.65" -old E-brake cable problem

[CNIdog]

SOLUTION FOUND - Thanks to forum members KGKEYS & RichGRSC --- '98 Lincoln Mk8 Calipers work with stock pads, with a new adapter, on the old T-bird IRS and a little aluminum removal. Still using the 11.65 disk. Took some measuring and fitting but relatively easy. lucky I have a great metal work shop 5 mins away. New adapters were $50 cdn... his min rate. Has the scanner and laser cut machine. I just gave him a heavy paper template. Real nice parking brake cable route to the handle now and no binding.


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Hi original Mk3.0 IRS builders, Old problem.

Wondering it there's a better option for attaching the e-brake cables to the old IRS Mk3 calipers? The mustang calipers work fine on the 11.65" disks with the mount adapter plate for my needs but the e-brake cable kinks and binds when connected through the conventional underside route. It also rubs on the CV joint housing.

Is there a top-mount cable adapter or work around?

Or is there a different model caliper that uses a easier - e-brake cable hookup?

[kgkeys]

Mine is a MkIV with pin-drive width IRS and Lincoln MkVIII calipers/brakes. The MkVIII calipers hold the cable end fixed and when pulled, the sheath end pulls the lever.

https://zeys.zapto.org/ParkingBrake/cable.jpg

HTH,
Kyle

[CNIdog]

Thanks Kyle, Do you know if the Lincoln mk8 calipers use the same bolt hole mounting points as the mustang?

[kgkeys]

Thanks Kyle, Do you know if the Lincoln mk8 calipers use the same bolt hole mounting points as the mustang?

No, I would think not. The Mk8 calipers bolt directly to the knuckle that is common to the T-bird/Mk8. I'm guessing the Mustang calipers when used with the IRS, use an adapter bracket?

EDIT: Let me expound, a bit. So the Mk8 calipers were OEM designed to work with the knuckles that are on your car. The Mk8 rotor is something like 10.5", so it would definitely be a performance downgrade from what you have now.
The parking brake cable arrangement with the Mk8 calipers is infinitely better than trying to make the Mustang calipers work on the IRS setup. Assuming you have a 5x4.5" bolt pattern on your hubs, like I do... the Mk8 rotors are 5x4.25". So, you have to hog out the bolt holes on the rotors until they'll go over the lugs. It's not a precision operation, as the rotors are hub-centric. It's just a thing you need to be aware of. I love my parking brake setup. I did a modified Fiero mod on my car and kept the back half as close as I could to the OEM setup on the Mk8.

https://zeys.zapto.org/ParkingBrake/Rigged.jpg
https://zeys.zapto.org/MkVIIIRear.jpg




Kyle

[CNIdog]

Great info, thank you! Yes, I am using a '91 T-bird IRS knuckle with 5 bolt hub swap (4.5") with the adaptor bracket for the 11.65" rotor. I'll try a set of Mk8 calipers and what they can do.

[rich grsc]

T-bird and the Mrk VIII calipers are some what different. One uses a thinner pad than the other as the rotors were a different thickness. That said either will work, just pay attention use the correct pad.

[CNIdog]

Solution found. See top.

[kgkeys]

Solution found. See top.

NICE! Best of both worlds!