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Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:02 am

Has anyone done research as to the bearings needed to adapt Mustang II rotors to the '65 Bus spindle? Seems to me with the number of bearings available the process should be fairly easy in a city with a bearing distributor. Early GM calipers are cheap too and the adapter is nothing more than a flat 3/8" plate.

Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:25 am

It looks like Wagenswest have a kit for 63+ busses - http://www.wagenswest.com/bustangs.html .

Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:33 am

Bearings should cost around $80, two disc around $80, Two calipers around $80 and lines, seals and homemade mounting brackets under $100. Lots of money left for beer. Only catch is finding the right bearings/seals. Working on it.

Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:16 pm

Didn't generate much interest but went with it anyway. Got disc, calipers...etc for under $250. Only thing I need now is caliper bracket which is real easy to make. M/C is the next thing. Will look over the market and may pick something like a Mustang II unit.

Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:05 pm

Cool, do you happen to know if this would work with the stock 14" wheels?
I just cant bring myself to spend the money for the CSP brake kit.

Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:07 am

33 Willys,
I was wondering if you ended up finding the bearings that would work with this conversion? I like the idea of disc front end, just don't have the coin to shell out for one of those "super kits" that alot of the places on the net sell... I have a 66 Bus, I'm sure all of the parts that fit your 65 would fit my 66 perfectly!

Part numbers would be greatly appreciated too on the parts you are using that you know work!

Thanks for any info in advance!

Steve X.

Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:01 pm

I have ordered al the parts and waiting on them now. The beam is out of the bus and before I put it back in I will install Avis adjusters, then install the rest of the front end so it will be a while. The rotors I got have a 4 on 4 1/4" pattern which opens up a lot of choices for rims. Relacing the nose, A pillars, doglegs and front floor which is also taking priority. When I'm sure all this works I will post numbers. Not sure if 14" rims will fit but the MII rotors all quite small.

Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:46 am

No problem!
I'm not in a rush either... I'm still in the planning, gathering parts mode of my build... I was just looking for a "cheaper disc set-up" than what is readily avail. on-line... I'm sure the Drums (after a total rebuild of the braking system) would be more than sufficient on my shortened bus though...

Keep us posted!

Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:25 pm

Just bumping this thread. I can find the Mustang II parts, but what were the bearings needed?

Any dimensions on the caliper bracket? Any other tips/hints? :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-AllStar-Mustang...0268949657

This comes with bearings, is that it?

Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:59 am

No, you do not want that kit. Get the rotors from Speedway Motors and order the bolt pattern you want such as 5 on 4-1/2" (Ford) or 5 on 4-3/4" (GM). You can order a blank and have a machine shop drill the pattern you want. I like the GM pattern because this gives you thousands of rims to choose from. I have the bearing numbers needed for inner and outer. Use the GM metric calipers and you must make your own mountaing brackets from 3/8" plate. A small spacer must be made for the axle because it is longer than the Mustang rotor but any machine shop should be able to knock those out in about 20 minutes. Total cost around $300.

Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:20 am

33 Willys wrote: No, you do not want that kit. Get the rotors from Speedway Motors and order the bolt pattern you want such as 5 on 4-1/2" (Ford) or 5 on 4-3/4" (GM). You can order a blank and have a machine shop drill the pattern you want. I like the GM pattern because this gives you thousands of rims to choose from. I have the bearing numbers needed for inner and outer. Use the GM metric calipers and you must make your own mountaing brackets from 3/8" plate. A small spacer must be made for the axle because it is longer than the Mustang rotor but any machine shop should be able to knock those out in about 20 minutes. Total cost around $300.

Post the bearing numbers

Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:02 pm

PLEASE!

Mustang rotors to VW spindles as follows:
Bearings
Timken LM 11949 and Timken LM 67048
Seal
Timken 6815

Because the axle is much longer than the hub of the Mustang rotor a spacer must be made to properly tighten and preload the bearings. To do this take your spindles, bearings, rotors and seals to a machine shop and they can knock the spacer out in no time. Make sure the outer diameter of the spacer will mate properly with the seal.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:15 pm

wheres footie to bash this post :lol:

33, Have any pictures to post up? I'm really interested....Like this setup, sounds like something i'll tackle

Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:16 am

33 Willys, Thanks for the Numbers!

I work in a Machine Shop... I don't have my Spindles off yet. Just wondering where the spacer goes. & if you have any pics of the set-up you have. Maybe even a drawing of your 3/8 plate for the bracket, perhaps?

These Rotors?

Or These?

P.s. the Bearings are Dirt Cheap at McMaster-Carr.

Even Cheaper Here

Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:00 am

purplepeopleeater wrote: wheres footie to bash this post :lol:

33, Have any pictures to post up? I'm really interested....Like this setup, sounds like something i'll tackle

What??

Why would I bash this post? I'm the one that bumped it. I was looking for a cheaper disc brake setup and all the 'experts' around here jumped on me. I hope you're pushing my buttons because you = GOOD! :)

33Willys: YOU are the man! I didn't buy anything yet as I was hoping someone with a smarter (and cooler) head than the Samba 'experts' (ha ha) would chime in with a less than $500 disc kit and you did it! Yah!

:)

Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:53 pm

Thanks guys, be advised that this is a work in progress. I will feel better when I road test but that will be a while because I started with a basket case. I have tried to post pictures here but failed miserably! If anyone else can do it I will gladly e-mail the pictures to them to post. When making the conversion I strongly advise changing the M/C for safety to the MII also (or other duel M/C). It has a 7/8" bore (manual, 1978) and duel reservoir and cost is only $15.

Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:22 pm

I can post them for ya if you send them to me...

Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:30 am

Thanks to Jerry, here are some Pics!

Thanks Man! I'm sure I'm not the only one that appreciates this!

Caliper Bracket

Spindle with Bracket

Complete with Disc & Caliper

Mustang II Master Cylinder installed

Thanks again Jerry! This is a big Help! :wink: