I was going to do a granada swap, but even with all the corners cut its still too much for me at this time, so i was wondering if i could get a checklist from you guys on making my brakes safe again. I know a dual res master cylinder is a good idea, anything else?

 

Short of changing to disks, double check the drums to make sure they are smooth. If they have ridges in them, then take them off and have them turned. Double check your wheel cylinders to make sure they are not leaking, and if they are replace them. Do not overhaul them. Check the shoes themselves for wear. Replace as necessary. If you have not upgraded your rubber line hoses, do that, and drain all the fluid and replace with new after you upgrade to the dual master cylinder.

 

if you don't mind me asking how much were you looking to spend?

 

In addition to Soaring's great advice, you can switch to a dual reservoir master cylinder with brake booster for less than any Granada swap that I've seen. A local classic Mustang restorer recommended this to me over a Granada swap. He said unless you live in the hills or plan on racing, disc brakes provide little or no advantage over drums in his opinion. He said the reason to get discs is to avoid brake fade and overheating the brakes, which would occur much sooner with drums than discs. He said that adding a brake booster will make a real noticeable improvement, however. A guy in my office who restored a 67 Mustang totally agreed. He added that switching from the rubber hoses to the metal weave encased hoses really makes a difference as well. I understand that upgrading to a dual master cylinder with a brake booster in a 65 is more difficult than with a 68, but it is something to consider.

 

Which dual master cylinder do you recommend? What is envolved in changing it over? Thanks

 

A dual reservoir master cylinder from a '67 works fine. Need to change the plumbing a bit. I'd highly advise having the work done by a professional certified technician. Drums also have a tendency to pull one way or the other, especially when wet or out of adjustment. Setup correctly they work OK, you just have to be aware of their limitations.
I am absolutely against untrained people servicing drum brakes. There are too many little things that seem to get overlooked by the novice. So if you want to make your drum brakes as safe as possible, I'd suggest going to a competent certified brake shop.
Don't be suprised if they refuse the work unless you allow them to replace all 4 wheel cylinders and do a complete inspection before begining the work. In fact if they didn't do that, I'd find a more professional shop.
Good luck with your project.

 

al brakes are safe pretty much you just gotta know how to drive with them but disks perform better so that would qualify them as safer to most people but drums will get you by for the most part

 

Sorry, I don't have a recommendation as to brand. I have a 68 which is reportedly a much simpler job to add a power booster to, since it has plenty room where the dual reservoir cylinder already is. But, I do know that they make kits for the older Mustangs with the single reservoir master cylinders to convert them to a dual reservoir with a power booster. All I can say is check out some of the Mustang parts sites to see if they offer it. you also might try a search on Mustang Monthly's website for a tech article on converting to a dual reservoir master cylinder or a dual reservoir with a power booster. They seem to have some good tech articles. I just rebuilt the shifter on my Mustang using the directions from one of there tech articles. Now it's smooth and solid. This was a real simple job, but it was nice to have step by step instructions including many pictures.

 

Disc brakes are the only way to go if you put any miles on your car. Drums are slow stopping and when everyone in front of you has discs, you really have to anticipate stopping, especially if you switch between cars. Nothing scarier than stepping on the brakes and not stopping as quickly as the car in front of your. I'd highly suggest buying the complete kit if you are serious about upgrading to discs. By the time you hunt around for all the used parts and machine, rebuild and clean them up, you are pretty close in price to what a complete kit would cost. I went with SSBC (Stainless Steeel Brake Co.) and would highly recommend them. It was very easy to do.

Al

 

in reply to Lumbergh:
yes that's the basic difference between disc brakes and drum brakes. they showed us that when i learned car-mechanic.
They had a turning engine (like a usual drill). attached this to disc and the drum brakes as if it were the spindle. Then they put on the brake for a specific pedal pressure.
Breaking power would go down over time during breaking (when things get hotter) on drums, and on disc it would even improve.
Basically when you make sure your brakes get hot drums are bad, discs are good. I'd say if you have drums with a dual master and they are in good shape you'll have no problems stopping. should b sufficient. So I can only second what you say.

Soaring:
what rubber line upgrade ? never heard of that before.
(i'm still in the process of fixing my rear wheel bearings, so no time/money for brakes ...

kalli