Rant 1

Hello,

This is a question that I wanted to pose to see if anyone has a back story on these type of brakes. I am using the factory disc brakes off a 1968 LTD parts car for a ground up build of a 1966 galaxie 500 XL. I was always under the assumption that the one year only brakes of 1968 were purely a weirdo Ford thing.

But upon cleaning and getting ready to powder coat the hubs I found this cast into the hubs.

It definitely looks like the font for Kelsey Hayes company.

This is the complete crusty ol brake that probably hasn't seen functionality in decades.

They are being refurbished to go on this.

I just thought if anyone knew the history of these one year only brakes it would be interesting to read. Fortunately I can find all the parts I need to resurrect and use these factory disc brakes on this car.

Rant 2

The other useless tidbit of information is that cars outfitted with this one off disc brakes require a specific steel rim to clear the caliper. The regular 65-68 generic steel rims hit the calipers. But most alloy wheels will clear the calipers.

The odd thing that caught my eye is that the hub has the FoMoCo logo then the KH logo, then a part number that I don't think is a Ford part number. Honestly I didn't know what to think, is it a Ford part or a Kelsey Hayes part. Just dunno.

Again doesn't really matter in the end since it's possible to get all the parts I need brand new for these style brakes. Just more or less a conversation piece if anything.

I'd much rather use OEM brakes, even if a weirdo one year only than sketchy aftermarket brakes. At least these brakes will bolt onto any '65-'68 Ford full size and I don't have to worry about camber and caster curves being a problem using other models spindles or worry about substandard caliper brackets sheering upon bolting on disc brakes on the drum spindle.

Rant 3

I was just curious as to the background of these '68 brakes. By one year only I meant the entire brake setup (spindle, caliper, rotor/hub as a unit). As usual Rock Auto has all the parts for these brakes except hoses but there is a company making them so I special ordered the complete set for the car.

Parts are still aplenty fortunately

Rant 4 I'll fully concede those spindles are a bit wimpy to me.

Here's the complete mess-terpiece off the parts car.

I will say one thing, whomever designed the caliper bracket to the spindle had some major OCD going on. The bolts that attach the caliper bracket to the spindle had some industrial Locktite to the likes I've never encountered before. It almost took an act of congress to get it off the threads. Then there is a heavy duty lock washer and finally to top it off the bolts are drilled for safety wire and safety wire was used.

I've never seen a production car till the '68 Ford with disc brakes that had an aircraft like safety wire through bolts from the factory.

Of course all this only compliments the crazy amount of anti-rattle clips on the caliper itself.

This whole brake system is so odd and over the top I can't help but like it.

I know..... I need help.

Cheers.

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