1949 Ford F1 - '48-52 F-1 Disc Brakes - Tech

By extracting four 1/2-20 bolts from the backing plate, Scotty was able to remove the brake assembly from the spindle.

Stripped down to the bare spindle, it was time to mock up the new CPP disc brake components and check for any potential problems created by the '49's deviation from a stock F-1 configuration.

Sure enough, the steering stops on the custom drop axle interfered with the CPP disc brake caliper bracket.

Although just about any type of grinder could have been used to notch out a relief for clearance, Eric at Rodz used the mill because it was the most precise way to do it.

Further inspection revealed the custom shock-absorber mounts fabricated by Chuck Porter interfered with the disc brakes. Eric used a plasma cutter to lop them off and then welded them on to a better location.

After the mock-up was successfully completed, it was time for Scotty at Rodz to pack the Timken-type wheel bearings supplied in the CPP F-1 disc brake conversion kit with high-temp disc brake wheel bearing grease.

The last step to installing the wheel bearings into the hub/brake rotor was to drive the grease seals in with a Snap-on bearing race/seal driver.

Before the brake rotor could be slid onto the spindle, the bearing adapters supplied in the CPP conversion kit had to be installed.

Scotty used 3M Metalite emery cloth strips to remove any nicks or high spots that would prevent the adapters from sliding onto the spindle.