Are these calipers on correct?
The FJM calipers are NEARLY identical to the 73-76 A body slider calipers. The fiirst difference is the A body calipers use a 2.6" piston bore, the FJM 2.75" bore. The second difference;the physical layout of the inlet / bleeder ports are NOT identical. For me, I've found that either (A or FJM) caliper will work fine if rear or front hung.
If moving to rear hung, the right caliper becomes the left, and vice-versa. no biggie. You just need to be careful of 2 thing: 1) bleeder screws are in the top position. 2) CAREFUL routing of the hoses are a must. I use 73 Disk brake hoses in the front AND rear position, and just route them accordingly. I find that the calipers on the back side are easier to fit especially on the early A's (63-66) with sway bars.
My preference??? I prefer the FJM calipers for 3 reasons: 1) they are much cheaper to buy. 2) the larger piston bore gives more braking force at the rotor. (Force = Pressure x Area) 3) are actually designed for front or rear mounting (see rock auto description)
I've done this swap several times. I have rear mounted the calipers on early A's, front hang them on later As (as stock). No difference at all in performance. As a side note, I've also used FJM spindles AND 73+ spindles. No diff. in road manners ever encountered. FJM are more plentiful and cheaper (never mind the bump steer controversy.....but that's another thread).
Here are some of the swaps that I've done;
Car picture 1 is of a 65 Barracuda with 73 Hoses, FJM calipers, rear mounted. (2010)
Car Picture 2 is of a 75 Dart with 73 Hoses, 73+ A body calipers, front mounted (stock) position. (2008)
Car picture 3 is of a 64 Valiant with rear mounted 73+ A body calipers. Notice the same brake hose, routed slightly different for the rear mounted 73+ A body caliper. (2006)
Car picture 4 is a 72 Scamp, 73 Hoses, 73+ A body calipers, rear mounted. (2003)
Car picture 5 is a 71 Coronet, B body (drum to disk conversion), 73+ A body calipers. (2005)
FWIW: I'm doing 2 other conversion in the coming months; 73 Dart Sport and a 65 Belvedere are both getting rear mounted FJM calipers!
Caliper Information:
Rockauto: 80 Diplomat: A-1 CARDONE Part # 184145 {Unloaded; [Caliper w/Installation Hardware] Reman.}
Front Right; w/Forward Mount Calipers; OE Phenolic Piston
Front Left; w/Rear Mount Calipers; OE Phenolic Piston
The picture of this caliper is in the 3 image picture. Note the bleeder and inlet are on opposite sides of the housing.
Rockauto: 75 Dart: A-1 CARDONE Part # 164068 {Loaded; [Caliper w/Installation Hardware & Pad] Reman.}
Front Left; OE Metal Piston;Semi-Metallic Pads
The 4 image picture for this caliper image. Note the bleeder and inlet are on the same side of the housing.
SPECIAL NOTE! 1977-78 FJM calipers will have the 2.75" bore AND the bleeder / inlet configuration of the A body calipers!!!!
In short? My OPINION (do you own research for sure, I'm not responsible for what you do)...here is what I would do:
In replacing 73-76 A body calipers for a customer, I'd use the correct 2.6" bore A body calipers.
In replacing 73-76 A body calipers in MY car, I'd use the larger bore 76-78 FJM calipers in the stock front position for a little more braking force.
In replacing 73-76 A body calipers in MY car, mounting to the rear, I'd use the larger bore 79+ FJM calipers with the opposite side inlet / bleeders config.
The FJM calipers are NEARLY identical to the 73-76 A body slider calipers. The fiirst difference is the A body calipers use a 2.6" piston bore, the FJM 2.75" bore. The second difference;the physical layout of the inlet / bleeder ports are NOT identical. For me, I've found that either (A or FJM) caliper will work fine if rear or front hung.
If moving to rear hung, the right caliper becomes the left, and vice-versa. no biggie. You just need to be careful of 2 thing: 1) bleeder screws are in the top position. 2) CAREFUL routing of the hoses are a must. I use 73 Disk brake hoses in the front AND rear position, and just route them accordingly. I find that the calipers on the back side are easier to fit especially on the early A's (63-66) with sway bars.
My preference??? I prefer the FJM calipers for 3 reasons: 1) they are much cheaper to buy. 2) the larger piston bore gives more braking force at the rotor. (Force = Pressure x Area) 3) are actually designed for front or rear mounting (see rock auto description)
I've done this swap several times. I have rear mounted the calipers on early A's, front hang them on later As (as stock). No difference at all in performance. As a side note, I've also used FJM spindles AND 73+ spindles. No diff. in road manners ever encountered. FJM are more plentiful and cheaper (never mind the bump steer controversy.....but that's another thread).
Here are some of the swaps that I've done;
Car picture 1 is of a 65 Barracuda with 73 Hoses, FJM calipers, rear mounted. (2010)
Car Picture 2 is of a 75 Dart with 73 Hoses, 73+ A body calipers, front mounted (stock) position. (2008)
Car picture 3 is of a 64 Valiant with rear mounted 73+ A body calipers. Notice the same brake hose, routed slightly different for the rear mounted 73+ A body caliper. (2006)
Car picture 4 is a 72 Scamp, 73 Hoses, 73+ A body calipers, rear mounted. (2003)
Car picture 5 is a 71 Coronet, B body (drum to disk conversion), 73+ A body calipers. (2005)
FWIW: I'm doing 2 other conversion in the coming months; 73 Dart Sport and a 65 Belvedere are both getting rear mounted FJM calipers!
Caliper Information:
Rockauto: 80 Diplomat: A-1 CARDONE Part # 184145 {Unloaded; [Caliper w/Installation Hardware] Reman.}
Front Right; w/Forward Mount Calipers; OE Phenolic Piston
Front Left; w/Rear Mount Calipers; OE Phenolic Piston
The picture of this caliper is in the 3 image picture. Note the bleeder and inlet are on opposite sides of the housing.
Rockauto: 75 Dart: A-1 CARDONE Part # 164068 {Loaded; [Caliper w/Installation Hardware & Pad] Reman.}
Front Left; OE Metal Piston;Semi-Metallic Pads
The 4 image picture for this caliper image. Note the bleeder and inlet are on the same side of the housing.
SPECIAL NOTE! 1977-78 FJM calipers will have the 2.75" bore AND the bleeder / inlet configuration of the A body calipers!!!!
In short? My OPINION (do you own research for sure, I'm not responsible for what you do)...here is what I would do:
In replacing 73-76 A body calipers for a customer, I'd use the correct 2.6" bore A body calipers.
In replacing 73-76 A body calipers in MY car, I'd use the larger bore 76-78 FJM calipers in the stock front position for a little more braking force.
In replacing 73-76 A body calipers in MY car, mounting to the rear, I'd use the larger bore 79+ FJM calipers with the opposite side inlet / bleeders config.
