How To Install Cobra Brakes On A Vintage Mustang

The Vintage Venom kit is designed for drum brake cars. So for Merv's GT with its front disc brakes, we needed to acquire a new pair of drum brake hubs, making sure they didn't have counter-sunk holes on the inboard side. If you're replacing drum brakes, then you'll need to separate the hub from the drum, which can be done by carefully tapping on the studs. Whether you're using a new hub or the existing hub, the lug holes must be carefully opened up to 0.620 inch (approximately 0.010 inch larger) to accommodate the longer ARP studs, which are supplied in the Vintage Venom kit. Unless you're experienced, you may want to have the holes enlarged and the studs pressed in by a local machine shop.

With the longer studs and new bearings installed, the hub slides onto the spindle and is secured with the large spindle nut and cotter pin.

Coat the inside of the opening with antiseize, then slide the aluminum spacer over the studs.

After installing the Cobra rotor, install the lug nuts backward (so the flat area is against the rotor) and tighten to draw the spacer, hub, and bracket together.

Two bolts attach the caliper bracket to the Vintage Venom aluminum bracket.

With the caliper bracket installed and torqued to specification, spin the rotor to check its alignment.

Assemble the brake pads to the Cobra calipers and install them to the caliper brackets.

Moving to the front brake line, unbolt this factory bracket from the framerail.

Install the Cobra brake hose to the caliper, then position the bracket onto the framerail for marking and drilling a hole for the attaching screw. The bracket should end up right below the upper control arm.

A brake line must be made to connect the factory brake line to the Cobra hose.

Here's how our custom-made line looped around from the original line to the new hose. Every application will probably be different.

With the front brakes buttoned up, Merv was able to install the 17-inch wheels from Ford Racing. They're shod with 245-45-ZR17 Toyo Proxes performance tires.