Topic: Standard Trans Disc Brake Pad...

[s2ms]

On the disc brake pedal pad used on 65-73 with a M/T, are the letters in the insert painted black or left natural on originals? I've seen them both ways, particularly interested in 66 if it makes a difference.

Thanks,
Dave

[CharlesTurner]

Black paint with narrow letters.  I typically like to re-use originals as even the Ford replacements are not always exact.

[s2ms]

Thanks Charles. It does seem like nearly all the NOS replacements I've seen have slightly different letters that are unpainted.  Haven't tried this, is it easy to pry the insert out? 

[CharlesTurner]

Yep, originals can be pried out without too much effort.

[JKWilson]

Charles your reply is interesting. I had never thought about it and always assumed the letters were black. After reading your reply I looked at a repop A/T disk brake pedal pad I bought. They weren't painted, however, it IS a repop. Sooooo, out to the garage I went. I looked at my GT which still has the original M/T disk brake pedal pad. Ummmm, they aren't painted either! The car is a Metuchen car with an Oct '65 scheduled build date. I'd be happy to snap a pic of it and post if you'd like.

[CharlesTurner]

I'm going from memory and know there is a very blatant difference in the repro and assembly line parts.  I wouldn't mind seeing a pic to confirm.

[JKWilson]

Charles, the only reason I mentioned my repop A/T brake pad is that it was the handiest when I began to check. Upon seeing it's letters unpainted, I didn't fully trust it. That's when I checked my original M/T pad. Here's a picture of the original M/T pad:



If there's any further questions as to it's originality I can try to take it off and get a shot of the back of it also. Because of it's age the rubber is pretty hard now. I really don't want to tear it up while trying to remove it. Otherwise I would have pulled it after shooting this picture. Hope it helps!

[66kcoupe]

Its not a super great pic but the original brake pad on my 66 metuchen car (March 31) has the black painted letters. They still look very good after 118,500 miles. Car is original and been in my family all its life.

[rockhouse66]

My 9/65 scheduled build San Jose car has an original pad, C5Z number on the back, and black painted letters.  It had been on there so long that the metal trim around one edge is worn through!  The repro I bought as a replacement is pretty similar but the letters aren't painted.

[steve_f]

My SJ May 65 build has what I believe to be an original M/T disc brake pad (I didn't pry it off and check the back though) with the letters unpainted.

Steve

[rockhouse66]

Here is my 9/65 with the painted letters - isn't this fun??

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks for the additional weighing-in on this topic.  I'm glad I wasn't losing my mind!   

[s2ms]

Thanks all for the replies. Was able to easily pry the insert on the original pad from a 66 GT350 carry over car I got in a pile of parts years ago and put it on a newer NOS service replacement which had unpainted smaller, thicker letters in it's insert.  FWIW, it was very easy to remove an insert but took more patience to reinsert one, ended up working great.   

...I'm glad I wasn't losing my mind!   ...

No comment....

Charles, hope to see you, and any others who attend, at the Mustang Roundup this weekend...

Dave

[steve_f]

The font of the letters appear to be different between painted and unpainted.  The unpainted letters appear to be narrower, especially the "C" and "D".  I don't know if I can get my unpainted pad off to verify it is the original or not without breaking it.

[JKWilson]

Well I'll be, another screwy difference!   

One thing I noticed comparing my image with Jim's, if the letters are painted then they're also larger. The unpainted pads have smaller letters! This can actually be seen once you look closely at all of the images posted. Interesting..veerrrrryyy interesting!