I would like to know if the rear disc brakes from a 78 lincoln mark 5 9 inch will bolt on to a early small bearing ford rear end?

No....not without an adaptor. Do you have a LINCOLN laying around that you can use?

Currie Enterprises makes adaptors to mount the later MARK VII (also T-BIRD/SVO MUSTANG) for the 9" rear. I think these are better in design and ease of service. The latest kick is EXPLORER conversions, but it has two tiny brake shoes to act as the emergencey (hand) brake. Talk about shades of GM...

Actually, your FAIRLANE should have 10" x 2" brakes on the back of it. If you find a 1963/1965 SW, the shoes are 2 1/2" and has larger wheel cylinders. This will bring it down real quick.

With a GRANADA front disc conversion, you should have all the brakes you need.

Kinda aggravating aint I?