VP&P "New" rear caliper

[Craig J.]

Happy early 4th of July everyone!

Please review the photos below and let me know if these "new" calipers look correct. Specifically, I'm interested in the pin bosses on top of the calipers, and in particular, the one that looks like it was ground at an angle. I don't think this is correct and would like to get some feedback from fellow Vette owners.

I ordered two "new" rear calipers from VB&P and one caliper looked perfect but the right rear caliper had 2 problems. Here are photos of the right rear caliper (remember, this is supposedly made from new castings):

DSCN2655[1].jpg DSCN2653[1].jpg

A couple of things to note:

1. There's no lettering on the outer caliper half. Hmmm, pretty strange as all the new calipers should have the Delco Moraine lettering and part number in the casting.
2. The boss (eyelet?) on top of the caliper casting is ground in a pretty strange way. The right hand photo above clearly shows this. Never seen this before, and it looks pretty weak compared with the "unground" pin boss on the other caliper half. Since that holds the pin that holds the pads, I want this as strong as possible.

I called VB&P and sent them the photos, and they agreed this didn't look right. They think an old caliper half was used for my "new" caliper. That really makes me curious about VB&P's quality control.

VB&P said they would send out a replacement "new" caliper. 9 days later, it arrived.

The caliper seemed to really rattle around in the shipping box. Open it up and surprise, no packing material was used. Nothing...just the plastic bag the caliper was placed in. Not impressed. These calipers are pretty tough, so it should be okay. When I inspected the caliper, it looked like deja vu all over again. Here are a couple photos of the replacement "new" caliper:

DSCN2663[1].jpg DSCN2662[1].jpg Notice the odd grind on the right hand pin boss? Looks just like the one they initially sent me.

Here's my question: Is it normal for the outer caliper half of the right-rear caliper to have the pin boss shaped like this? The right-rear caliper currently on my Vette (1977) doesn't look like that at all. It is full thickness over the entire boss.

I would appreciate any observations about these calipers. Thank you.

[Edward J.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Craig, I think those calipers castings have seen a rough life. although I am sure they will function properly. I think I would ask for a better set in you are planning on flight judging the car. If your calipers are in better shape maybe send them to tham for rebuilding at least you'll know what you'll be getting back. (If this possible)

[Joe R.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Craig,

Delco Moraine does not make new calipers and for someone else to make them with the Delco Moraine Logo would mean a quick trip to the Courtroom!

If you want correct calipers for your Corvette have your originals ss sleeved or purchase a set and use yours for cores!

Stainless Steel Sleeved Original calipers judge real well and also give you the reliability you should be looking for in your Corvette.

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Craig,

Delco Moraine does not make new calipers and for someone else to make them with the Delco Moraine Logo would mean a quick trip to the Courtroom!

If you want correct calipers for your Corvette have your originals ss sleeved or purchase a set and use yours for cores!

Stainless Steel Sleeved Original calipers judge real well and also give you the reliability you should be looking for in your Corvette.

JR

JR-------


New calipers are reproduced under the GM Restoration Parts licensing program and do carry most of the original markings, including casting number and Delco logos. However, I believe these castings are sourced from China and some of the ones I've seen are a bit rough.

I suppose there are also "generic" new castings out there, too, probably also sourced from China.

[Craig J.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Thanks for the replies.

I think I figured out why that pin boss would be ground down as it is...if someone switched wheels, there could be clearance issues with the caliper, specifically the pin boss. So, grinding that outer half pin boss would be an easy way to provide more clearance between the caliper and the wheel. Which tells me these are not 100% new castings as I was told.

It looks as if VB&P sold me a caliper with half being a new casting and the other being someone's core, and one in rough shape.

I'll talk with them tomorrow about this. I'm really disappointed with VB&P so far.

[Patrick H.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Lonestar Caliper is the company that makes the new calipers under license from GM. Looking at the photos on their website, the calipers do not appear to have been modified like yours are. Take a look for yourself.

Patrick

[Joe R.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

JR-------


New calipers are reproduced under the GM Restoration Parts licensing program and do carry most of the original markings, including casting number and Delco logos. However, I believe these castings are sourced from China and some of the ones I've seen are a bit rough.

I suppose there are also "generic" new castings out there, too, probably also sourced from China.

Joe,

Like I said in the second part of my answer. Every caliper company has original castings with stainless steel if you want originality. I have never considered a repo caliper since the SS is making an improvement on originals.
Would you not agree?

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Joe,

Like I said in the second part of my answer. Every caliper company has original castings with stainless steel if you want originality. I have never considered a repo caliper since the SS is making an improvement on originals.
Would you not agree?

JR

JR-------


Yes, I agree. I would prefer original castings with SS sleeves providing that they're from good cores and have a high quality stainless steel sleeve installation. One big reason for my preference is that original 546xxxx and 545xxxx castings are ductile iron whereas reproductions are all gray cast iron (same as 547xxxx castings). However, the new castings are available with both natural cast iron and stainless steel sleeved piston bores. So, one can obtain new castings with the benefits of stainless steel sleeves.

[Craig J.]

Re: VP&P "New" rear caliper

Patrick, good idea to check out Lonestar! I looked at their rebuilt calipers and saw that they too have a pin boss that is angled on the outer half of the caliper (image from Lonestar):
Lonestar_Rebuilt.jpg
The pin boss circled in red is angled like the right-rear calipers I've received. Compare that with the boss circled in green...that pin boss is not angled at all. The angled part also has a cast appearance (e.g. it isn't ground smooth & there are no grinding marks), so this looks like Delco cast them with this angle. The part number showing on my RR outer caliper half is 5473807.

If anyone can confirm that this is how the calipers looked coming out of the factory, I'd be grateful. Thank you.