Front caliper brackets, correct finish

[Dave C.]

I am just about to take a load of stuff down to the plating shop, and I am wondering about the front brake caliber brackets, I have read in different publications that maybe they are supposed to be finished in gold chromate or cadmium, rather than silver. I would like to have them done in gold, if that is correct, just wondered if anyone had any conclusive knowledge on this.

[Edward J.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Dave, the My 72 has a light gold color caliper bracket on the front. I am not a plating expert but think its was Zinc plated first them dip in gold Chromate.

[Alan S.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Hi Dave,
Are you asking about your 72?
If so, I believe Edward's right.
Regards,
Alan

This bracket was just out of the bath for a day or so. The brightness tones down as time goes by.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

65 Frnt springs.jpgDave-The 65 to 67 Corvette Caliper Brackets are Silver Cad

[Dave C.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Sorry guys, I should have mentioned that the car is a 67, I have seen a couple of pictures of cars with the gold, and the corvette chassis restoration guide says they are gold as well

[Alan S.]

[Gene M.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66456[/ATTACH]Dave-The 65 to 67 Corvette Caliper Brackets are Silver Cad

Not cad, it is called clear zinc.

The mid years do not have a chromate treatment.

[Dave C.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Ok , thanks guys I guess silver it is, here is a picture of a beautifully restored car on eBay right now with them in gold.

[Joe L.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Ok , thanks guys I guess silver it is, here is a picture of a beautifully restored car on eBay right now with them in gold.

Dave------


Well, it looks like they got everything else I can see right, but the brackets are incorrectly finished.

[Dave C.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Thanks Joe, I bookmarked that car on eBay to use as somewhat of a guide, as it was so meticulously done, and they provided so many high res photos, I did think that the relay rod was supposed to be natural, and I don't believe there should be any orange paint on the machined surfaces of the spindles, here is another shot.

[Rick R.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Sorry guys, I should have mentioned that the car is a 67, I have seen a couple of pictures of cars with the gold, and the corvette chassis restoration guide says they are gold as well

I am resurrecting this old thread because I have the same question as the OP. I have my front suspension completely disassembled and am restoring it. The 7th edition of the 67 TIM shows a color picture of these brackets and states that they are "gold cadmium dichromate plated steel." ( same as the 6th edition quoted in this thread) The bracket pictured looks very gold but I suspect the camera flash may have made it appear brighter. I have attached some pics of my brackets as removed with the grease and dirt wiped off in several spots, and then one after gentle cleaning. There is no evidence that they were ever gold. They have the GM part numbers on them and are believed to be original to the car. I'd like input from 67 owners as to what they have observed regarding the finish of these brackets. My car is a mid April 67 production if that makes any difference. Thanks.

[Gene M.]

[Joe L.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

I am resurrecting this old thread because I have the same question as the OP. I have my front suspension completely disassembled and am restoring it. The 7th edition of the 67 TIM shows a color picture of these brackets and states that they are "gold cadmium dichromate plated steel." ( same as the 6th edition quoted in this thread) The bracket pictured looks very gold but I suspect the camera flash may have made it appear brighter. I have attached some pics of my brackets as removed with the grease and dirt wiped off in several spots, and then one after gentle cleaning. There is no evidence that they were ever gold. They have the GM part numbers on them and are believed to be original to the car. I'd like input from 67 owners as to what they have observed regarding the finish of these brackets. My car is a mid April 67 production if that makes any difference. Thanks.

Rick-------

The 1965-67 front caliper brackets were different than the 1968-82 brackets. The 1965-67 brackets, GM #3864115 and 3864116 were zinc or cadmium finished and there was no chromate over-plate. The 1968-82 brackets, GM #3928649 and 3928650, were zinc or cadmium finished but with a chromate over-plate.

Functionally, the two sets of brackets were interchangeable. In fact, the 3864115 was replaced by the 3928649 for SERVICE in February, 1975. The GM #3864116 was replaced for SERVICE by the 3928650 in October, 1974.

So, while there may be folks with 65-67 Corvettes that have front caliper brackets that exhibit the goldish chromate finish, the chances are great that those have been replaced somewhere along the way with the later brackets.

[Rick R.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish


Gene, thanks for your response. If I understand completely, then the TIM is in error for a 67, as I quoted it exactly, ( " GOLD cadmium dichromate steel") along with a picture of a VERY gold bracket. This is what caused my confusion as well as the OP.

[Rick R.]

Re: Front calliper bracket, correct finish

Rick-------

The 1965-67 front caliper brackets were different than the 1968-82 brackets. The 1965-67 brackets, GM #3864115 and 3864116 were zinc or cadmium finished and there was no chromate over-plate. The 1968-82 brackets, GM #3928649 and 3928650, were zinc or cadmium finished but with a chromate over-plate.

Functionally, the two sets of brackets were interchangeable. In fact, the 3864115 was replaced by the 3928649 for SERVICE in February, 1975. The GM #3864116 was replaced for SERVICE by the 3928650 in October, 1974.

So, while there may be folks with 65-67 Corvettes that have front caliper brackets that exhibit the goldish chromate finish, the chances are great that those have been replaced somewhere along the way with the later brackets.

Joe, thanks - good info. My brackets are the correct P/N , so I guess I'm good to go. As I mentioned in my response to Gene's post, the 67 TIM&JG does refer to them as gold and includes a picture of a very gold looking bracket, hence the confusion. Hopefully most judges are aware of this discrepancy. Thanks again for posting.