J56 caliper brackets

[Mike E.]

I've had these in a box for some time. The numbers are raised--they are not the reproduction that came out a few years ago. I not knowledgeable on these--are these the correct brackets with correct numbers for the whole gamut of J56 brakes or for specific years?
Thanks,
Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

Mike------


These are the 1965-67 J-56 brackets. Note that the hole size is 15/32" for 7/16" bolts. These were used for all 1965-67. For 1968, the hole size was increased to 17/32" to accommodate 1/2" bolts used for all 1968 and later C3.

It's not just the hole size that's different, though. The bosses into which the holes were machined is slightly smaller in the 65-67 brackets than the 68-75. Otherwise, the general configuration of the 65-67 brackets is essentially the same as 1968-75.

By the way, the 1968 J-56 brackets were unique to that year. Just how they differed from the 69-75 I don't know but both the 1968 and 69-75 used 1/2" bolts.

[Mike E.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

Joe,
Thanks for your insight. That's helpful.

[Joe L.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

Mike------


By the way, there used to be a guy in, I believe, Ohio that used to reproduce the J-56 support brackets. His name was Gentile. I used to see him at Bloomington and Carlisle. He had boxes full of the brackets. I believe he used to have the GM part number on the brackets, as original (this was probably a no-no but back then I don't think anyone was paying much attention). Some of the ones being sold today as "used originals" might actually be his reproductions.

Gentile's main product was the HD differential carrier cover for 1963-79 Corvettes. In fact, I think he was the genesis of the industry. His covers made no attempt to appear original---they had different design and prominently displayed "Gentile" on the covers.

He used to distribute racy calendars that had his "tag line" on them----"what's holding up your ass", apparently a reference to his HD rear end covers that were guaranteed not to break like stock covers (stock covers rarely broke in service; they broke when some klutz installed the rear spring incorrectly).

Gentile was a HUGE guy. I think he was too heavy for his legs and he got around on an electric scooter. I think he passed away many years ago.

[Dick W.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

Bud Gentile. Very few knew it but he also cast 1965 and 1966 PB cylinders. Quite a few were sold as sleeved originals

[William F.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

My '67 came with J56 brakes, but like a lot of them, previous owner went to standard brakes due to high cost of replacing J56 pads(?). Would the J56 brackets still be on car if I wanted to convert back to J56 setup?

[Joe L.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

My '67 came with J56 brakes, but like a lot of them, previous owner went to standard brakes due to high cost of replacing J56 pads(?). Would the J56 brackets still be on car if I wanted to convert back to J56 setup?

William-------


The brackets could still be installed. They can be installed with standard calipers (which are the same as J-56 except for pad pin). I can guarantee this because I know a guy that did it (me). So, most likely, they will still be there. A glance will confirm this.

[Tim G.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

I have an original J56 1967 and it is harder to install calipers with this bracket. Mine had the original calipers in a box and I put them on after a rebuild for judging last year.

[Michael J.]

Re: J56 caliper brackets

These parts were called "stiffeners", and as John Hinckley describes the setup for a '66 (like mine) it is: "The J-56 front calipers had Pyroceram insulators on each piston, forged stiffeners supporting the lower caliper attachment, and the Inconel backing plates on the pads." The hard part to find for me was the proper pads.