66 caliper advice

[Rob M.]

I am looking for advice on how best to approach my calipers. They are in need of either rebuilding or replacing. They are what I believe to be original to the car. So, what is the best route to go? Replace or rebuild? Is there a particular vendor who you would recommend for either? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Rob

[Jim T.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Rob there are several discussions of replacement/rebuild of calipers in the archives.
Several venders have adds in the NCRS Driveline offering the type of service of rebuilding your calipers or selling you a complete package deal with a new master cylinder and new hoses etc.
If you know how to rebuild a brake caliper and yours have already been sleeved with stainless steel, new seals and a cleaning would be the least expensive.

[David H.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

I was very pleased with LoneStar caliper.

[Rob M.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I've never rebuilt a caliper, so I don't know if that would be the route for me or not. I've gone through the new Driveline looking for vendors and see a couple, but have no experience with them. I'm just curious what others have done and if they were pleased with the results. I'll check the archives (I haven't done that yet and should have).

Regards,
Rob

[Rob M.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Thanks David, I'll check them out.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I've never rebuilt a caliper, so I don't know if that would be the route for me or not. I've gone through the new Driveline looking for vendors and see a couple, but have no experience with them. I'm just curious what others have done and if they were pleased with the results. I'll check the archives (I haven't done that yet and should have).

Regards,
Rob

Rob-----


First, check to be sure that they are original to the car. If so, ALL of the caliper halves will have casting numbers beginning with "546".

If they are original, they will be 1st design calipers used only for 1965-E67. They require 1st design pistons which are a lot more expensive than 2nd design. However, if they are original, I'd have them rebuilt and maintained as 1st design.

[Rob M.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Joe,

I'm 98% sure they are original (I've checked the numbers). So, with that said, who would you recommend rebuild them?

Thanks,
Rob

[Rob M.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Joe,

I went out to the garage and looked again at the casting numbers. The front inner (left and right) are both 5473795 or 96 (hard to tell), but they aren't 546. The TIMJG calls for 547. Is that not correct?

Rob

[Peter L.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Rob - If I recall correctly there is/was an err in the caliper casting numbers in the 66 Judging Manual. Perhaps someone can re-confirm. Don't throw anything away, .

I had the originals on my 67 done (sleeved, etc) by Stainless Steel Brakes years ago and they have held up well. They charged a bit to do them and keep track so you get them back but check around as I'm sure other provide that service and will do an excellent job.

Pete

[Mark F.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Hi Rob

If you calipers are leaking, the repair is simple to do and the seal repair kits are always available on ebay. The ones I have purchased come from Lone Star. You can buy kits from NAPA, but you will pay about 3X. NAPA kits might be better, but I have not had any issues or failures on my ebay kits.

If you plan to change out your calipers because of numbers, you'd be better off buying a SS sleeved set that is ready to install. Lots of folks sell them. Lone Star and SS Brake are two of them.

If your calipers aren't leaking and your numbers are correct, leave them alone!

Mark

[Mark F.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Rob

In my earlier post, I should have mentioned that if your calipers are leaking and you are keeping the calipers, make certain that all four have already been SS sleeved. If not you should have this done.

Mark

[Rob M.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Hi Mark,

The calipers aren't leaking, however under breaking there is a slight pull on the front left (pulls left). And, looking at the pad wear it appears that there is uneven pad wear on the front left caliper. Not the right. Like one of the pistons is sticking?

The weekend plan was to bleed the lines and replace the pads. Well, after seeing the uneven pad wear it would appear that the calipers might need attention.

BTW - I sent you an email about this issue. I didn't expect you to be on the Board. And, it was nice to see you and your car last weekend.

rob

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 caliper advice

Joe,

I went out to the garage and looked again at the casting numbers. The front inner (left and right) are both 5473795 or 96 (hard to tell), but they aren't 546. The TIMJG calls for 547. Is that not correct?

Rob

Rob----


I would say the JG is incorrect if it says that 1966 calipers used casting numbers beginning with "547". These castings were first used for late 1972 or early 1973. There may be some SERVICE 1st design calipers which used this casting number but I don't think that any original 65-E67 calipers used these casting numbers.

It's easy to check them:

1) 1st design calipers will have cast-in piston guides in the caliper bores. Most, if not all, "547" caliper halves will not (unless there were some SERVICE 1st design calipers with "547" castings);

2) original 1st design calipers will have ceramic insulators attached to the front of the pistons. If yours does not, then they are NOT original.

[Gary B.]

'66 caliper casting #s; TIM&JG is incorrect

I can confirm that the 4th edition of the '66 TIM&JG has incorrect numbers for the caliper castings. Hopefully, the 5th edition, due out in Feb, will have the numbers corrected.

Gary