Original 67 caliper identification

[James H.]

I replaced my calipers and brake lines this weekend. Old lip style pistons and even had to drill out rivots on the fronts. I ordered rebuilt O-ring style replacements from Zips and I can get $240 for the cores. Can someone tell me if these pictures are originals and do most people save them if they are?

[Larry M.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

I replaced my calipers and brake lines this weekend. Old lip style pistons and even had to drill out rivots on the fronts. I ordered rebuilt O-ring style replacements from Zips and I can get $240 for the cores. Can someone tell me if these pictures are originals and do most people save them if they are?

James:

Joe L posted the casting numbers for the original calipers many times on this forum.....this info will be in the archives.

Or, if you cannot find, post the casting numbers on the calipers you have. The numbers on both sides are needed for each caliper. We can go from there and give you the model years they were used/installed.

Larry

[Peter L.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

Looks like a VetteBrakes logo on stamped on the caliper shown in the left Thumbnail. The calipers still could be the originals but they probably have been rebuilt, but that's not a surprise. Pete

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

I replaced my calipers and brake lines this weekend. Old lip style pistons and even had to drill out rivots on the fronts. I ordered rebuilt O-ring style replacements from Zips and I can get $240 for the cores. Can someone tell me if these pictures are originals and do most people save them if they are?

James-----

I can't full size your left side thumbnail photo, so I can't see the casting number. The right side photo doesn't show enough of the casting number for me to tell. However, as Pete mentioned, it does show enough to tell that these calipers have been previously sleeved and rebuilt by Vette Brakes. In general, pre-sleeved calipers are not acceptable for core refund, so you should check to see if it's even worth sending them in before you pay for shipping (which will eat up most of the core refund, anyway).

1967 Corvettes used two different sets of caliper casting numbers. For early 1967, ALL ORIGINAL caliper half casting numbers will begin with "546". For later 1967, ALL ORIGINAL caliper half casting numbers will begin with "545". Also, an original set of calipers WILL NOT contain a "mixture" of these numbers. No 1967 calipers EVER originally had any caliper halves with a casting number beginning with "547". None. No matter what ANYONE says.

By the way, inasmuch as these calipers have been previously re-sleeved, you did not really need to buy a complete set of re-sleeved, rebuilt calipers. All you needed was new pistons (o-ring type if that's your choice), new seals, and boots. Vette Brakes sleeved calipers are among the best in the business and should last "forever".

[Timothy B.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

James,

To add to what Joe stated, the kit for the lip seal pistons are available from auto parts stores for about $14./ea. If the pistons are not corroded on the inside land where they seal I bet your calipers are leaking because the car sits alot..Don't ask me how I know.

I have been told to pump the brakes to keep the lip seals round as fluid pushes them against the round sleeve. Biggest problem is if they sit and the weight of the piston starts to flat spot the lip..

I flushed and installed silicone dot 5 so if they leak it's a snap to repair and gravity bleed. No need to worry about the paint on the rims, caliper etc. with the silicone.

[Joseph M.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

Regarding casting numbers for early 67's verses later 67's. What would be the break point where 546 calipers went to 545 calipers? My car is in the 1200 range. Maybe Joe L. could offer his expertise in this area. Thanks.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

Joseph,

My 67 is 14xx serial # and I am not even sure the early 65-66 caliper is used on 67 production. I have heard it both ways so maybe others with original cars will help out.

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

Regarding casting numbers for early 67's verses later 67's. What would be the break point where 546 calipers went to 545 calipers? My car is in the 1200 range. Maybe Joe L. could offer his expertise in this area. Thanks.

Joseph-----


I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that. According to GM, the 1st design calipers were used for early 1967. Just when the changeover occurred to 2nd design, I do not know. There MAY be something on it in the 1967 Judging Guide, though.

[Terry M.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

My original 67 is a November 15, 1966 build date and all my calipers are 545.

[Joseph U.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

Timing is everything,
I just noticed some fluid on the inside of my right front tire (base engine 67) so I pulled the tire off and looked at the calipers - outside casting number is 5473796 and inside is 5452270. I will try to check the archives to check on the originality of these. So I guess the questions are - replace with new or re-build. I am not a real novice and have put breaks on my 1960 but those are drum breaks and replacing the cylinders is easy. I have never tackled disc breaks before. Is this a job that is better left to the "professionals". Also - I have been advised that I should do both left and right front at the same time - what do you think? Should I be doing all 4. Starting to run into some $$$ but it is important for the car to STOP.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe U

[Joseph U.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

I just checked the casting numbers against a post from the archives and it would seem that the outside casting 5473796 is from 1973 and the inside 5452270 is for 1967. Does that make any sense?
Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

I just checked the casting numbers against a post from the archives and it would seem that the outside casting 5473796 is from 1973 and the inside 5452270 is for 1967. Does that make any sense?
Joe

Joe------

Yes, the 5473796 is from the 73-82 period and the 5452270 is from the 67-72 period.

[Joseph U.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

so what do you think? Is it hard to rebuild them myself or is this something better left to a real mechanic. Or should I just replace them. I guess one part is original and the other is not. My car is very nice but will probably never be judged. Also - should I do the work on all four wheels or just the one that is leaking.
Any help is appreciated.
Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

so what do you think? Is it hard to rebuild them myself or is this something better left to a real mechanic. Or should I just replace them. I guess one part is original and the other is not. My car is very nice but will probably never be judged. Also - should I do the work on all four wheels or just the one that is leaking.
Any help is appreciated.
Joe

Joe-----


It's not that difficult to rebuild the calipers yourself if they have been previously sleeved. Just buy a set of pistons and seal kits from a source like Lonestar Caliper.

If it were me and I had one caliper leaking, I'd figure that the others were not that far behind. So, I'd rebuild all 4 calipers and be done with it.

Stainless steel sleeves, if of high quality like Vette Brakes and certain others, should last a lifetime. However, pistons and seals definitely do not last a lifetime. They need to be replaced from time-to-time.

[Joseph U.]

Re: Original 67 caliper identification

Thanks,
I will do all 4 - it is up on blocks now so might as well get dirty once and bleed the system once and pay only once.
Joe