Revised parking brake relay lever

[Clark K.]

In the December issue of Vette Vues Magazine, there is a reprint of a Chevrolet Tech Bulletin dated May 4, 1966. It deals with customer complaints of high parking brake application effort on '65 and early '66 Sting Rays.

I am thinking of having this modification done in order to improve the parking brake operation in my '65 Coupe. In reading the 1965 JG, there is no text addressing this modification. The '65 JG (page 150) states: "...a ball secured in a clevis mounted to an "L" shaped lever. This lever is mounted to a bracket on the center cross member allowing the lever to pivot.".

Since I am not an expert on Sting Ray chassis Flight Judging, I am wondering what deduction, if any, would be made due to the required "reworking of the frame attaching bracket" in order to use the revised part (relay lever part #3899399). -Clark

[Don H.]

Re: Revised parking brake relay lever

I am not an expert either, but I should think no chassis judging issues at all as that area of the chassis is not inspected. The judges go under forward and aft ends of the car, but not under the middle.

[Clark K.]

Re: Revised parking brake relay lever

The judges go under forward and aft ends of the car, but not under the middle.

Au contraire, mon frere. The last time I had my '65 L76 A/C coupe Flight judged, they were under the middle checking for proof of rocker panel brackets for my "added" side exhaust. But, that is a discussion for another day!
-Clark

[Don H.]

Re: Revised parking brake relay lever

OK, agreed Clark. They do of course check the side rails for stencil marks and serial number, and they will look under at the center crossmember for evidence of ground straps when trying to discern added side exhaust. In my very limited experience I have not seen anyone analyze the cable balance assembly of the parking brake system. But, I will leave the last word to the true experts.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Revised parking brake relay lever

.... and they will look under at the center crossmember for evidence of ground straps when trying to discern added side exhaust. In my very limited experience I have not seen anyone analyze the cable balance assembly of the parking brake system. .....

And checking for threaded / non-threaded ground strap bolt holes at the center X-member for evidence of N14 is way more difficult than examining the lever / brkt. components.

Just checked my '65 w/N14 and with a flashlight in my basement, it's a piece of cake. The reason this item is not being judged is because it doesn't (yet) appear in the manuals. And because it's nowhere near the importance of checking for added side exhaust or a change to the engine pad .

Here's the original TSB: it would be helpful if someone with examples of both levers could post pics.





m