63 wheel cylinders

[Michael G.]

One of the wheels cylinders in my blue 63 just failed. I made a dandy unintended right-hand turn when trying to stop from about 50 MPH. Scary

Before I take things apart, I'm wondering if correct cylinders are available anywhere? I can probably have these rebuilt, but I think new ones would probably be a better idea...

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Mike,

Maybe try Raybestos brakes or even ebay after you find the correct part #s. They may even be the same as full size Chevrolet. On my 63 I threw the originals away and replaced with new, I just can't remember if they were Raybestos or Wagner.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

One of the wheels cylinders in my blue 63 just failed. I made a dandy unintended right-hand turn when trying to stop from about 50 MPH. Scary

Before I take things apart, I'm wondering if correct cylinders are available anywhere? I can probably have these rebuilt, but I think new ones would probably be a better idea...

Michael-------




GM #19175653----left rear

GM #19175652----right rear

The above are AC Delco wheel cylinders. They could very well be "imported". I expect that you would find that any others currently available will be "imported", too.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Thanks, guys, I haven't found those part numbers anywhere and the ACDelco web site doesn't even search for 63 Corvette parts. I looked on Paragon's site and they have a disclaimer stating their parts "may not be appropriate" for judging, which is probably what I'll find with everything out there.

This car probably will never be judged again, so I'll just put some new "imported" repros on and save the old cylinders for posterity...

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Check the archives for the shop in Minneapolis that does 63 master cylinders. They do wheel cyl for $65 each. This is for a stainless sleeve.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Any FLAPS can likely provide you with functionally correct replacement wheel cylinders in a major brand.

The failure is likely due to internal corrosion from moisture contaminated brake fluid.

What's the history of this vehicle's brake system including brake fluid changes? Does the brake fluid look like week old coffee? Chances are you don't have much maintenance/repair history on your 50 year old car.

If one has failed, others are likely to follow.

You would be well served to rebuild or replace all hydraulic components including the brake hoses, and if you thoroughly flush and dry the brake pipes and new hoses with denatured alcohol you can use silicone brake fluid, which will considerably extend the service life of the hydraulic components even if you never change the brake fluid.

Any new parts you buy will need to be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled with silicone fluid.

The conversion from conventional to silicone brake fluid has been discussed here many times.

Duke

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

One of the wheels cylinders in my blue 63 just failed. I made a dandy unintended right-hand turn when trying to stop from about 50 MPH. Scary

Before I take things apart, I'm wondering if correct cylinders are available anywhere? I can probably have these rebuilt, but I think new ones would probably be a better idea...

Mike,

I rebuilt my original cylinders front and rear with Wagnor or possibly Moog parts. Might check the availability.

[Paul J.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Mike,

They are easy to rebuild with some emery paper and a hone. They're reusable as long as they are not badly pitted. By rebuilding you get to keep the part numbers.

Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Thanks, guys, I haven't found those part numbers anywhere and the ACDelco web site doesn't even search for 63 Corvette parts. I looked on Paragon's site and they have a disclaimer stating their parts "may not be appropriate" for judging, which is probably what I'll find with everything out there.

This car probably will never be judged again, so I'll just put some new "imported" repros on and save the old cylinders for posterity...

Michael-------


Any AC Delco or GM dealer should be able to order you (or stock) wheel cylinders under the part numbers I referenced. The alternate AC Delco "short numbers" for the cylinders are as follows:

left side-----18E1124

right side----18E1123

(yes, these Delco numbers don't follow the odd left and even right "rule of thumb)

By the way, these are quite inexpensive. You should be able to buy them for about 10 bucks, each, or less.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

As with most replacement parts from various "name brand" replacement parts brands, these "AC Delco" replacement parts are not manufactured by GM, and there is likely only one or maybe two manufacturing sources that supply all the brands, so buy on price and convenience from your favorite FLAPS.

I'm sure a 1963 Corvette vehicle search at napaonline.com will yield part numbers.

I believe these wheel cylinders were common to the 1963-64 full size passenger car lines, and maybe half-ton pickups, too.

Duke

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Duke, actually, I restored the entire chassis three years ago. The brake lines are three years old and the master cylinder was rebuilt then. The fluid was new then. I didn't re-build the wheel cylinders as they were working fine. They were about the only parts I left alone. I guess that little bit of laziness caught up with me.

Joe, I'll just replace them all with the generic ones from a local ACDelco shop for now. I won't know until I get the old ones out if they're original or not. If they are, I can have them sleeved and save them.

Thanks all,

[Dick W.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Duke, actually, I restored the entire chassis three years ago. The brake lines are three years old and the master cylinder was rebuilt then. The fluid was new then. I didn't re-build the wheel cylinders as they were working fine. They were about the only parts I left alone. I guess that little bit of laziness caught up with me.

Joe, I'll just replace them all with the generic ones from a local ACDelco shop for now. I won't know until I get the old ones out if they're original or not. If they are, I can have them sleeved and save them.

Thanks all,

$6.15 each from Rockauto.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 wheel cylinders

Right front usually first one to fill with water/corrision Check master as well.

Stu Fox