Big Brakes ????????
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Instructor
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From: Marble Falls/Austin Tx
Big Brakes ????????
I warned you guys about the newbie questions right? - I don't know a whole lot about classic cars. My dad got me hooked when he gave me a 67 GTO when I was 15 (all original, matching, correct, whatever) - Dad is the one I call when something goes wrong or when I have questions (until I found you guys here on the forum) .
I tracked down a previous owner of my new vette and asked him about some of the restoration that had been done. He asked me if I bought the car because it has 'big brakes'. I don't even know what that means, guess I've never had those before. Clue me in
Thanks - Cynthia
[Modified by clcintx, 11:30 PM 11/6/2002]
I tracked down a previous owner of my new vette and asked him about some of the restoration that had been done. He asked me if I bought the car because it has 'big brakes'. I don't even know what that means, guess I've never had those before. Clue me in
Thanks - Cynthia
[Modified by clcintx, 11:30 PM 11/6/2002]
Melting Slicks
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From: Pleasant Grove AL
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (clcintx)
"Big brakes" refers to any of the optional hevvy duty brake packages offered on C1's. Some had fresh air ducting and cooling fins to aid in reducing brake fade. Generally speaking it was racing equipment and performed poorly on the street due to metallic linings that had to be hot in order to function properly.
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Re: Big Brakes ???????? (62fuelie)
If you have one of the 57-62 Vettes with the factory "big" brake or HD brake options, you have something that is rather rare and quite expensive if it has all the right parts. Not all, but MOST of the cars with HD brakes also had fuel injection. I can't tell from the picture, but does your car have FI (or can you tell if it did originally)? If it was a FACTORY HD brake car and DID NOT have FI, then it is even more rare! You better hang on to that one!
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From: Marble Falls/Austin Tx
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (DZAUTO)
The car originally had big brakes and fuel injection (283ci 275hp FI) when it was manufactured - whether the car currently has 'all the right parts' for the brakes or still has fuel injection, I would have to ask my dad or my boyfriend??
I checked the production specs at: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/1961.html and http://www.idavette.net/facts/61.htm (for some reason they differ) - and they list the metalic brakes and heavy duty brakes as different options - 62fuelie's comments make it sound like i have the metalic option - but DZAUTO's comments sounds like i have the heavy duty options????? still a little confusing, but thanks!
[Modified by clcintx, 11:44 PM 11/6/2002]
I checked the production specs at: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/1961.html and http://www.idavette.net/facts/61.htm (for some reason they differ) - and they list the metalic brakes and heavy duty brakes as different options - 62fuelie's comments make it sound like i have the metalic option - but DZAUTO's comments sounds like i have the heavy duty options????? still a little confusing, but thanks!
[Modified by clcintx, 11:44 PM 11/6/2002]
Melting Slicks
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From: Chuckanut WA
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (clcintx)
"Big brakes" is actually a misnomer as the drums were the same size although lining configuration and size varied between the various options. RPO 686 offered segmented sintered metalic linings in combination with standard sized drums with a special microground finish. RPO 687 offered slightly differently configured segmented sintered metalic linings in conjunction with finned and vented drums with built in cooling fans, vented backing plates with air scoops, and fast steering adapter. This option was only available with 3 or 4 speed manual transmissions and 270 or 315 hp engines and posi rear axles. As you can see it should be relatively easy to determine if you car has the 687 option. The 686 option will only obvious if you pull the drums to look at the linings.
Can't tell you how many of each option were actually delivered, but the 687 option is definitely rare and accordingly boosts value of so equipped car. :cheers:
[Modified by K2, 10:33 PM 11/6/2002]
Can't tell you how many of each option were actually delivered, but the 687 option is definitely rare and accordingly boosts value of so equipped car. :cheers:
[Modified by K2, 10:33 PM 11/6/2002]
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From: Marble Falls/Austin Tx
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (K2)
That makes it much clearer, on the list of options that I have for my car 'big brakes and quick steering' is listed as one item (I never really understood why). Which from your description is the RPO 687 (heavy duty breaks with the fast steering adapter)
My car also has:
4 speed Powerglide Automatic Transmission
283ci 275hp Fuel Injected Engine
(but these doen't match up with the what you say was required for the RPO 687?)
I'm not sure if I have the positraction rear axle, but it seems like a pretty common option, so I would assume so.
The part where you mentioned it being available on the '270 or 315 hp engines' is a little confusing - It was only available on the smaller (270hp), non-FI engine and the larger (315hp) FI? or is it both FI engines (the 275hp and the 315)
PS - Beautiful Car!!! How did you get it so shinny?
[Modified by clcintx, 6:53 PM 11/7/2002]
My car also has:
4 speed Powerglide Automatic Transmission
283ci 275hp Fuel Injected Engine
(but these doen't match up with the what you say was required for the RPO 687?)
I'm not sure if I have the positraction rear axle, but it seems like a pretty common option, so I would assume so.
The part where you mentioned it being available on the '270 or 315 hp engines' is a little confusing - It was only available on the smaller (270hp), non-FI engine and the larger (315hp) FI? or is it both FI engines (the 275hp and the 315)
PS - Beautiful Car!!! How did you get it so shinny?
[Modified by clcintx, 6:53 PM 11/7/2002]
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From: Washington Michigan
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (clcintx)
Check out this link - excellent article on "Big Brakes" - check the 1961 section for what was applicable in that year. Powerglide is a 2-speed transmission, and your description says you have a 4-speed automatic transmission - have you swapped to a later 4-speed automatic?
http://www.libertyship.com/rpo/RPO1.htm
http://www.libertyship.com/rpo/RPO1.htm
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From: Marble Falls/Austin Tx
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (JohnZ)
Good Article!
I checked the info that I have on the car - It is a power glide now - It used to be a 4 speed - I know the engine is not original and was rebuilt and put in my car a couple years ago - and we think the transmission was rebuilt / replaced when the engine was done - Sorry about the confusion :crazy:
I checked the info that I have on the car - It is a power glide now - It used to be a 4 speed - I know the engine is not original and was rebuilt and put in my car a couple years ago - and we think the transmission was rebuilt / replaced when the engine was done - Sorry about the confusion :crazy:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
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From: Chuckanut WA
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (clcintx)
According to my information option 687 was only offered with the 270 and 315 hp engine combinations because they had the special mechanical lifter cams. The 275 hp FI had hydraulic cam. As was pointed out in the article John put up many of these kits were sold over the counter so they could have ended up on anything. I stand corrected on the drum sizes as the front drums were wider than stock drums. A lot of literature out there isn't accurate and sometimes its difficult to discern what is actually correct. Thanks John, for the very informative article.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Granbury Texas
Re: Big Brakes ???????? (clcintx)
Cynthia,
Regardless of which brake package, and regardless of what is on the car right now, it sounds like you have a rare combination (as an original car) which would be of exceptional value to a restorer, Therefore, I would recommend that you have your car reviewed, and appraised (if for no other reason, think insurance value) by an expert, such as Jim Gessner (vettefinderjim), or JohnZ above. Post on the board, or e-mail one of them. You'll be glad you did.
[Modified by 63Corvette, 6:12 PM 11/8/2002]
Regardless of which brake package, and regardless of what is on the car right now, it sounds like you have a rare combination (as an original car) which would be of exceptional value to a restorer, Therefore, I would recommend that you have your car reviewed, and appraised (if for no other reason, think insurance value) by an expert, such as Jim Gessner (vettefinderjim), or JohnZ above. Post on the board, or e-mail one of them. You'll be glad you did.
[Modified by 63Corvette, 6:12 PM 11/8/2002]
