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You know you have been replacing way too many parts when you cannot remember which ones you replaced. I recently worked on the rear suspension of my 68 convert and had the rear calipers disconnected and off the car for about two weeks. When I put everything back together I had some difficulty getting the brakes bled, but even after getting all of the air out, the left front brake did not pull its weight, so to speak. The car pulled sharply to the right under hard stops and the left front rotor did not get enough pressure from the pads to wear off the surface rust on the rotor. I spent another hour bleeding the left front caliper and it still did not correct the problem. I know the stock calipers were prone to rusting- which would cause them to perform poorly- but believed I had replaced all four calipers with the stainless steel sleeved type when I got the car. Only after sifting thru all of my parts receipts did I realize I replaced the rotors, pads and hoses, and only the front right caliper. So, I got to send another $200 off to the giant hole in the ground for Corvette parts money to get another caliper.
Dear Ron.... I have developed many procedures that have been hard earned over 42 years of working on C-3's.
1. Never 'mock-up' an assembly and walk away....death can ensue.
2. Statistical process control dictates that if (example) your right front headlight goes out, replace both.
3. Driveline....replace things in pairs (at least).
4. Learn the grades of bolts!
5. Locktite is your friend.
Unfortunately, depending on time...yes get the new caliper, I'd probably bite the bullet and get TWO.
Trees move rather fast at 90!
I just got 4 DELCO MORAINE rebuilt stainless sleeved o-ring calipers....$408 for four....maybe you need a new vendor!
Dear Ron.... I have developed many procedures that have been hard earned over 42 years of working on C-3's.
1. Never 'mock-up' an assembly and walk away....death can ensue.
2. Statistical process control dictates that if (example) your right front headlight goes out, replace both.
3. Driveline....replace things in pairs (at least).
4. Learn the grades of bolts!
5. Locktite is your friend.
Unfortunately, depending on time...yes get the new caliper, I'd probably bite the bullet and get TWO.
Trees move rather fast at 90!
I just got 4 DELCO MORAINE rebuilt stainless sleeved o-ring calipers....$408 for four....maybe you need a new vendor!
good luck and be safe.
Unkahal
The right front caliper has been on the car less than a year, so I should be good just buying its mate for the left. I'll add to your list of rules: It's always a good repair if you get to buy another tool. Can you PM your vendor? Best price I could find was about $120 each, plus $50 core charge, plus $20 for shipping and there was no guarantee what the casting manufacturer was. New DM o-ring calipers were about $160, plus shipping, no core charge.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I got these from Autozone for $75 apiece with a 30 dollar deposit. They have a lifetime warranty and are Delco Moraine. They are sleeved and work great. JKippin has the same ones and they dont leak and they stop great. They look just llike the ones I took off bt have better rubber seals.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 03-09-2019 at 07:21 PM.
I got Delco Moraine calipers at my local Napa a couple of years ago and they definitely weren't $200. You might check your local parts stores and you could at least save the shipping cost.
However, the "I thought I already bought that part" is still FAR better than "I need to get that part", when you already did. Not sure if those are false negatives or false positive errors but I have found myself in that latter section a couple times already. Its the price you pay for an overly extended restoration project.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by How Are You
Just curious as to why you posted pics of your calipers? Not trying to be rude...maybe I missed something?
Because we were talking about calipers and prices. These are the same you'll get at any vendor for $75 a piece. Thought a pic of what you get would be nice. 3 of mine came unpainted, one had silver paint on it...
I was rereading my post and noticed the pricing was gone.....
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 03-09-2019 at 07:21 PM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by ronarndt
RR- nice job on the caliper paint. I used the G2 two part epoxy paint on mine. Is that what you used?
Thanks! I just used VHT caliper paint. I've had really good luck with VHT. I used it on the inside of my oil galley and the outside of my motor. I havent had any discoloration or chips. Its pretty sturdy once it sets up. I wish I could use a 2 part epoxy but I always seem to mix to much. The oil galley paint hasnt started peeling or bubbling so I'm happy with it. Do you wash the calipers and does the dirt just wash right off with a hose? I'm hoping I can keep mine a bit cleaner with just a hose and soap.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 03-09-2019 at 07:23 PM.
"Do you wash the calipers and does the dirt just wash right off with a hose?" The epoxy finish is really slippery and the road dirt and brake dust wash off when I wash the car. I always seem to mix too much of the two part paint too. It's not much good the next day.
However, the "I thought I already bought that part" is still FAR better than "I need to get that part", when you already did. Not sure if those are false negatives or false positive errors but I have found myself in that latter section a couple times already. Its the price you pay for an overly extended restoration project.
"I need to get that part" is why I have two copies of the 1968 factory assembly manual. It actually worked out ok, since I keep one in the garage and one in my office.
I was talking about similar thing the other day. When you buy a stored car, or pull your own car out of storage, NOONE remembers what was broken or worn-tired that caused it to become a garage queen in the first place.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
This is why I have a big list hanging on the wall when I put it up in the fall. I was looking at it the other day as to what is next. I was going to cut the cross member and weld in a bracket so it was removable but thats on hold. My next quest is the fuel level sender....which I had forgotten abbout
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 03-10-2019 at 10:27 AM.
Because we were talking about calipers and prices. These are the same you'll get at any vendor for $75 a piece. Thought a pic of what you get would be nice. 3 of mine came unpainted, one had silver paint on it...
I was rereading my post and noticed the pricing was gone.....
Okay, thanks for clearing that up. Makes sense now.
On the topic of too many parts to remember. I have a lot of duplicate parts that I bought during my restoration. I ordered parts, like the clock, and then when I finally got around to restoring the dash gauge, I ordered another clock. Same thing with a lot of small parts, decals and emblems.
I made a list of all my spare parts once, but hid it so well I cant find it now.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Whenever I have an important part I dont want to lose, I say, "I'll put it right here so I don't lose it". Problem is I can never remember where that place is until I buy one or 2 more of them. I bought 3 grill supports until I got around to putting it in. I just found the other 2, that was a year ago that I finally put it in. I bought a new stainless hardtop trim piece that goes across the front last spring, I should find the original anytime now....
03-08-2019, 11:46 AM
too many parts to remember
