So, I know I'm going to need new or rebuilt calipers all the way around my '71 restoration. My question is what kind of condition is "acceptable" for the old cores? Mine are original but sat in storage for 25 years. They worked OK back when it was running, but are pretty rusted now. One also has a mounting bolt that broke off flush with the caliper's edge. Will that have to be removed before it's sent in as a core?

Thanks,
Paul

 

how much is the core charge? you may want to keep all your cores just in case...

 

On O'Reillys site add a caliper into your cart, an additional ($30.00ea) will be added as a core charge.
Open your cart and click on the +Core text under the price.
A Core Charge disclaimer dialog box will open. Sounds as if the core credit is NOT instant.
Ask questions, I would think any broken hardware that would need to be removed the re-builder would find the core unusable.
Years ago (1990's I'm guessing) I had a local (Olympic Brake Supply) shop machine and install SS sleeves in my originals. Looks as if they only have stores on the West side.

 

What are you wanting to do with the replacements do you want to keep the car original or do you not care then just go ahead and get some Chinesium ones I wouldn’t care about the bolts sticking through there if I’m going to just trade them in they’re not gonna look at them other than there’s something in the box.
sometimes it’s helpful to add pictures of the broken bolt etc. and some people with a lot of expertise and then give you a better opinion of either a how to get it out or be a better opinion of if they’ll care on the court charge etc. etc. good luck I personally will just rebuild the ones you have (and just buy one replacement if bolt dont come out original style), Or at least take them apart and do a good inspection there’s a lot of discussion on here and rightfully so of stainless leaves being added etc. but I got to be honest with you it’s been about four months of driving mine with some gnarly looking inside botes that are not stainless steel and I haven’t had a leak yet on lip seals.
Again depending on your level of wanting details of originality and also give you a good opportunity to paint them anyway you see fit I like to use of Evaporust or similiar concotion and let them soak overnight they come out looking brand new..

 

It doesn't matter if they're rusty or have broken-off bleeder, etc. The brake rebuild places sand blast them and fix/machine the boogers out. Or they discard it if it's too far gone as a part of doing business.

Do they have correct casting numbers on them? They may be worth more to the 'right' guy (or not)...

.

 

Thanks for the answers folks. I'm not too concerned with originality as I plan this as a non-NCRS restoration including a Dewitts radiator, a new sound system and adding Vintage Aire.

I will soak them in Evap-o-Rust to see how they clean up and then disasseble one just to see the inner workings and their potential for rebuilding. In the mean time I'm trying to remove that broken bolt myself just to see whether or not I can successfully do it.

If they are rebuliable and the casting numbers are original, I'll probably list them for sale to see if anyone wants them for their own project. I'm not that confident in my technical prowess to trust the braking system restoration to me doing it myself - replacement with new or professionally rebuilt parts is most likely in order.

Paul

 

They bead blast the cores anyway.
From my experience a core is rebuildable if;
No cracks.
Nothing jammed in it.
Not rebuilt before...ie does NOT have a sleeve in it already.
Is an AC DELCO-Moraine core WITH THE LOGO.....in the 80's there were 're-pop' cores out there....My rebuilder won't touch them.

BTW. I've had good luck with Lone Star, from TX.

Unkahal

 

Mind if I ask a somewhat related question on your thread? Hope not... I recently had to redo the entirety of my brake system on my 76. I have my original calipers, rotors, and front hubs - are these worth keeping? The replacements were from a guy on ebay that rebuilds factory brakes, so what I put on my car are exactly what I took off (unless they are really good fake castings with the original part numbers casted into them). I honestly do not think I want to mess with another Corvette brake for a long time, so are these worth something to someone?

 

happened to me: .

Took my cores to chevy nationals show to the place that had new rebuilt ones. you know... the corvette brakes tent..... they looked and saw previous stainless steel and deducted from my core charge refund.. Huh? why would that cost more?
Well won't do that again

next time bought from a rebuild house on internet.. charged me core charge, so I shipped ( at my cost.. heavy/expensive)
they said they were too rusty and needed extra cost to even take as a core charge. They will give me 1/3 back.. ( basically pay for my shipping )
I asked them to ship them back.. .cost more to ship them back than what I paid to ship there.. plus handling charge... now thats a racket.... read your core charge fine print...

then this last time I had had enough... had a leaky caliper, took it to autozone, they handed me a rebuilt one, took my core, no questions asked, didn't even look at the core.,, no sneaky tricks.

you can decide which method gives you the least gray hair...

Oh.. and the 4th time... I just rebuilt them myself.. bought a kit....

 

i would keep them in case your chineseum rotors fail..measure thickness and see if they are cleanable...i like the original iron..

 

wouldnt waste the cleanup on evaporust until disassembled...if you can replace them you can rebuild them..take pics many will help here..read a few threads..its easy and satisfying...and bet you take more care than most rebuilders..again see what it looks like inside...then you will get 100 mote opinions...lol and its all good!
heres mine
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-rebuild.html

 

Why not just rebuild your originals yourself? I just rebuild all mine not that long ago.

 

Took mine to Auto Zone, put them on the counter, they took their rebuilt ones out of the box's, put my old rusty ones in the box's and put a core sticker them. Did this with many different core parts without question. I don't understand why anyone would buy something without a lifetime warranty. It's also easier buying local if there is a problem. No shipping cost for returning parts either. Keeping old rusty parts is overrated , nobody wants them. Sending your old core parts back to your good , maybe not vendor who will always find a excuse not to return your money always reduces your cost. Buy local, save a job in your neighborhood. I'm not saying don't use Corvette vendors, I buy items from them , but only things that are not available local.

 

I suppose I wouldn't put it past those Chinese, but would they really cast them with original markings? They look exactly like the ones I took off my car, except way cleaner. I read Chineseum and laughed!

 

Well, did anyone think that the rebuilt calipers that were purchased might have the same casting numbers because someone turned their cores back in when they needed and purchased replacements? Thats how it works. The Chines wouldn't have to make replacements if you return your core for rebuild. But if you want NEW instead of rebuilt it probably would be Chinese built. The box they come in probably would be made in the USA

 

most auto parts chain stores will take a core back no questions asks. maybe if its broken in half or something they would give you an issue but I've never had an issue. only issue here is you dont know if you get a real delco caliper back or not. Oreilys is all Chinese crap calipers, advance auto is about 50/50 shot. last calipers i got from Napa were real rebuilt delcos.

these specialty vette places have gotten a bit too picky IMO. i bought a set of o ring calipers through CSSB. they wouldnt take one of my cores back because they said my caliper sleeve was nicked- they sent me pics on the very edge where a piston would never possibly go. and it wasnt leaking there when i removed it. i removed it because of an issue with the bleeder screw.

 

not sure where you got rotors bit generally speaking...
yes..yes they would..cant see alloy content etc...
im betting a 0.01% chance of getting oem calipers from chain stores...as well..
again if op doesnt care then by all means cheap chinesium is a path as i know of no other USA oem style calipers..

 

Had calipers sleeved. Junk.The brake store ss said when they leaked read the warranty card (two years) was the warranty period. Rebuild your own and it is very easy if you can find the parts, and they will last if you flush fluid every year!

 

The Lone Star website says "Wholesale Only" in the upper banner... Do they sell direct to individual corvette owners?

Paul

 

It was Lone Star that I got mine from, hopefully they last.Look on ebay @nwav8tor . no core although he offered to buy my old ones. I kept them, just wrapped then up and boxed them in the Lone Star boxes. I suppose I should clean them up so they dont just rust away...