Don't over think this simple repair. Go to your local FLAPS and buy a caliper.
Endless Part Options
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Gilbert, AZ
Endless Part Options
Amigos, I am new to corvettes and classic car repairs. I have an 81 vette I bought a few months ago and have a caliper leak. I have been reading forums and websites and don’t know which way to go. There are endless brands that make these parts. New and rebuilt. I don’t want to buy the wrong one and waste money. It’s an easy fix but not sure where to turn for quality parts. I’d like to keep some things more original but am open to upgrades. Should I stress this much about brand of parts and quality? It’s overwhelming 🤣🤣
Kirk
Kirk
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Gilbert, AZ
Exactly. I don’t know. I’ve read not to waste money on rebuilt one. I’m not building a show car. I’ll be driving it for fun weekends. Want it to look original but doesn’t need to be original. Is online better than NAPA, autozone, oreilys? I’ll done both rear and then front later. Should I worry about brand name or certain websites? Or is Napa, oreily brakebest brand ok? 🤣🤣
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
FWIW I have a Napa sourced caliper on mine and have no complaints. I have heard you want to make sure the caliper has a Delco stamp on them, as my understanding is that those are remanufactured originals, not some offshore crap.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
NAPA or other quality auto parts store can supply what you need. Get calipers with stainless steel sleeves in the piston bores. Also ask what 'price options' they have for S.S. sleeved calipers as they may have 2 or 3 choices. If one of the options is LOTS less expensive (or 'cheap'), it's likely poor quality metal and machining...far east manufacture. Stay clear of that one. Select another that you think is a quality part.
In general, when you are purchasing 'safety-related' parts, for brakes steering, suspension, etc, you want to buy a good quality, well made, long-lasting part. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THE CHEAPEST PARTS AVAILABLE. Those parts are for fools thinking they are "saving money". Except, they could be spending their LIFE! With aftermarket vintage car parts, you get what you pay for.........
In general, when you are purchasing 'safety-related' parts, for brakes steering, suspension, etc, you want to buy a good quality, well made, long-lasting part. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THE CHEAPEST PARTS AVAILABLE. Those parts are for fools thinking they are "saving money". Except, they could be spending their LIFE! With aftermarket vintage car parts, you get what you pay for.........
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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Autozone caliper are warrantied for life. JUst open a free rewards account and they keep track of it with your phone number. But the lip seal design is prone to leak eventually. If you want to make sure you dont get another lip seal leak. You can rebuild them all with a kit from CSSB INC. they just reopenned their web store. ITs super easy to do as long as your bores arent pitted.
https://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-brake-calipers.aspx
home page
https://www.cssbinc.com/
its the best way to go
https://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-brake-calipers.aspx
home page
https://www.cssbinc.com/
its the best way to go
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Sep 18, 2021 at 07:40 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,947
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
I'll second the CSSB Inc. rebuild kit endorsement. That's what I did for my 80.
For my 79, I used Lonestar calipers via Zip (they are wholesale only, but many vendors carry them). Other sources may have lifetime warranty, but no assurance of the source.
For my 79, I used Lonestar calipers via Zip (they are wholesale only, but many vendors carry them). Other sources may have lifetime warranty, but no assurance of the source.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
Go with one of the specialty suppliers, and you will be taken care of. Go with parts store calipers, and one may leak. Warrenty will get you a new one for no extra $$, but it is annoying. I went with oriellys calipers all around, and one ended up leaking. Got it warrentied, and 1 year later no leaks. Its definitely a get what u pay for sort of deal.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
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From: US-PNW
So in the bigger picture, for appearance items, go with a Corvette parts vendor like Paragon, Corvette Central, Al Knoch, Zip, Ecklers, etc. For mechanicals, unless you are striving for accurate reproductions, then NAPA, O'Reilly's, or your favorite local auto parts store (FLAPS) will do. Corvettes of that era were regular production line vehicles and often used parts common to other GM model lines, so the Corvette vendors are less required for these types of things. One thing to be aware of is that if you are changing out a dated component, like starter, alternator, etc, don't trade it in as a core, sell it here, on the NCRS classified, or even eBay, as there are restorers searching for the correct parts and they can usually be rebuilt.