In reference to rebuilding the rear calipers on a 71', do I need any special tools/pressess to complete this task. Also once the chambers have been cleaned for new inserts, what are your recommendations to have them repainted with POR 15 or is this another product you would recommend. I assume sandblasting would damage them, but correct me if I am wrong. Thanks in advance.

 

I am assuming the 71 calipers are the same as my 77. I overhauled both of mine you do not need any special tools its as easy as seperating the 2 halfs and removing the pistons and springs. I capped off all my openings and did sand blast them and then flushed them out with a solvent when I was done. I painted mine with high temp silver paint. When you reassemble you coat the bores with a lubricant and make sure the umbrella seals seat properly. You may need a very small screwdriver to seat them. I did mine about a year ago with no problems at all.

 

No special tools are required if the caliper bores are not pitted.
If they are badly pitted, then they need to be sleeved with stainless sleeves.
If they are already sleeved, they may be okay as-is.
If they are not sleeved, and mildly pitted, they need to be honed,
in which case you will need a caliper honing set.

Use a "'dull" tool to help urge the new piston o-rings into the bores
when attached to the pistons. A sharp tool will damage the new o-rings. I have several well-worn (rounded) small screw drivers I use for this.

RE: Sandblasting... I sandblast calipers all of the time.
You have to mask off the bores carefully making sure to get full
coverage, and, you have to re-check them during the blasting process
to make sure the masking stays intact. The key is to remove all traces
of oil/fuid from the bores so the tape will stick... and to use a high
quality masking tape... not the cheap stuff.

I also use wet/dry sandpaper and a piece of scrap 1/2" plate glass
to sand the mating surfaces between the caliper halves. These surfaces take a lot of abuse and are often messed up.
Sanding will show you the high/low spots as well. If they do not mate right, the small o-ring between the caliper halves may not seal.

If you use DOT 5 fluid, you can paint them with engine enamel because DOT 5 will not lift the paint.
If you use DOT 3/4... you need to use something more resistant to
brake fluid.

 

Thanks for the info. I have started a restoration on my 71' that has sat in my parent's garage for the last 15+.years. Many more questions to come in the near future...