72 leaking calipers, replacement advice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From: St. Charles IL
72 leaking calipers, replacement advice
I'm new to the vette world. Picked up a barn find 72 vette that has leaking calipers. I don't want to upgrade but would just like them original. Who is the best vendor for getting SS replacements with correct casting numbers. Thank you in advance.
Ive heard some mention of lone star..
Ive heard some mention of lone star..
Last edited by DarrenX33; Mar 31, 2016 at 08:38 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 836
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I was one of SSBC's first customers when they started SS sleeving vette calipers way back when. I requested and received my original calipers back SS sleeved. Check with them.
http://ssbrakes.com/
http://ssbrakes.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
You can save waiting time and shipping cost by getting everything at your local auto parts store.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Darren,
Welcome!
New old 72!!! NICE!
Depending on just how important 'originality' may become to you be aware that the calipers had date codes on them too.
So you could send your originals to someone to be sleeved or consider buying sleeved calipers at this point, but HANGING ON TO THE ORIGINALS in case you really want the originals back on the car some day.
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
New old 72!!! NICE!
Depending on just how important 'originality' may become to you be aware that the calipers had date codes on them too.
So you could send your originals to someone to be sleeved or consider buying sleeved calipers at this point, but HANGING ON TO THE ORIGINALS in case you really want the originals back on the car some day.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From: St. Charles IL
Thank you for the replies so far.
Alan, correct. I don't throw anything out. Made that mistake a long time ago when I traded my brake booster from my 69Z for a repop, ugh. This Vette is pretty original with the exception of a repaint, wrong color. Was sitting ~10 years and has 69k original miles.
Alan, correct. I don't throw anything out. Made that mistake a long time ago when I traded my brake booster from my 69Z for a repop, ugh. This Vette is pretty original with the exception of a repaint, wrong color. Was sitting ~10 years and has 69k original miles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From: St. Charles IL
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From: St. Charles IL
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Greenville Ohio
That's what I'm going through right now... I'm in the process of flushing and rebuilding my whole brake system due to mixing Dot 5 and O-ring seals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Originally Posted by redvetracr
I think Lonestar will tell you dot5 silicone fluid and o-ring seals do not mix.
Not True, I've been running Dot5 with Oring seals and no issues whatsoever. I've been running Dot5 fluid since the 80's. I replaced the leaking lip seals with Oring seals 7 years ago.
Perfect pedal and performance and no leaks anywhere.
Last edited by babbah; Apr 3, 2016 at 07:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Not True, I've been running Dot5 with Oring seals and no issues whatsoever. I've been running Dot5 fluid since the 80's. I replaced the leaking lip seals with Oring seals 7 years ago.
Perfect pedal and performance and no leaks anywhere.
Attachment 47969283
seven years ago the rubber was different
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Greenville Ohio
While dealing with my issue, I was talking to Lonestar and I was told the rubber is the same but the formula in Dot 5 has changed. This has not only been observed by Lonestar but the other mass caliper rebuilders. I guess the manufacturers of the Dot 5 will not disclose what has changed in their formulas to cause the issue with the rubber seals. My seals actually swelled and that's what caused my leaks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Originally Posted by edk136
While dealing with my issue, I was talking to Lonestar and I was told the rubber is the same but the formula in Dot 5 has changed. This has not only been observed by Lonestar but the other mass caliper rebuilders. I guess the manufacturers of the Dot 5 will not disclose what has changed in their formulas to cause the issue with the rubber seals. My seals actually swelled and that's what caused my leaks.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Greenville Ohio
They said the formula has changed in the past couple of years. The seals swell and get soft, so I believe it's the combination of the two that caused my leaks but for whatever reason, they do not recommend Dot 5 with O-Ring seals.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
FWIW-I have VBP SS lip seal calipers (no O ring seals back then) installed by me in 1985 (yes, 1985!) and I have never had a leak or issues with these calipers. The car sits 99.99% of the time driven about 500 miles per year with DOT3/4 brake fluid and SS braided brake lines, front and rear. The pedal is firm with good progressive brake feel using Performance Friction pads (it stops hard when asked) OEM master cylinder and brake booster as well. I change and bleed the brake fluid every 4-5 years. Brakes are probably better than all my other cars except my 10 C6Z06 and 12 Lexus IS350 F Sport (13 inch front rotors and 4 piston Fixed caliper with rear single piston floating caliper and 12 inch rotor)!!!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Apr 4, 2016 at 08:04 AM.
