77 brake upgrade
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 65
From: Belgium
77 brake upgrade
Hey eveyone
I noticed that there is a leak on my rear LH brake some weeks before.
I'm Currently in the Bahama's (on vacation, I'm from Belgium.)
Should I go for original lip seals or o-rings? It's for a 77 L48 automatic. I don't care about originality but Maybe there is an advantage with lip seals? What is your experience?
When I go for O-rings, do I have to do other upgrades to, or can I keep the rest original?
What is a good premium quality set (all brakes).
Does Summit sell a kit for a 77?
I noticed that there is a leak on my rear LH brake some weeks before.
I'm Currently in the Bahama's (on vacation, I'm from Belgium.)
Should I go for original lip seals or o-rings? It's for a 77 L48 automatic. I don't care about originality but Maybe there is an advantage with lip seals? What is your experience?
When I go for O-rings, do I have to do other upgrades to, or can I keep the rest original?
What is a good premium quality set (all brakes).
Does Summit sell a kit for a 77?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,402
Likes: 8,208
From: Napa Valley California
Wilwood makes four piston caliper kits (D8-4)(4 piston) that are a direct fit and are a good upgrade from the factory design.
Summit Racing sells the complete kits which is basically swapping the calipers to the new Wilwood's and swapping the old rubber brake lines to steel braided.
Wilwood also makes their D8-6 calipers (6 piston) for the front that will fit if you are running the stock ralley wheels.
But, if you are running 15" aftermarket wheels or ever plan to install aftermarket 15" wheels, stick with the D8-4's as the D8-6 calipers may not have sufficient caliper to wheel clearances.
Summit Racing sells the complete kits which is basically swapping the calipers to the new Wilwood's and swapping the old rubber brake lines to steel braided.
Wilwood also makes their D8-6 calipers (6 piston) for the front that will fit if you are running the stock ralley wheels.
But, if you are running 15" aftermarket wheels or ever plan to install aftermarket 15" wheels, stick with the D8-4's as the D8-6 calipers may not have sufficient caliper to wheel clearances.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
Assuming you want to keep your calipers, there is no advantage of o-ring seals over the original lip seal design other than some tolerance for any disc out-of-true condition, supposedly. Lip seals work fine with properly turned/shimmed discs. If you decide to go with o-rings, you'll need different replacement pistons compatible with the o-ring design.
Last edited by revitup; Jul 12, 2019 at 04:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 65
From: Belgium
Assuming you want to keep your calipers, there is no advantage of o-ring seals over the original lip seal design other than some tolerance for any disc out-of-true condition, supposedly. Lip seals work fine with properly turned/shimmed discs. If you decide to go with o-rings, you'll need different replacement pistons compatible with the o-ring design.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
There maybe other issues inside the calipers to cause a leak. Are the calipers stainless steel sleeved. Originals aren't. Are the pistons severely corroded? Are the lip seals torn/swelled? You may want to assess the condition on the insides of the calipers before you order anything.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 65
From: Belgium
There maybe other issues inside the calipers to cause a leak. Are the calipers stainless steel sleeved. Originals aren't. Are the pistons severely corroded? Are the lip seals torn/swelled? You may want to assess the condition on the insides of the calipers before you order anything.
But because I'm on holidauy in the 'South' (Georgia, Tennesee, Alabama, Louisiana), parts much cheaper then when I jave to ship them to Belgium.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
I have done about a half dozen O-ring conversions. If your calipers have been sleeved in stainless steel, do your self a favor and buy an O-ring conversion kit for about $150 US dollars. O-rings work best for cars driven infrequently. My set in my 68 are 15 plus years old and no problems. My 66 set are 10 years old, again, no problems. Good luck. Jerry
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I will add my experience with lip seals. I replaced my calipers with ss sleeves and lip seals. That was 25+ years ago. The car sits for 6 months during the winter. As of yesterday, no leaks with the lip seals. Imo, lip seals work every bit as good as o rings. Save your money.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
If the caliper bores aren't ss, they maybe corroded. If so, new seals won't fix the leak.