I would like to thank everyone in advance for any help that can be given. I just bought my first Corvette, a 78 T-Top. The car is in great shape, however the women I bought it from couldn't tell me if the brake calipers had ever been rebuilt or replaced. My Question is, if they have and they are s/s sleeved can you tell by looking at them or do I have to take them off the car and what should I be looking for? Thanks Vito
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Re: C3 Brakes
I don't think you can tell, but the first thing you should do is inspect the fluid condition in the master cylinder reservoir. If you can't clearly see the bottom, do a complete fluid flush - siphon out the old fluid and then bleed about a quart through by going around the all four cornesrs two or three times times with six to 12 pumps of the pedal until you have flushed through AT LEAST a full quart.
Duke -
Re: C3 Brakes
Vito-----
There's no positive way to externally determine if the calipers have been replaced with stainless steel units, but there are few hints that will provide strong clues:
1) many firms that re-manufacture calipers and install stainless steel liners will grind a flat spot on the side of the caliper and stamp their trademark or logo. Sometimes, they will not grind the flat spot, but just stamp some already machined, flat surface on the caliper with their name or logo. The problem is, if you're a novice at this you probably won't be able to discern these markings from original GM markings on the calipers;
2) most companies that re-manufacture calipers with stainless steel liners will paint the calipers with silver or gray paint. If the calipers are painted silver or gray, there is a very good chance that they were stainless steel lined. Original calipers were usually painted a semi-flat black, but this paint often deteriorates over time and the calipers rust.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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If they are not leaking a drop of hydraulic
fluid - there is a good chance they have been replacedComment
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Re: If they are not leaking a drop of hydraulic
If you're going to flush them, a vacuum pump works real well and gives a good final bleed when you're done. Corvette brakes are notorious for needing to be carefully bled and bled and bled. Enjoy. JeffComment
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