66 Resto: Brakes

[Top_Notch]

I did it. I purchased a 1966 Corvette Convertible (NOM) 327/365 4 speed. It was actually part of a deal with the purchase of my house from the previous owner.

The car has been sitting in a dry garage since 1978, but before that it sat outside for quite a while. Everything is rusty, but solid.

The brakes are frozen. My first step in waking this car up from its long slumber will be to replace all the brakes except for the hard lines. Could someone please recommend a good source for all my brake needs?

Secondly, the car has sat for so long that the rear half-shafts are frozen in place. Any suggestions?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 66 Resto: Brakes

Congratulations!

My personal preference would be to send the brakes to either Vette Brakes in Florida, or Stainless Steel Brake Co in New York. As (65 and) '66 brake calipers are slightly different from '67 and later, and if they might be original, you may consider having them rebuild yours and returning them, also painting them in flat black as original. Vette Brakes also offers O-ring seals, which are nice for seldom-driven cars.

For the half shafts, does it appear like the rear bearings might be rusted? If so, you will likely be best off sending the whole trailing arm as an assembly to Van Steel in Florida, or Bair's in PA. They will restore the entire arm and do a great job on the bearings.

Also, you may consider having someone from the local NCRS chapter look at the car, as you may want a full assessment of the car's "+" and "-" before you start restoring ($). You'd hate to spend $40,000 on a $30,000 car, and it is VERY easy to do...

Good luck,

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 66 Resto: Brakes

Congratulations!

My personal preference would be to send the brakes to either Vette Brakes in Florida, or Stainless Steel Brake Co in New York. As (65 and) '66 brake calipers are slightly different from '67 and later, and if they might be original, you may consider having them rebuild yours and returning them, also painting them in flat black as original. Vette Brakes also offers O-ring seals, which are nice for seldom-driven cars.

For the half shafts, does it appear like the rear bearings might be rusted? If so, you will likely be best off sending the whole trailing arm as an assembly to Van Steel in Florida, or Bair's in PA. They will restore the entire arm and do a great job on the bearings.

Also, you may consider having someone from the local NCRS chapter look at the car, as you may want a full assessment of the car's "+" and "-" before you start restoring ($). You'd hate to spend $40,000 on a $30,000 car, and it is VERY easy to do...

Good luck,

Patrick

[Peter J.]

Re: 66 Resto: Brakes

You are about to have some fun! I bought a 66 about five years ago that had been in a garage for several years, It had no brakes and in the three inches of receipts were several receipts for caliper replacements from the local Chevy dealer due to brake failure. Not being an NCRS member yet I looked in all the books and magazines and settled on DR Vette. Jill the owner I think was quite helpful in explaining what was available and what the pitfalls to corvette brakes were. I have been driving this car for about four years and ten thousand miles with no brake problems I bought four calipers had my master cylinder sleaved and have no complaints Good Luck

[Peter J.]

Re: 66 Resto: Brakes

You are about to have some fun! I bought a 66 about five years ago that had been in a garage for several years, It had no brakes and in the three inches of receipts were several receipts for caliper replacements from the local Chevy dealer due to brake failure. Not being an NCRS member yet I looked in all the books and magazines and settled on DR Vette. Jill the owner I think was quite helpful in explaining what was available and what the pitfalls to corvette brakes were. I have been driving this car for about four years and ten thousand miles with no brake problems I bought four calipers had my master cylinder sleaved and have no complaints Good Luck

[Top_Notch]

Re: 66 Resto: Brakes

The brakes are non-original as the car lived a 'rodded' life through the 60's and 70's. Hence the non-original (but upgraded HP) engine.

The trailing arm has surface rust but I havn't been into it yet. I plan to join my local NCRS chapter as soon as I get my house in order. Every time I look at my car (which needs paint, top, brakes, etc...) I get the feeling I should have joined before I bought. Oh well. I only have 9 G's into it, and the car only has 40,000 miles (albeit a rough 40,000). The previous owner drove it home in 1978 and left it sit. He said he had to 'pop the clutch' a few times to break everything free and drive it home. For some reason, I don't think I'll be as lucky.

Thanks for the info.

[Top_Notch]

Re: 66 Resto: Brakes

The brakes are non-original as the car lived a 'rodded' life through the 60's and 70's. Hence the non-original (but upgraded HP) engine.

The trailing arm has surface rust but I havn't been into it yet. I plan to join my local NCRS chapter as soon as I get my house in order. Every time I look at my car (which needs paint, top, brakes, etc...) I get the feeling I should have joined before I bought. Oh well. I only have 9 G's into it, and the car only has 40,000 miles (albeit a rough 40,000). The previous owner drove it home in 1978 and left it sit. He said he had to 'pop the clutch' a few times to break everything free and drive it home. For some reason, I don't think I'll be as lucky.

Thanks for the info.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 66 Resto: "Brakes" the Bank

Top,

Where do you live?

Do I correctly recall you mentioning (even showing a picture of) this car on the web elsewhere?

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 66 Resto: "Brakes" the Bank

Top,

Where do you live?

Do I correctly recall you mentioning (even showing a picture of) this car on the web elsewhere?

Patrick

[Top_Notch]

Re: 66 Resto: "Brakes" the Bank

Yes,

I have a posted pictures of my newly acquired car literally 'boxed' in with boxes and junk. I've moved into the house and started uncovering the car. So far, all that remains is to uncover everything from the windshield forward. (And join the NCRS.)

The car is already propped up, tires off, waiting to be fixed.

I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago. Schaumburg to be exact.

[Top_Notch]

Re: 66 Resto: "Brakes" the Bank

Yes,

I have a posted pictures of my newly acquired car literally 'boxed' in with boxes and junk. I've moved into the house and started uncovering the car. So far, all that remains is to uncover everything from the windshield forward. (And join the NCRS.)

The car is already propped up, tires off, waiting to be fixed.

I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago. Schaumburg to be exact.