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Richard----
In my opinion, the absolute best performing, long-lived, and squeek-free brake pads that were ever used on a 65-82 Corvette were the original Delco pads. These pads were made under 3 different part numbers from 1965 until 1991, but all were about equally outstanding. I favor the first 2 iterations, though, and I bought up every set in creation for my "private stock". These pads were all organic and of asbestos material and were discontinued. It has been illegal to sell them for the past several years.
Anyway, GM/Delco now has a non-asbestos replacement for 65-82 Corvettes. It is available under GM part number 18024741. I've never used them but, when my supply of the originals is exhausted in about 200 years, those are the first ones that I plan to turn to.
In addition, I do not recommend the use of any "semi-metallic" or "metallic" pads. These pads exacerbate "squeeking" and significantly increase rotor wear. Disc brake pads on a 65-82 are very easy to change, as you surmised. Simply remove the pad retaining pin cotter key, pull out the retaining pin and pull out the pads. Compress the pistons with an inexpensive tool available for the purpose or with a wide putty knife, insert the new pads, replace the pin and cotter key and you're done. Make sure that no one depresses the brake pedal, though, when the pads are removed.
Finally, I offer this for your consideration: I've owned my 69 since new and it currently has 200,000 miles on the odometer. I've ALWAYS used the Delco pads, albeit the original pad compounds, and I've NEVER had any significant problem with friction pad squeek. I've NEVER had any significant problem with excessive brake dust(a little is impossible to avoid). I've NEVER had any complaints about braking performance(and my car is a manual brake car). Oh, and by the way, my car still has its original brake rotors at all four corners, which have NEVER been surfaced("turned"). They're in PERFECT condition and ALL measure 1.250" thick. Same as NEW. Now, what else could I ask for? I understand that GM tested more than 1,000 pad compounds before settling on a production formula. It was a lot of work, but they got it right!
In my opinion, the absolute best performing, long-lived, and squeek-free brake pads that were ever used on a 65-82 Corvette were the original Delco pads. These pads were made under 3 different part numbers from 1965 until 1991, but all were about equally outstanding. I favor the first 2 iterations, though, and I bought up every set in creation for my "private stock". These pads were all organic and of asbestos material and were discontinued. It has been illegal to sell them for the past several years.
Anyway, GM/Delco now has a non-asbestos replacement for 65-82 Corvettes. It is available under GM part number 18024741. I've never used them but, when my supply of the originals is exhausted in about 200 years, those are the first ones that I plan to turn to.
In addition, I do not recommend the use of any "semi-metallic" or "metallic" pads. These pads exacerbate "squeeking" and significantly increase rotor wear. Disc brake pads on a 65-82 are very easy to change, as you surmised. Simply remove the pad retaining pin cotter key, pull out the retaining pin and pull out the pads. Compress the pistons with an inexpensive tool available for the purpose or with a wide putty knife, insert the new pads, replace the pin and cotter key and you're done. Make sure that no one depresses the brake pedal, though, when the pads are removed.
Finally, I offer this for your consideration: I've owned my 69 since new and it currently has 200,000 miles on the odometer. I've ALWAYS used the Delco pads, albeit the original pad compounds, and I've NEVER had any significant problem with friction pad squeek. I've NEVER had any significant problem with excessive brake dust(a little is impossible to avoid). I've NEVER had any complaints about braking performance(and my car is a manual brake car). Oh, and by the way, my car still has its original brake rotors at all four corners, which have NEVER been surfaced("turned"). They're in PERFECT condition and ALL measure 1.250" thick. Same as NEW. Now, what else could I ask for? I understand that GM tested more than 1,000 pad compounds before settling on a production formula. It was a lot of work, but they got it right!
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