To reuse or replace??

[Greg L.]

I could use some good advice with this one.

I just got my original brake backing plates back from the plater today and I am not impressed. The work he did was great but they were so badly pitted that I would have say that they should not be reused even though they are the original ones. So what should I do? ...Use them anyways or go for repro ones keeping in mind that the ultimate goal for this restoration is hopefully Top Flight. Where would the bigest point loss be, with very poor originals or new reproduction ones? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

Greg-----

I can't advise as to judging point considerations. However, keep in mind that pitted disc brake backing plates/shields will not be "repaired" by plating. The pits will show through VERY prominently after plating. It may be possible to restore the original smooth finish with a LOT of work, but I consider it TOTALLY impractical for pieces like these. If it were me, I'd use reproduction shields and not look back for a moment.

[Duke W.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

If the part is deemed to "appear" original, then you get full originality points. The next "test" is condition". If the pits are obvious you might loose a couple of points on condition.

Now, if you use repro parts that are obviously distinguishable from original, then you loose ALL originality and condition points.

You really have to go through the JG in detail for each particular judged part to see what the deal might be and understand if modern GM or aftermarket replacements are obviously visually different than original.

In most cases I think you are better off with a bonafide original part because the condition deduction is usually not much.

Duke

[Greg L.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

Well I tend to agree with both of you guys which makes me want to go the repro route IF I cant find a quality repro that "appears" original. Does anyone know where I could buy a set of properly reproduced backing plates for a 69?

[Joe L.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

Greg-----

The reproduction backing plates sold by Paragon and their dealers like Dr. Rebuild and many others are very good. They even have the Delco-Moraine stamping.

I believe that many, if not all, of the original REAR backing plates used for 1969 and, likely, other years, were manufactured from "pre-punch" galvanized material. It is pretty hard to duplicate this finish and you don't need to. The clear zinc plate as used on the Paragon reproductions is considered "correct".

[Rob A.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

For nice, restorable originals, try J&D Corvette, in Bellflower, CA. Great, clean, rust-free original parts. 1-800-838-8353. Be specific about exactly what you want.

[Chuck S.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

The first ones to reproduce the backing plates was Bair's Corvettes. (He reproduced them because he finally ran out of NOS.) If they are still the same, I believe theirs are accurate...they even had the part number stamped in them.

I have no other vendor experince with backing plates, but the Doctor ususally takes care to provide accurate stuff...or tell you it's a functional replacement.

[Greg L.]

Re: To reuse or replace??

Well thanks for the help guys. I'll contact the vendors that were mentioned to get a feel for the most accurate ones...heck maybe they are all made by the same guy anyways. Thanks again.