C2 BRAKES

[BOB LOVETT]

1966 CALIPERS.....NEED CORRECT CASTING #'S FOR THE REAR CALIPERS. NCRS
JUDGING MANUAL STATES THE RIGHT REAR CASTING #'S SHOULD BE AS FOLLOWS:OUTER=5465905 & INNER=5465902.I ORDERED A SET & THE RIGHT & LEFT CASTING #'S(5473807 OUTER/5473808 INNER) ARE COMING OUT THE SAME! (IN OTHER WORDS,BOTH LEFT & RIGHT REAR CASTING #'S ARE THE SAME).HOW COULD THIS BE???? I AM LOOKING INTO THIS W/VBP..ANYONE HAVE THE CORRECT ANSWER?? BTW:WOULD ALSO LIKE THE CORRECT CALIPER #'S FOR THE 67 & 65??(NOT WELL VERSED IN 65)...DISC'S STANDARD OR OPTIONAL in 65?? THANKS....BOB

[Jim T.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Disc brakes were standard in 1965. Until supplies were depleted, a Corvette could be ordered with drum brakes and you would get a $64.50 credit.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob-----

The 1965 to E 1967 caliper casting numbers are:

front----5465952, 5465954

rear-----5465902, 5465905

1967 to ABOUT 1973

front---5452270, 5452273

rear---5452281, 5452284

ABOUT 1973 to 1982

front---5473795, 5473796

rear---5473807, 5473808

In each of the above cases, you will note that there are only 2 casting numbers for the fronts and 2 casting numbers for the rear. That's because these are CASTING numbers and NOT finished part numbers. More than 1 finished part number caliper half was manufactured from the same casting. So, that's how the situation that seems to befuddle you can be.

The calipers that you received from the supplier are the 73-82 style calipers. These are the most common caliper castings out there since they were used for the greatest number of years and manufactured for all 65+ SERVICE applications since about 1973 or 1974. They are 100% functional for all 65-82.

The 1965-E67 calipers were of a slightly different internal design than the later. These calipers had piston guides cast into the piston bores and were known as 1st design calipers. When these calipers are rebuilt and sleeved, most rebuilders machine out the guides and convert them to the non-guided 2nd design used from L1967 to 1982.

[BOB LOVETT]

Re: C2 BRAKES

JOE,
THANKS FOR THE INPUT....IT'S VERY HELPFUL BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FRONT #'S....FYI: NCRS JUDGING MANUAL FOR 1966 CALIPERS STATES AS FOLLOWS:
FRONT INNERS ARE 5473795 & OUTERS ARE 5473796 BOTH SIDES
NOW FOR THE REAR :
LEFT OUTER 5473807 & LEFT INNER 5473808
RIGHT OUTER 5465905 & RIGHT INNER 5465902
I'M NOT SEEING THE FRONT AS 5465952 & 5465954..........BOB

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob-----

The Judging Guide is incorrect if that's what it says. NO 1965-E1967 Corvette caliper, front, rear, or otherwise, ORIGINALLY had calipers with casting numbers beginning with "547". Not even a single one.

The caliper CASTING numbers are as I previously reported.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob,

Are you using the latest edition of the manual or is your info coming from the older 3rd edition? I know the 3rd edition had it wrong but I wasn't sure if it was corrected in the 4th edition. Joe Lucia is absolutely correct. The numbers he posted are the correct numbers.

[BOB LOVETT]

Re: C2 BRAKES

guys,
thanks for the input................the info is from the 4th edition! I will make the changes in my copy if you are absolutely sure.....btw....where did you extract your info???........I'm hearing that the judging manuals seem to have an increasing # of mistakes.........Bob

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob,

I am absolutely, positively, 100% certain that the info in the manual is incorrect. I'm also very surprised that the latest edition still has this incorrect information. I'm sure others will agree, and Joe Lucia doesn't say he's sure if there's any doubt, the manual is wrong.

The JG should be considered a guide and not the last word. Double check everything you do, especially if it involves making expensive, non reversable changes on your car.

Michael

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob and Michael-----

One of the things that MAY have fooled someone into thinking that these "547" calipers (that served as the "basis" for the JG information) were originally used for 65-E67 is the fact that they may have found the caliper piston guides in them and 1st design, guided pistons with insulators. Ergo, they may have then deduced that "they had to be original". If so, that was a false "deduction". There WERE some 1st design, SERVICE caliper halves manufactured with the "547" series casting number. However, NONE of these were ever originally used in PRODUCTION on any 65-E67---they are SERVICE-only castings produced after about 1973.

If the above occurred, then I can understand why someone might have "reasonably" come to the false conclusion that the "547" caliper halves were used on 65-E67. If the "547" calipers on the car that served as the "source" of the information for the JG did not have 1st design style piston guides, then anyone that felt that they were original to a 65-E67 needs EXTENSIVE TRAINING in the "scientific method".

[BOB LOVETT]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Joe,

Have concluded that the "new O ring " Delco's that I received have the correct #'s for the "New Castings" from Delco which are: frt. outer=5473796 & inner= 5473795
rear outer=5473807 & inner 5473806....NOW, I can get my hands on the 1st design for around $125 ea. rebuilt....or rebuilt w/ the "O" ring setup @ about $95 each.My thoughts are, not being an all original 66, i.e. suspension(VBP Monosprings & Bilstein Shocks)..I'm thinking of sticking with the "New O ring" Delco's that I have received.....what's your thinking??
BTW: I changed the caliper #'s in my JG Manual....Bob

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob-----

The caliper casting numbers are a real nuance of configuration. Unless one is into a 100% correct restoration, they are among the last things that I would be concerned about. Except for casting numbers, the calipers you have are externally configured virtually the same as the originals. So, there's no configuration issue, at all. Functionally, they're 2nd design which equipped most 1967 Corvettes and all 1968 and later Corvettes. So, they're well-proven.

[BOB LOVETT]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Thanks Joe for your response...you seem to know your stuff!.....so I assume you agree......the new "o" ring Delco's are ok to use....now Joe, your opinion....if the car were to be judged, how would these new calipers affect scoring?....Bob

[John H.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

About one point front, one point rear (for configuration); hardly worth worrying about.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Bob------

I think that the o-ring calipers are fine for street use. Many folks have reported very good success with them. They may be especially good for cars which sit unused for long periods of time. The stock-type seals seem to fail under those conditions. Also, the o-ring type are not susceptible to the "air-pumping" phenomenon which represents a big plus.

As John mentioned, the calipers will result in a very small deduction for incorrect casting numbers. The fact that o-ring type pistons and seals are installed is pretty much indiscernable.

[BOB LOVETT]

Re: C2 BRAKES

Guys...........thanks for all of your feed back! we are proceeding with installing the new Delcos & will let you know the results.....remember, I haven't had any GOOD brakes for about a year!.(we think it was the left rear sucking air)....will let you know!......Bob