C2 brake leaking

[Kevin Brooks]

I recently discovered that I have a brake fluid leak on my '66 327cid, front left wheel. The leak appears to ooze out around the outside pad when I apply brake pressure. Since I'm going to need a rebuild or repair how do I identify the caliper as either OEM or correct replacement, and can I get rebuild parts at an aftermarket supplier?

Thanks in advance!

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 brake leaking

If one is leaking typically the rest are soon to follow......

I recommend you remove all the calipers and send them off for resleeve/rebuild to one of the vendors in the DRIVELINE. I personally used PRECISION ENGINEERING out of Florida. Did a nice job....

You can request your calipers be rebuilt and returned or do an exchange.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 brake leaking

Kevin------

The calipers may be original to the car if ALL of the caliper halves have a casting number beginning with "546".

IF the caliper halves are ALL "546" and IF they have not been previously sleeved and converted to 2nd design configuration, your best bet will be to have some outfit that will sleeve 1st design calipers rebuild the calipers. You'll need to have the calipers sleeved and new, 1st design pistons installed. These are expensive----about 30 bucks EACH and you need 16 (if you do the whole car as you should). I would not even think about reusing the pistons if they're originals, although you might be able to reuse the insulators. Lonestar Caliper (Texas), Stainless Steel Brakes Corp (New York, and Vette Brakes (Florida) are 3 companies that can do what you may require

If the caliper halves are not originals, the chances are great that they've already been sleeved. Such calipers are usually not accepted as cores. However, if they've already been sleeved there's usually no reason to have them replaced-----all you likely need are new pistons and seals. You can do these yourself or have any one of the rebuilders do it for you.

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 brake leaking

Kevin,

Like Steve said if one is leaking, the others will probably leak before long and need to be replaced. Funny that the first one to go on my 67 was the left front like yours. I think you should rebuild or replace them all at the same time.

If you want to drive your car during the process, why not get one of the kits with all 4 rebuilt or new reproduction calipers with SS cylinders, and with all the brake hoses, bolts, etc. You could DIY or take it to a shop and have them on in a day. If you paint the calipers, they might even get overlooked at judging

Then you could decide if it was worth it to turn your old ones for the core charge. The charge isn't much and the shipping and hassle eats up a portion of it. You could also decide to save them for some rainy day job.

My original calipers are sitting in a box in the garage. Oh, one of these days I'll get to them.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

PS, It actually took me two days working off of floor jacks in my garage. Biggest part of the job was getting the then 35 year old caliper bolts off; finally had to resort to a propane torch. My chiropractor advises me to take it to a shop with a lift, or get a lift, if I ever had to do it again. If you work it off of floor jacks, get it as high as possible in order to get some leverage on the bolts.