Metalic Brakes

[Bruce B.]

I just started a long overdue brake overhaul on my '63 Coupe. I am embarassed to say that I have never had the drums off on this 40,000 mile car. I guess I always relied on the inspections to flag any problems. To my surprise, I found original metalic brakes (not HD) that were in very good shape on it. The shoes are not quite good enough to keep them on and the cylinders were leaking but very rebuildable. I was surprised because this is a saddle tan car with leather and all the creature comforts (automatic, 300hp, power steering and brakes, AM/FM). Not exactly a performance person's car.

My question is about the availability of metalic shoes and rebuild kits (I understand the springs were heat resistant). They don't exactly jump off the page with the regular suppliers. Even if I can find shoes, can I find springs?
Even though I am an originality freak, I'm not sure why I would want to put the metalics back on anyway. The car is a (former) Top Flight driver and, at this point, I am more concerned about comfort and safety. I'm not sure if there are any performance benefits, beyond originality, to suggest that I put metalics back on - even if they are available. If I put on regular shoes, are they dimensionally going to fit? These front shoes are a lot wider that I am used to but most of my mechanical experiance is pre '63. Even if I put on regular shoes, as Sam Foltz taught us, I won't be throwing away these nearly reusable originals. Thanks for any help.

[Duke W.]

Re: Metalic Brakes

To the best of my knowledge there are no longer metallic shoes, drums, or springs available from GM. I have heard there are some aftermarket linings that are supposed to be equal or better, but I don't have any real information on them.

The metallic brakes are very long lived, but when the shoes are worn out, so are the drums. One thing I might suggest is to just reuse the existing linings, drums, and springs as I bet they have a lot of life left in them.
Just clean 'em up a little and mark them so everything goes back on the corner it came off.

NCRS does not judge metallic linings because there is no visual evidence without pulling a drum. At this point they are basically and esoteric curiosity, so I would recommend you keep them.

At far as the wheel cylinders are concerned, I would suggest you buy new ones. They are cheap and you want to be sure the hyraulics are in tip top shape. Of course, no one will ever know they were made in China. If you start doing periodic fluid flushes, the hydraulic system should last almost indefinitely.

If you still have the original master cylinder it can be properly restored by sleeving.

If you decide to replace the drums, linings, and springs, conventional parts available from any of the major brake parts manufacturers should be up to the task for normal driving. The J-65s used to haul my SWC down from up to 130/140 to corner entry speeds during race track hot lap sessions and never failed to perform, but they did get grabby when really hot and required a lot of pedal force when they were stone cold.

Duke

[John C.]

Re: Metalic Brakes

Long Island Corvette supplies replacement shoes.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Metalic Brakes

lots of pressure when cold is a under statement,mrs could not stop our early corvettes with metalic lining when she go to the end of our street and the local cop gave her a ticked for running a stop sign one time. needless to say the next corvette did not have metalic brakes!!!