I have a 67 L71 with J56 brakes that have had the top half removed; booster, master cylinder, block etc. Where should I start in my search to put this right, to find the right parts. This is a car that is driven some and judged having just made Top Flight at the Western Regional. One question comes to mind, is it possible that the J56 parts used where also used on other cars. Thanks for your help and leads. Joel
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Joel-----
Many of the components of the 1967 J-56 brake system are the same as those used for J-50 power brakes. This includes the power booster and the distribution block. The same distribution block was actually used for ALL 67-68 Corvettes.
The 1967 J-56 master cylinder was a 1-1/8" bore unit and of GM casting #5480346. While, for 1967, this master cylinder was only used for J-56 applications, the same master cylinder was used for ALL 1968-72 Corvettes with J-50 power brakes. So, these master cylinders are not very difficult to come by.
1967 Corvette J-56 applications also used an adjustable brake proportioning valve in addition to the distribution block. This valve was of GM #3878944 and was of Kelsey-Hayes manufacture. This same valve was used on many 60s Mustangs and there are quite a few "around". They pop up in used condition on eBay all the time and usually sell for about $150-250. I purchased an NOS example [not for sale] on eBay for about $200 a few years ago.
The most difficult part of the "upper" system will be the special bracket that supported the proportioning valve. This "T" shaped, fabricated steel bracket was only used on 66-68 Corvettes with J-56. It is not reproduced and, as you might expect, is very difficult to find.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Joel-----
Many of the components of the 1967 J-56 brake system are the same as those used for J-50 power brakes. This includes the power booster and the distribution block. The same distribution block was actually used for ALL 67-68 Corvettes.
The 1967 J-56 master cylinder was a 1-1/8" bore unit and of GM casting #5480346. While, for 1967, this master cylinder was only used for J-56 applications, the same master cylinder was used for ALL 1968-72 Corvettes with J-50 power brakes. So, these master cylinders are not very difficult to come by.
1967 Corvette J-56 applications also used an adjustable brake proportioning valve in addition to the distribution block. This valve was of GM #3878944 and was of Kelsey-Hayes manufacture. This same valve was used on many 60s Mustangs and there are quite a few "around". They pop up in used condition on eBay all the time and usually sell for about $150-250. I purchased an NOS example [not for sale] on eBay for about $200 a few years ago.
The most difficult part of the "upper" system will be the special bracket that supported the proportioning valve. This "T" shaped, fabricated steel bracket was only used on 66-68 Corvettes with J-56. It is not reproduced and, as you might expect, is very difficult to find.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Joe,
------I know that the 66 bracket is reproduced and available.Are you sure the 67 isnt out there?With that said it is an easy repro for almost any small fab shop.Cant believe it hasnt been done.The specific 66 brake lines(including the short one)are also available,but I dont know about 67s..........Bill SComment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Joe,
------I know that the 66 bracket is reproduced and available.Are you sure the 67 isnt out there?With that said it is an easy repro for almost any small fab shop.Cant believe it hasnt been done.The specific 66 brake lines(including the short one)are also available,but I dont know about 67s..........Bill SComment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Bill------
I wasn't even aware that the 66 J-56 bracket, GM #3878950, was reproduced. In a way, I'm surprised that it is. The 66 bracket is, in part, a die-formed piece. Unless someone located the original tooling it amazes me that anyone would consider it cost-effective to tool up for such a low-production piece.
The 1967 bracket, GM #3910796, which is considerably different than the 1966 bracket (since 1967 utilized a brake distribution block which 66 did not), is a combination of die-formed, fabricated, and welded components. I think that it would be possible to fabricate a FUNCTIONAL replacement, but it would seem that fabricating a correct replacement would be difficult, at best.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Bill------
I wasn't even aware that the 66 J-56 bracket, GM #3878950, was reproduced. In a way, I'm surprised that it is. The 66 bracket is, in part, a die-formed piece. Unless someone located the original tooling it amazes me that anyone would consider it cost-effective to tool up for such a low-production piece.
The 1967 bracket, GM #3910796, which is considerably different than the 1966 bracket (since 1967 utilized a brake distribution block which 66 did not), is a combination of die-formed, fabricated, and welded components. I think that it would be possible to fabricate a FUNCTIONAL replacement, but it would seem that fabricating a correct replacement would be difficult, at best.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Bill, Joe --- Long Island lists both J56 brackets; the '66 @ $ 75 and the '67/'68 @ $ 50. Catalog section # 52, part # 42A, 42B, respectively.Comment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Bill, Joe --- Long Island lists both J56 brackets; the '66 @ $ 75 and the '67/'68 @ $ 50. Catalog section # 52, part # 42A, 42B, respectively.Comment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Joe,
------Ive had more than one J-56 brake equipped 66 and Im not sure you are describing the bracket correctly.The bracket that holds the proportioning valve is the one I thought we were referring to and it is simply a flat bracket with one 90% bend in it,with the appropriate holes and a small triangulated strengthening peice welded in the 90% part.
------Maybe you were thinking of the caliper strengthening brackets(for want of a better term).Those by the way are,or at least were,remade and sold by Muskegon Brake.I bought one set of them and had some slight alignment problems.Needed a small amount of shimming if I recall,but totally authentic other than that.Hope this helps!.............Bill SComment
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Re: J56 Brakes for 67, in Search of!
Joe,
------Ive had more than one J-56 brake equipped 66 and Im not sure you are describing the bracket correctly.The bracket that holds the proportioning valve is the one I thought we were referring to and it is simply a flat bracket with one 90% bend in it,with the appropriate holes and a small triangulated strengthening peice welded in the 90% part.
------Maybe you were thinking of the caliper strengthening brackets(for want of a better term).Those by the way are,or at least were,remade and sold by Muskegon Brake.I bought one set of them and had some slight alignment problems.Needed a small amount of shimming if I recall,but totally authentic other than that.Hope this helps!.............Bill SComment
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