Thread: Updating my Corvette

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Sounds like you and Richard have some real fun planned out. I'm glad he's at your place. I always enjoy having help if nothing else for the conversation and an excuse for a coffee break.

Glenn

After a lot of hassle the rear calipers are in. I'm not impressed with the hardware in the package. The rear brake lines that were in the package are nice braided units, but both ends are female when they should have been male. I had a pair of new hard rear brake lines so we adapted them to fit. These Wilwood calipers hook up the brake line in the center while the old calipers hook up at the end. Not very good pictures but I hope you get the idea.IMG_7016.jpgIMG_7017.jpgIMG_7019.jpg

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The right front in fact was leaking as can been seen by the streaks on the tire and the small puddle on the floor. The right front caliper is the fourth one, counting the one on the car when I bought it, and all three of the O'Reilly rebuilts have leaked.
Tomorrow I will find some hardware to install the Wilwoods. The Wilwoods attach the brake line in the middle of the caliper so I need an elbow to keep the line out of the coil spring. Should be an adventure.

My granddaughter and i went part hunting to day and we found the part at an industrial supply house.IMG_7024.jpgIMG_7026.jpgIMG_7027.jpg The fitting, the hose attached to the fitting and the assembly as it will be mounted to the caliper.

It's always a nice feeling when you find just that right part to make the job look nice, but man, it sure is a time eater. At least you got to spend quality time with your granddaughter.

She's been down in the dumps and she is hobbling around with a soft cast on her left ankle since the girl wrecked her car.
My Dakota is an automatic so I let her drive and afterwards we spent some time in the garage. I explained to her how the brakes work and a few other things. She said she'd like to drive the Vette and after she's healed I'll probably let her.
We ended up back in the house and watched some of the replay of the Norwalk Nationals from Sunday and she says she would like to try her hand at the controls of a Top Fueler. I said, why not, go for it. She's pretty bright young lady with a good head on her shoulders and a good attitude.

Got the fronts on tonightIMG_7029.jpgIMG_7030.jpg

The Wilwoods look good. I'll bet they are a bunch lighter than the stockers, too.

Probably the only way to keep the old ones from leaking would be to have the bores fitted with sleeves. I know there used to be companies that specialized in sleeving antique MC's and other brake parts. The Wilwoods were probably cheaper than getting that work done, though.

Many years ago when my Dad and I had a machine shop, I fitted some oversize pistons to a Corvette caliper. I don't know where the guy got the bigger pistons, but I know the calipers where tough to setup for the boring job. I didn't make nearly enough on that job!

They are considerably lighter, but what I really like is there is not a dedicated caliper for each wheel, just front and rear. Had a bit of a problem with the hard lines and I'll replace them later.

Got the fronts mounted and bled but something at the right rear is rubbing. I'm suspecting the parking brake assembly though I won't rule out anything. The rear has half shafts with two u-joints and I wouldn't be surprised if one of the u-joints is bad. Hopefully I can get it jacked up today and with the rear wheels off have a look.

Dang it. There's always something! LOLOL

After consulting the local guru, techinspector1, it was determined the noise is the new pads adjusting to the new rotors. I'll drive it awhile, locally, to make sure.
Next on the agenda is either the headers and sidepipes or the headlight conversion to electric. The headlight conversion is mostly plug and play and will eliminate quite a bit of the vacuum mess associated with C3 Corvettes.

Come on Ken, SIDE PIPES FIRST!!! Who needs headlights (lol)...

Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Come on Ken, SIDE PIPES FIRST!!! Who needs headlights (lol)...

Richard agrees with you so I guess we'll go with the headers and side pipes first.

I have a set of nice side pipes sitting in my shed. Probably should have returned them when the project got canceled.