Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

[Raymond R.]

Preparing for brake work on a 1963 Corvette, coupe. Will be purchasing front and rear brake drums, rear brake shoes, full hardware package and wheel cylinders. I am not looking for the cheapest, but best quality parts. Do I need to look beyond Summit Racing or Zip Corvettes?

Will also be replacing oil pan gasket. Both the FelPro and Mahle gaskets are available from Summit Racing. Any need to look somewhere else?

Appreciate the advice. Thank you.

[Harry S.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

The last Mahle gasket I bought was at Autozone, $38.99 shipped. Was the OS32458.

Try to find NOS shoes and drums. NAPA wheel cylinders are ok.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

Try to find NOS shoes and drums.

Or, have a local shop check and see how close yours are to spec.
I ended up having the drums turned rather than replacing them.

[Duke W.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

Does your car have base brakes or J-65? Are the drums OE? If so, what are the casting numbers? Do they have a max ID stamped or embedded in the casting and what is the current ID. If they are not beyond the wear limit, even with turning, why not reuse them?

You need to provide more information to get the best advice on what to do and do some significant homework if you want the best quality,

Depending on what you need buying locally from your favorite parts store is likely less expensive than a mail order outfit. Base and J-65 brakes are not Corvette unique parts. They are the same as used on full size pass. cars, so no need to buy from a Corvette specialist parts outfit.

Most important is where these parts are manufactured. That's what you should concentrate on. Likely they all come from offshore and likely whoever you buy from is the same offshore part no matter what the "brand" is on the box.

This is why your first choice should be rebuilding your existing parts if they are not beyond wear limits, and that includes the shoes that can be relined, and if the springs are not severely corroded or stretched, they may be better than whatever replacements are available today.

Duke

[Terry M.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

Ray,
In my experience, original parts are usually much better than replacement parts. That especially applies to brake drums and rotors IMHO. If your drums can be turned and still remain within useable spec, I recommend you go that route. If you can find NOS parts, that would be best. You should check an exchange guide to see if other Chevy models used the exact same drum which might help expand your search. Another option would be used originals that can be turned. When turning the drums, I instruct the vendor to only remove enough to clean up the entire surface.

[Gerald C.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

Ray,

I just PM's you.

Jerry

[James W.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

I have a new in the box set of GM Delco Moraine base model front brake shoes that I would love to find a good home for.

James

[Raymond R.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

Just sent you a PM. Let me know. Thanks for your help.

[Bill M.]

Re: Purchasing brake parts for 63 Corvette

I buy a lot of my maintenance parts from my local mom and pop auto parts store. Hopewell Auto. Just got front hoses brake pads and wheel bearings.