1973 CUDA Front Brakes

[redo1973]

I have power brakes and am in the process of a rebuild for a driver.  I'm replacing most of the suspension parts with new and restoring those that make sense.  I was planning on keeping the stock brakes (Disc/Drum) based on my planned usage.  The calipers have been removed and the spindles with dust shields restored.  How can I determine if the calipers are in working condition? Is it worth cleaning up and restoring the factory calipers? If I replace I probably should I jump into aftermarkets?

[burdar]

As long as the pistons don't have a lot of pitting, you can buy a seal kit to rebuild them.  Reman calipers are only $30 each at Advance Auto so it might be worth it to just buy those.  Just make sure there isn't any pitting where the brass washer seals against the caliper.  If there is, you'll have a leak.  Either return that caliper and get another one, or sand the pitting out of the caliper body so the washer has something flat to seal against.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web/PartSearchCmd?actionSrc=Form&pageId=partTypeList&searchTerm=caliper&zoneAssigned=1&catalogId=10051&vehicleIdSearch=15938&top_category=&langId=-1&searchedFrom=header&storeId=10151

[brads70]

For a driver I'd just keep the stock calipers. An easy/cheap upgrade can be found here using stock parts.
http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html
If you have slider calipers DrDiff has reproduced the larger caliper brackets to be able to go with the bigger rotor.
http://www.doctordiff.com/10-95-disc-brake-slider-caliper-brackets.html

[redo1973]

Thanks. I'm thinking that the reman option is the most efficient solution especially given the price.  These are OEM parts but is it really worth the sandblast, clean, paint and repair?

[burdar]

I bought the remans for my car but kept the original calipers.  I had to pay the core charge but at least I still have the original parts.  If you decide to clean up your existing cores, I'd recommend buying some EvapoRust.  Soak the calipers in that instead of sand blasting them.

[redo1973]

Excellent.  I was thinking the same way.  I have most other parts to this numbers matching car but my rebuild is not going to be the original stock 318 car.

[anlauto]

I bought the remans for my car but kept the original calipers.  I had to pay the core charge but at least I still have the original parts.  If you decide to clean up your existing cores, I'd recommend buying some EvapoRust.  Soak the calipers in that instead of sand blasting them.

We have a local place (does international shipping) that will rebuild YOUR original cores for about the same price as remanufactured ones if your worried about your part numbers and casting dates...