Rebuilding Kelsey Hayes Calipers

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694spd

694spd

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I have decided to rebuild my calipers instead of turning them in for cores and getting the rebuilts. After going through the battle of getting the pistons out. I been soaking the parts in Evapo-Rust. It seems to clean them up pretty good The condition of the piston varied from pitted to very clean. I'm planning on replacing the pistons with ones from Rock Auto and also buying the seal kit from them.
A question that I have is. What should I paint the bare castings with? Also, it look like the groove the boot goes into is a prone area for rust. I'm thinking that that you would want to get some kind of protective coating into the first groove. Any advice or opinions?
 
Paint them whatever color of your choosing, and any brand paint that you prefer.
I just go down to the local Lowes, and buy a can of Rustoleum, when i was rebuilding them.
 

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I was trying to find out if there is maybe some trick products out there for this purpose. It seems like improved products are always coming out all the time. I have used cast iron paint on other calipers in the past, but it never seem to hold up long.
 
If you use cast iron paint clear coat them or they will rust.cast iron paints are made with ground up cast iron.
.When assembling i coat the pistons and seals with silicone brake grease.
 
Howdy all -

I am in the same stage as 694spd and am just about ready to paint. What sort of prep did you do prior to paint? Once the calipers are clean, just shoot the paint - no primer? I would also assume several light coats of paint as opposed to one heavy.

I'll also remember the tip on reassembly with the silcon brake grease.
 
I hand scrub mine clean with a cleaning solution named Superclean, then i soak them off in a 5 gallon pail of Evaporust, that i buy, to bring them back to bare metal condition.
I then just paint them up.
Nothing special. I just go to it, and get it done.
My 2 cents, on the question.
 
Have been using this product for the past 30 + years, on wheel cylinders, brake calipers, rubber seals.
Why, because i was a professional, wrenching mechanic, earning my living, doing this type or work.
 

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I also use a silicon grease on all rubber parts, and after thoroughly cleaning out those receiver grooves, I put it in there too.The grease I use is the stuff that comes with every RoadRanger transmission overhaul kit.I rebuilt hundreds of those things,back in the late 70s, and still have tubes left over.
I use DOT5 only in the KH system.This system runs a pretty tight piston to bore clearance, and does not tolerate moisture. Mine have been trouble-free for 15plus years.
 
hemi71x said:
Have been using this product for the past 30 + years, on wheel cylinders, brake calipers, rubber seals.
Why, because i was a professional, wrenching mechanic, earning my living, doing this type or work.
Click to expand...

Hemi71X, where do you get this product and where do you get the Evaporust?
 
Thanks Hemi71X - You do very nice work (seen you ads and bought some stuff too), I appreciate your opinions here.

AJ, I have been on a fence with the DOT 3 v DOT 5. I'll keep your comment in mind as well.

PS: I buy EvapoRust at Harbor Freight - always using a 20% off coupon!
 
hemi71x said:
Paint them whatever color of your choosing, and any brand paint that you prefer.
I just go down to the local Lowes, and buy a can of Rustoleum, when i was rebuilding them.
Click to expand...

I sure would appreciate your telling where I ca buy new crossover tubes
 
you can just make or bend your own.
..A pre made brake line about 9 or 10" long will do for the a body kelsey hayes piece
 
I got pre bent Caliper lines from Right Stuff but went to install them last night and one end of the feed lines has the wrong fitting and won't tighten up in the caliper.
 
I bought mine from Year One:

QRA20 Stainless-steel 4-piece wheel cylinder lines fit 1967-1972 A-body front disc brake caliper lines.

Total after everything was $47.77
 
694spd said:
I have decided to rebuild my calipers instead of turning them in for cores and getting the rebuilts. After going through the battle of getting the pistons out. I been soaking the parts in Evapo-Rust. It seems to clean them up pretty good The condition of the piston varied from pitted to very clean. I'm planning on replacing the pistons with ones from Rock Auto and also buying the seal kit from them.
A question that I have is. What should I paint the bare castings with? Also, it look like the groove the boot goes into is a prone area for rust. I'm thinking that that you would want to get some kind of protective coating into the first groove. Any advice or opinions?
Click to expand...
Where you able to find the brake lines for the calipers? I'm in the same boat except I can't find the cross-over lines or small lines.
 
Geo4K said:
I bought mine from Year One:

QRA20 Stainless-steel 4-piece wheel cylinder lines fit 1967-1972 A-body front disc brake caliper lines.

Total after everything was $47.77
Click to expand...
Did the kit include the X-over line and the steel lines that come off the braket?
 
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