Caliper sleeving or conversion.

[63stick]

I'm now starting the front brake overhaul and deciding whether to re sleeve my calipers which are in good condition with stainless while there out. or convert to a Taylor system. I'm not planning on using it a lot. I would rather keep it stock as much as possible.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also Any recommendations for someone that sleeves the old Bendix. 

One more thing, All the Superchargers I see are that lovely Studebaker orange. Mine is black from the factory, like the McCulloch on my Golden hawk. Did the color get changed early on. Mine is 1086.

[Avanti1963!]

There is no definitive answer on the original supercharger colors.  Some believe that very early Avantis had black then they switched to orange for the duration.  Rebuilt superchargers were definitely black.

[64StudebakerAvanti]

If your caliper pistons are in good condition, why sleeve? It would make more sense just to rebuild by replacing the seals etc.

Otherwise, the Cobalt replacement cylinders seem to be a good option.

https://mossmotors.com/8777-2-cp-cobalt-brake-cylinder-axle-set?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzaqmz_-s_wIVgZqGCh2kYwuqEAQYFSABEgJSg_D_BwE#829=2405?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=shopping

 

Sumitomo cylinders are over $250 each on parts geek.

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1963/jaguar/xke/brake/caliper_piston.html?brand=genuine

 

The Turner brake conversion is another possibility allowing for relatively less expensive parts. Not sure what the Turner package consists of now, but when I purchased 20 years ago, Turners used Mustang rotors and GM calipers.

Sleeving has gotten more expensive. Apple hydraulics now wants $135/cylinders for sleeve and $165 for rebuild.

 

https://www.applehydraulicsonline.com/collections/dunlop/products/copy-of-jaguar-dunlop-caliper-cylinder-sleeved-and-rebuilt-1

 

[64StudebakerAvanti]

Bob Ziff at Avanti parts and Restorations is showing new replacement pistons for $155 each.

https://avantiparts.biz/cylinder-assembly-front-disk-brake/

 

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I, too, would vote for the Cobalt wheel cylinders if keeping the original Bendix/Dunlop disc brakes.  They are a better, more modern design than the originals.

I, personally, have converted my Studebakers to modern disc brakes, either Turner or Hot Rod & Brakes (have used both).  The HR&B disc kit has gotten good reviews & costs $150 or so less than Turner's kit.  Jim Turner now uses Chrysler minivan calipers in order to avoid the clearance issues the previous GM calipers sometimes had.

One note on rotors: I have just had to replace the rear rotors on my Olds Aurora due to rust (flunked Va inspection after only 1000 miles, 2 years).  I'll never again buy non coated rotors.  The coated ones cost more (20% ?), but I want to do my brake jobs only once.  One can also paint rotors and I have done that.

So, the good news on supercharger colors is that you can paint yours either orange or black, whichever you prefer.  I made a major mistake in having mine painted black. 

--Dwight

[mfg]

16 hours ago, 63stick said:

 

All the Superchargers I see are that lovely Studebaker orange. Mine is black from the factory, like the McCulloch on my Golden hawk. Did the color get changed early on. Mine is 1086.

Orange definitely ‘shows’ better under the hood… but for my money black is definitely correct, at least for an early Studebaker Avanti like yours!

[mfg]

3 minutes ago, Dwight FitzSimons said:

 

So, the good news on supercharger colors is that you can paint yours either orange or black, whichever you prefer.  I made a major mistake in having mine painted black. 

--Dwight

Hardly a “major mistake” Dwight!

The supercharger on my fairly early ‘63 is painted Orange… and it looks nice…. however, if I was an authenticity nut it would be painted black!