Brian;
You really didn't have to modify those
O-rings to make them work. Every plumbing supply house caries a similar rubber
part known as a D-ring. A "D" ring is made with a profile, straight from the
factory, with one side cut flat just as you described. I found out about D-rings
after a shower valve decided not to work. We tried O-rings but all that they did
was blow out of the groove when we pulled the knob out and we
couldn't understand why. Finally we went to a plumbing supply house with one of
the worn out rings and they went in the back and got us a similar pair, only
new, and told us that they were called D-rings. We went home, put them in the
shower valve, and it has been working ever since. Maybe this will solve your
leak problem.
Best Regards
Arran Foster
1954 Imperial Newport
Needing A Left Side Taillight Bezel and other trim
parts.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 7:10 PM
Subject: Re: IML: Help with converting
from Budd calipers?
I would have to agree with this one. When I got my 67,
it had been sitting outside for about 6 years and had leaky calipers when it
was put there. I tore them apart, cleaned them up and used modified(cut flat
on one side) O-rings from the hardware store in place of the seals. I
flushed the system and reinstalled thinking this would be a very temporary
fix. Its been like that for some 5 years and probably 20,000 miles now
with nothing more than a minor seeping from one side that was there when I
first did it(my calipers were pitted and I didn't even hone them). I only have
to add fluid to the system about twice per year, if that.
In my opinion, these are great brakes that are just hard
to get parts for.
Brian
My two cents on the factory brake thing. Quite a few years ago, 12 or
so I bought a 67 Town and Country wagon. I still have it. It has the four
piston disk brakes. As I have done on All my Imperials that have the disks
and most of the wheel cylinders, if you take them apart, 99% of the time I
was able to reuse the undamaged old seals, but just needed to hone out the
caliper or wheel cylinders and get all the old rust and crap out of the old
parts! With new brake fluid and the same disassembly of the master cylinder
I have had most of these cars, including the wagon give me no new brake
trouble! MY Advise, go ahead and take one apart if it is already leaking and
see if you can clean out the bore, a hone from any auto parts store and your
drill can usually clean it right up! I really have no complaints on any of
my factory brakes and I really love the 4-piston disks on the 67's -69's I
have! Yes including the 440 cid, Limited slip (that still works), Factory
duel exhaust, duel snorkel air cleaner, very fast, and quick stopping
WAGON! Now if I can just fix all those rear axle seal leaks I am now
getting all at once...... HMMMM.... I love these old cars.......
65 Imperial and a whole herd of others here on Imperial ranch,
Colorado!
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