Topic: Original brake calipers - 1968 to 1970

[Anghelrestorations]

Not sure if anyone has studied or looked at this before, but figured I would throw this out here.  The original brake calipers that were used from 1968 to 1970 were a C8OZ-2B120-A (RH), and a C8OZ-2B121-A (LH).  I always thought it was unusual that Ford would only have one vendor and one design of this caliper as everything I have seen has been a KH (Kelsey-Hayes) design.  I dont think there is a Bendix front caliper unless I missed it. 
I realize now that there is actually two different design original front brake calipers if you look closer - both are cast with the FoMoCo symbol and both stamped with what I think is a Kelsey Hayes date code.  These two are both from original Jan/Feb 69 Shelbys and match their build dates so assume they are original to the cars.  Curious if anyone has seen anything other than these designs during these years.  The caliper pictured on the left that I call the tear drop design dated 020KH9 is by far the most common I have seen. 

20240505_185039 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr

20240505_185140 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr

20240505_185122 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr

[Bob Gaines]

FYI at least on the 69/70 Shelby the front of the caliper received a quick brush of semigloss /flat paint across the street side. This was to conceal flash surface rust from showing through the spokes of the Shelby wheel. I have not seen evidence of that being done on magnums given they do not show the calipers in the same way.

[AJ]

I believe these to be originals from my late Feb GT500.  No revelation but perhaps date correlation useful in some way. 

Adrian

[Anghelrestorations]

Thanks Bob...yes good point.  My thought was to add that paint detail once the calipers were mounted on the car. 

Adrian - do you see a FoMoCo stamping on those calipers as well? 

[AJ]

I?m pretty confident these hard to read marks are FoMoCo

[AJ]

I noticed a couple additional markings.  Both appear to have W2 cast just below the bleeders.   And one caliper has a large number 3 stamped on it in the same general area.

[RoyceP]

Not sure if anyone has studied or looked at this before, but figured I would throw this out here.  The original brake calipers that were used from 1968 to 1970 were a C8OZ-2B120-A (RH), and a C8OZ-2B121-A (LH).  I always thought it was unusual that Ford would only have one vendor and one design of this caliper as everything I have seen has been a KH (Kelsey-Hayes) design.  I dont think there is a Bendix front caliper unless I missed it. 
I realize now that there is actually two different design original front brake calipers if you look closer - both are cast with the FoMoCo symbol and both stamped with what I think is a Kelsey Hayes date code.  These two are both from original Jan/Feb 69 Shelbys and match their build dates so assume they are original to the cars.  Curious if anyone has seen anything other than these designs during these years.  The caliper pictured on the left that I call the tear drop design dated 020KH9 is by far the most common I have seen. 

20240505_185039 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr0240505_185140 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr20240505_185122 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr

I've only seen the one on the left. The one on the right is new to me.

[CharlesTurner]

The low mileage (20k) '68 GT350 I've been working on had zinc plated front calipers, date coded correct for the car.  Assumed they were original.

[Bob Gaines]

I've only seen the one on the left. The one on the right is new to me.

Same for me.

[Anghelrestorations]

Thats what I have heard is that some of the early 68 cars may have had that finish on them or cad plating or some kind of silver finish on these calipers.  Dont think I ever seen that on a 69 or 70. 

[AJ]

After further cleaning, the calipers from my 02/26/69 GT500 appear to be zinc plated with some remnant black paint on wheel facing side.   Has zinc been seen much on 69 calipers before. 

[Bob Gaines]

It seems counter intuitive that there would be a need for the black out paint if the calipers were already protected from flash rust by the plating? That is unless some were and others weren't and they blacked them out regardless. 

[Anghelrestorations]

Interesting.  So from your build date and the Julian date code on the calipers I am seeing those were assembled just 12 days before the car was built.  And does look like at least from this example we have zinc plated (or cad plated) into 1969 production from this example. 

[AJ]

Another seeming anamoly for a 69 model are the fine thread bolts and nuts on the tie rod sleeve clamps.  It was my understanding zinc calipers and fine thread hardware on adjusting sleeves were not ofter or ever observed carry overs from 68 to 69. 

Might these generally result in point deductions on a 69 model if unable to verify they were original.

[Bob Gaines]

Another seeming anamoly for a 69 model are the fine thread bolts and nuts on the tie rod sleeve clamps.  It was my understanding zinc calipers and fine thread hardware on adjusting sleeves were not ofter or ever observed carry overs from 68 to 69. 

Might these generally result in point deductions on a 69 model if unable to verify they were original.

Two different things need two different answers. If you choose to use the plated calipers which is out of the ordinary first off save pictures like you have posted her and keep in a album to keep with the car to help judging team understand why you did what you did. If you do choose to go that way you will need to renew the finish on the calipers to appear as new and not a diminished finish as they appear now.  Don't forget to black out the wheel side. Of course you can also use bare cast iron finish caliper like is typical. As far as the sleeves and hardware are concerned , the sleeves need to be gone over to remove plier marks or just replace with better condition . As far as the hardware I would replace with the typical as it will be a hard case to make that those fine thread and acorn nuts are original for your 69 car IMO .But that is just me. Of course it is your car and consequently it is your choices to make.