is this really a 3X8 tech forum?

I assume less people know about the older Ferraris ...

Have you tried www.tomyang.net?

Pete

 

You're better off keeping it here. More people will see it.

 

tomyang.net is really the better vintage tech forum. The 3x8s are at the age/price point where a lot of DIYers are getting their hands on them. The vintage stuff seems to be handled mainly by pro mechanics for some reason.

 

You could try posting in the Vintage Section and not the -general tech section

 

But I really cannot see why a brake caliper rebuild requires any special 'vintage expert' attention. Note I am assuming that 330's have disc brakes (?) ... thus simple stuff.

Yale,

1. Have you tried to buy a seal kit?
2. Have you tried to work out who actually made the calipers and what cars use them? ... could save yourself a fortune. Infact even if you do not rebuild them yourself, when you drop them off at a shop, tell them the other car brand and the price WILL be cheaper.

If you can get a seal kit and the bores are not pitted then you probably can rebuild them yourself. Infact is there a thread on how to rebuild 3X8 calipers?, as the concept/process will be close to identical.

Why do calipers stick?

Simply because they sit in the same place for too long (especially on a hardly used car), thus the bores can get rusty and or gummed up. If you put new pads in then you can cause problems (if the calipers have this problem) because then the pistons are pushed back into the gummed up area and stick.

What do they need?

Simply pull them apart, clean them thoroughly, check bore and pistons for pitting or any other surface damage ... if okay, give a very, very light hone (bore) and polish (pistons with very, very fine sand paper).

Also check the bleeders seat fine and if can replace bleeder nipples.

Thoroughly clean again, ensuring NO water is left in the caliper anywhere and install new seals, lubricate the pistons (with the right stuff so as not to damage the new seals ... I think from memory brake seal kits come with red grease for this purpose) and put back together.

Bolt back on car with nicely re-zinc plated bolts ... AND while there, repack wheel bearings and paint stub axle, etc. ...

Bleed and off for a drive.


Ofcourse it could be the boosters, but what usually happens with faulty boosters is that the brakes seize ON and car comes to a stop (happened to my Alfa GTV). I would recommend a professional do the boosters, though.

Pete
ps: We have to remember that while these Ferraris were right up there with technology in their day, they are bloody simple basic things now ... so maintenance should be seen as straight forward for most now, ie. an Alfa Romeo 105 series GTV, probably FIATs, most family cars of the 70's have the same sort of stuff ... and brakes rebuilt perfectly by any old Joe Bloggs. Just have to buy the right seal kits.

Heck I'd rather rebuild the brakes on a 330 or 250 GTO (even) than a F430.