{FORGED?} Re: More on Disk swap on 72 Gremlin

[AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx]

On January 14, 2005 Randy Guynn wrote:

> Frank,
> 
> And the 1977 Hornet/Gremli and some small 1978s were really bad to get
> parts for. They were also Pin type. The rotors are for that small year
> segment only.
> 
> I had a new 1977 Hornet AMX with that brake set up. They had the plastic
> type pistons in the caliper.Well, I sufferred a locked up caliper which
> ruined the rotor when the car was only 2 years old. The rotor was near
> impossible to locate. The car sat for 6 weeks over locating one.
> 
>  From everything I have seen before, or since in AMC disc set ups. This
> one ''wierdo'' does exist out there. I always advise folks to avoid the
> set up on 77s and most 78s.
> 
> Pacer parts also fit our cars in the brake swap department. I never see
> this mentioned in brake swap chats. We bolted a set of Pacer units on a
> 1970 Machine just perfectly. That was over 10 years ago and car still
> has them in place.
> 
> Parts costs is going up all the time. On rear brakes for an example, you
> can buy a drop on drum brake set up thru Currey for the Fords. That new
> set up is complete, but runs $350.00. Plus shipping, and install, and
> fluid. Well, it does not take much to spend well over $300.00 for most
> any type of brake swap unless every part is used. I am trying to make a
> point here. If new rear/front parts are in that price range for drums,
> then it is not much more to step up to disc on front or rear. As a
> matter of fact on front swaps, one of the best deals going in my opinion
> is to get a junk yard set up, pull the needed pieces off, and spend the
> money then to just buy new rotors along with fresh re-manufactured
> loaded calipers, and then when you put it together you have nearly a new
> set up that will run , opps, brake for a very long time without worry as
> to the condition of the doner parts .
> 
> You can even get your hands on the drilled and/or slotted rotors for our
> AMCs. TRW will do them when they have an order for 10 pairs of
> rotors.Their new loaded calipers run reasonable as well. The new ones
> come gold plated with pads and new crush washers for the hose at around
> $70.00 plus $20.00 core. I think if a guy is just starting out on a
> swap, then the spindle and backing plate may be all he needs and just
> get new from there. Sometimes unless yuou got the core in hand it is
> better to just pay the core fee.
> 
> Brake systems run the whole way from $10,000.00 doller race set ups to
> junk yard dog freebies. The main things are, what is you, or your loved
> ones life worth to you when you are working on brakes on your car. If
> you have little regard for your own welfare that is your business.
> But... When/if you decide to cheap out on brakes, you then endanger
> every other soul you drive with on the roads. This means the entire
> brake system from mastercylinder, to hose, lines, fluid, shoes.pads,
> etc. Sure, fresh parts can fail, but not nearly as likely as ''some old
> parts pulled from a car not on the road in years.''
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Randy Guynn
> 
> 
> .

Total parts cost for the now not new Hornet I bought 15 monthe ago for brake parts was around 500$. I replaced it all. That includes new rotors and drums, wheel bearings/seal's hardware, rebuilt calipers, shoes, pads, brake hoses front and rear including the master. All parts purchased from my local auto parts store. I hear people complain about not being to get parts and I don't have a problem. My wife and now grown children ride in this car and my youngest son drives it at times. I also didn't skimp on the front end re-build or on the 4 new tires the car needed to make it a safe driver while I addresed the other mechanical issiues since I bought it. There is no room for the "Rambler Mentality" with these needed saftey related items. All that aside, who would in their right mind would chance destroying a 30 year old almost rust free survivor like I found by being CHEAP!!!!! Not me!! I didn't mention I got screwed out of this same car 4 years previously before I finally boug!
 ht it thanks to friend who put me on to it for sale and help'd me buy it. 
"Doc"     












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