Re: WINDOW STICKERS, FRONT DISC BRAKES + OTHER THINGS

[farna@xxxxxxx]

The 78 discs will work, just make sure the calipers have been rebuilt. If the piston is steel instead of phenolic plastic they have been -- easy enough to check when off. I'm not positive if the rotors for 77-78 are different than 79-83 or not, but some sources list them as different. Check price and availability at one of the chain stores for 77-78 rotors vs. 79-83. If the 77-78 are available and priced similar to 79-83 go ahead and use them. The 82-83 calipers are the best, but hard to find. 79-81 are just fine and more plentiful. 

You need the rotors, spindles, brackets and calipers. Rebuilt calipers are around $20 each but only have the main body and piston, not the rear frame that bolts to the bracket. Cost of all this depends on where you go. If a local pick-n-pull has them you should be able to get both sides for $100, $40 for rebuilt calipers, $50 for new rubber hoses (depends on year, some are lower), $30 for good pads. If you need new rotors expect to pay $50 each. That's $320 in parts, and I'd think maybe $150 in labor from a small shop, probably twice that at a larger one. With new rotors, and a mechanic that knows what he's doing (that's the big one!), should be no more than 3-4 hours labor. So you're close at $450, $500-$550 should get the job done with new parts. If the rotors can be turned you'll get off $80 or so cheaper. To bad I'm not over that way -- I only charge $40 an hour for jobs like this I can do in the driveway. But then I don't get in a rush either. I price a job on what I th!
 ink it will take me, then if I take longer it's my problem -- unless something comes up to cause me to be longer. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
			

 -------------- Original message ----------------------

> Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2005 01:32:55 -0500
> From: AUTOtronic@xxxxxxx
> Subject: WINDOW STICKERS, FRONT DISC BRAKES + OTHER THINGS
> To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> I got a price yesterday of $450 to do the front drum brakes on my ?64 American 
> and thought, this is a good time to do a FDB upgrade instead. I know it?s 
> probably posted somewhere, but where might I find all the needed information in 
> one place. I need to know exactly what to take off of the donor car, what late 
> model donor cars are best, how much should all the parts cost and what a 
> competent mechanic should charge me for the labor. Is there anyone in Southern 
> California, on the list, who would be interested in doing the work for me and 
> what would you charge me? Some years back I traded a ?65 440H hardtop parts car 
> for the job on my Gucci Sportabout (are you still on the list) so I have no idea 
> of what the job is worth. I?d really love it if I can find someone who either 
> has or can get the parts and do the work for me.
> 
> I may part out the pair (but the time issue comes in to play again) as both have 
> FDB, which I need for the ?64 American and which I think work (anyone here can 
> confirm this for me?). That brings up another opportunity, someone taking the 
> pair and in exchange for a lower price, pull the FDB for me after towing away 

> the pair. Again, anyone interested?