[DeTomaso] Help with Managusta brakes

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/11/12 11:25:46 AM, damaadams at aol.com writes:

> I'm scrambling to get the Mangusta ready for a major event and the rear 
> brakes have chosen to freeze up. Can anyone tell me the correct part number 
> for the required Girling caliper rebuild kit?? ( fronts as well )
> 
Darryl, WHICH Girling brakes? The rears could be small iron Girlings with 
pair-of-pliers e-brake calipers built in, or large aluminum Girlings with the 
same type of e-brake but all the parts much larger & as usual nothing 
interchanges between the types. The aluminums were used on 427 Cobras and a few 
other big Brit-cars of the '60s and rebuild kits are available thru Cobra 
rebuilders. The small iron ones were on never-imported Alfa Berlina 2600 and 
you're on your own with that...
Personally, I'd pop the pistons out of what you've got with air or 
hydraulic pressure, scotch-brite the varnish off the pistons & bores and reassemble 
with fingers crossed, rebuilding later due to your time constraints. Good 
luck- Girling caliper pistons are nickel-plated mild steel, not ss like in the 
U.S.   and the steel rusts under the plating like an old bumper, causing 
pits that will tear up new seals- another reason to change brake fluid yearly. 

Cheers- J Deryke