350i Front Brakes

350i Front Brakes

Author
Discussion

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi just received what I thought would be a fitting kit, ie springs/pins for my 1988 350i. Unfortunately they don't fit (To Small) although were advertised for an Austin Princess. My front calipers fitted from manufacture are 4 x pot with ventilated discs, about 275mm? So what are they? Any help appreciated as to where I can get a fitting kit as the springs are rusted through. Thanks J C.
PS, just looked at the original sales invoice dated 02/11/88 to see any clues as to the type of brakes fitted but just states "4 Pot Brakes, Met Paint, Alarm but more interestingly 225 BHP Engine?? Was this an option? over the standard one? I thought they were all standard Rover units. J C.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Any pics of them mate...

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi Mark, pics of the calipers you mean? I'll post up tomorrow. I'm going to phone Racetech tomorrow to see if they can help. Any thoughts on the engine?

KKson

3,395 posts

124 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi, I heard that you could order the 225bhp SE spec engine as an option. Nice find. Would be interesting to get it on a rolling road to confirm.

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Keith, I would have never have known except for the original bill of sale. I thought all 350i's had the standard Rover Vitess engine? Assuming of course the original engine is still fitted? rolleyes Now it's running it does sound nice. What other surprises does this car have!

Moose v8

204 posts

65 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi, Jono when I had my 350 upgraded to princess 4 calipers. Used Europra to get spacer kit new pistons and seals to allow fitment of vented discs came with new pins. Are they ford grandad calipers sometimes used , try EBay looking. Early Mk2 Escort was a popular and cheap conversion in the old days. Please measure the length may have a set

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Wednesday 19th December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Moose v8, will post up a picture tomorrow evening of the caliper, pins and springs. Cheers John C.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
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Hi John

As Moose says...some have used the Granada M16 calipers...AP calipers should have a "G" stamped on the outer casing of the piston...If they are AP racing then they are different.



Ziga smile

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi John


As regards to engine Dominic had a red 350i that pushed the same 225bhp..I know that had a different cam.....not sure if you would find 35hp with just cam though...must have had some head work...

Mind you I found 61hp with a supercharger...smile

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Mark, must have had attention to the ports as well? Who knows with TVR. Did they have Dynos in 1988? Still puzzling over the type of front calipers. Racetech also thought that Austin Princess ones were fitted but said the'd do a bit more investigation. I'll post up some pics tonight. J C

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi John

I doubt if it was TVR who did it...a series 2 350i was around 190bhp..either way you have had a result..smile

Ziga smile

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Nice to know either way Mark. Here's some pics of the front brake caliper and pin/spring. The securing pin is about 3.75" (9mm) long.









Hope these help. Racetech came back with a Jaguar number but was for the rear calipers. Thanks for any thoughts. J C.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Hi John


They look right...except they have no link pipes?...maybe try another supplier for the pin etc...its best to contact them and ask for measurements.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...

Moose v8

204 posts

65 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
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not quite the same but are available on eBay , I don't think they are princess calipers as mentioned in previous post no link pipes

Moose v8

204 posts

65 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
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Think I have found some eBay classic _ car Spares_ UK

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Moose V8. Those were the items I bought Mark. Looked right but way to small to fit, the springs were rubbing on the disc and no way were the pins long enough. The pins that Moose V8 found on flee bay are just about right at 90mm, could be a little longer though.

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Its probably because the calipers have a fitting kit to widen them due to the vented disc...
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...

John042

Original Poster:

892 posts

168 months

Thursday 20th December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Mark I've sent a message to the company to see what they can supply. I can probably source the securing pins but the pad locating springs could be a problem. Thaanks John C.

SEvans

1,159 posts

266 months

Friday 21st December 2018
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I have the same setup as you on my Wedge. Instead of using split pins I have roll pins that are drilled on the end to accept a small R clip. I don't have any info or pics on what's fitted and it's a while since I did anything on the brakes so I'd have to take a wheel off to have a look but if you need more info let me know.
Cheers Steve

gmw9666

2,734 posts

199 months

Friday 21st December 2018
quotequote all
Knew I had an old price list somewhere

225 bhp = £1200 option