After replacing the front disc pads on my '71 Cutlass, I noticed the caliper pistons were slow and nearly stiff. I pulled them last night and found brake fluid that looked like old motor oil in the piston area. They still cleaned up pretty well, but I noticed some of the plating had deteriorated in the bores and some pitting was present. Are these salvageable, or should I pitch 'em and get new ones?

 

Don't pitch them, use them as cores for new/rebuilt ones their cheap enough not to mess with the old ones. JKaz

 

The beauty of the single piston calipers is that the seal slides on the piston. Pitting in the caliper bore really doesn't affect sealing of the piston. You can replace the seal (rebuild kits only cost a few dollars) and even replace the pistons if necessary - though the usually clean up with a little scotchbrite. And as noted above, even rebuilt calipers are not expensive.

 

I ordered two rebuild kits today for $5 each and will reassemble everything tomorrow. Hopefully in time to still make it to the local taco stand for the weekly cruise in!