Type 14 Calipers, Import Issues Asbestos?

[Peter Truman]

I recently purchased off ebay a set of Spitfire Type 14 original used calipers in what appeared to be in good condition externally & with new pins and pads. I sought out the old original units intending to rebuild them due to the reports of the new aftermarket units not performing due to different profiles of the seal groove!

As I said I got them relatively cheap with new pads for 39quid all up with delivery 75. The items were posted and now the issue, I've just been notified by ebay that Global Shipping have deemed them restrictive and they won't be sent or returned to the seller, I received a full refund even before I was notified of the issue, no mention as to whether the seller retained his money, which I'd like to think he has! eBay didn't advise what was restrictive about the items thinking re Aus import issues asbestos is a no no here, they'll strip a car down here searching for asbestos using specialist contractors leaving the car in bits for you to get rebuilt, all at your cost including the govt costs for inspection and stripping, hen the Govt will charge you GST (VAT) on all costs involved to rub rock salt into the wounds!! There are have been reports of people having incurring up to $750k costs over the purchase and shipping of classics to Aus.

A friend imported a 50's classic Moto Guzzi bike from the UK, when he told me what was about to do I advised him to get his brother to remove all brakes etc he left the oil bath clutch he was lucky it got thro, ironically the brakes were shipped separately with no issue, maybe as a gift avoided inspection.

There is no way I'll find  spit type 14 calipers here in Aus easily, do any of the early Cortina, Marina calipers fit? these maybe easier.

I'm annoyed and frustrated, no negiotation right of appeal, can't respond to the emails, just dumped what a waste!

[Clive]

Can you buy and import the bare calipers? And boxed "asbestos free" pads? 

Otherwise ford M16 calipers will bolt to the upright, and I think GT6 disc. It may need machining down a little (memory hazy on exact details)

[Peter Truman]

Clive It’s the Spitfire type 14 that I want, currently the type 12 that’s fitted as it isa 1966 Mk2, I did replace them around 20years ago with new type 12 as used on Formula Ford racers.

As I can determine type 12 have 38mm dia pistons and type 14, have 48mm dia.

Type 16’s easily obtained here in Aus as were fitted to the Holden Kingswood & Ford Falcon or similar. In fact a couple of years ago I was offered NOS units less than$50 ea

[Clive]

Ford m16 will bolt to spitfire uprights. (Assuming, big word, they are the same as UK capri/cortina etc etc)

[Colin Lindsay]

As Clive says buy the calipers with no pads, then buy known asbestos-free pads such as Mintex as a separate purchase.

[ahebron]

Hi Pete.

You can get Mintex 1144 pads for the type 12. 
I mentioned I bought some on here a wee while ago.

I have heard of crazy issues with Aussie asbestos rules, I think the Maseratis made the global news.
Many years ago a friend took his Stag back to Oz from NZ thinking it would be a cheap way to go as it was sold new in Australia. Cost him an arm and a leg once it arrived there.
 

[ahebron]

Hi Peter 

I have sent you a message

[Peter Truman]

Thanks for the advice have replied direct

[Peter Truman]

I did some lateral thinking re what other cars might have used Type 14’s and came up with Marina and Escort/Capri/Cortina so I found a set of Escort calipers in Sydney after checking with the Gumtree seller mounting lugs correct and pistons same dimensions so at the price of $45 the pair they were worth the risk. They arrived yesterday externally quite clean but couldn’t move the pistons even with compressed air so had to revert to the grease gun using a modified bleed nipple internally threaded to take a UNF 1/8in grease nipple ex UJ, process worked well pistons pushed out piston bores OK but some heavy rust on the bottom which has cleaned up.

getting the grease out has taken some effort but in practice the pressure the old Wanner develops does the job!

might have to space the disc off the hub to get the offset correct 1/16 to 1/8in should work. But I need to check if the later Spit upright with 3 bolts has the same mounting offset as the earlier Type 12 Herald seperate mounting bracket.

Now to buy a set of 4 pistons and seals to reco the calipers, I found some for around $100.

Well it’s keeping me occupied during our current lock down.