[PPCC] Brake Fluid

Thu Sep 13 20:44:15 EDT 2018

John:
and my $0.25 worth echoes the other posts.
Use DOT3; easy to procure; most common brake fluid out there, and is relatively inexpensive.
If you want some extra heat protection, you could spring for DOT4, but that's harder to find and costs more.
See the link below for some basic info on the difference between brake fluids.
https://blog.amsoil.com/whats-the-difference-between-dot-3-and-dot-4-brake-fluid/

One more thing; even though we live in a dry climate, brake fluid LOVES moisture (water) and it gets contaminated and looses its stopping power. A good preventative maintenance practice is to "replace" the brake fluid (flush the system) every couple of years or so.
Now, do I do that on MY cars?...well, maybe only if I replace a component or when I do the brake shoes.

Happy motoring
JD

> On September 13, 2018 at 7:56 PM David Feasel via PPCC-list <ppcc-list at corvair.org> wrote:
> 
>     My 2 cents worth on this. I've used dot 3 on new systems and old. No problem. Like Ed said, if you know what is already in the lines use it. Like Steve, I've used used dot 3 on partial brake placement not knowing what was in there and everything is fine. 
>        Grumpy.
> 
>     On Thu, Sep 13, 2018, 5:39 PM MICHAEL PIPER via PPCC-list < ppcc-list at corvair.org mailto:ppcc-list at corvair.org > wrote:
> 
>         > >         Since we've been invited to Chime in...
> > 
> >         I have a 1965 Corsa. Everything was new except wheel cylinders which I honed and rebuilt. I put in the Clarks dual master cylinder conversion which really doesn't matter to this discussion. I put DOT5 silicone fluid in it. While it works great, solid pedal and all that, it was hard to bleed because if you are too vigorous pumping the brake when you bleed it you will likely get air bubbles in the system and never get a firm pedal. So, when you pump it before opening the bleeder, pump it SLOWLY. When you let the pedal back up, do it SLOWLY. When you add fluid to the reservoir, do it SLOWLY and carefully and let the bubbles rise before you start back in. When I say SLOWLY, allow two-three seconds where you might normally allow one when bleeding. In retrospect, I probably should have used DOT 3 but I don't want to mess with flushing the silicone out to switch it now.
> > 
> >         On my 1966 Monza I used DOT3, again with a dual master cylinder conversion. New hoses and wheel cylinders, mostly old steel lines. The problem I ran into there is apparently the omission of the check valves and smaller ports in the piston area of the newer master cylinder means that as you pump it and let the pedal up after opening the bleed screw you also need to do that slowly to allow the chambers to fill. Air bubbles are not much of a problem when adding fluid. Once I figured out how to chase the air out I have solid pedal there too.
> > 
> >         A good thing about DOT 5 is it will not eat paint and doesn't dry out our skin like DOT 3. Don't get either one in your eyes.
> > 
> >         Regards,
> > 
> >         Mike
> > 
> > 
> >             > > > On September 13, 2018 at 5:15 PM Ed & Cheryl Halpin via PPCC-list < ppcc-list at corvair.org mailto:ppcc-list at corvair.org > wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             Hi John,
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             Glad to hear from you.  Great question!  Others can chime in, but I'll give you my two cents.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             In my '60, I redid all of the brakes at the point of restoration (master cylinder, hoses, and wheel cylinders (did not need to do lines), and I went with toe good old DOT3 brake fluid.  Have not had any issues with water in the lines, or stiffness of pedal. The bleeding process went as normal, no issues.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             In my '67 Sedan, I only had to replace the wheel cylinders (all lines, the dual master cylinder and hoses were all in good shape) and do a brake line flush.  For that one, I again used the DOT3 fluid, and I have never had an issue, nice stiff pedal and no issue bleeding the brakes.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             In the '62 wagon I just completed, I wound up replacing both rear brake lines, hoses, and wheel cylinders, while I was in there doing the complete rear suspension upgrade (went to the '64 leaf spring set-up).  The car came to me with DOT5/silicone already in the lines, and I saw no need to replace it (if it aint broke, ...) so I bought a bottle of DOT5, bled the system as normal, and I've had a nice stiff pedal on the car.  No weird issues or problems bleeding the brakes.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             As to the article you had read, I'm not sure either what it would mean for it to be hard to bleed.  Once set up, it's a closed system, and in our arid climate (even Denver is considered a high plains desert), I'm not sure how much of an issue it is.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             Now, those are the three vehicles I can speak to.  Other folks in the Club, chime on in with your thoughts.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             Ed Halpin, PPCC
> > > 
> > > 
> > >                 > > > > On September 13, 2018 at 5:02 PM John Kull via PPCC-list < ppcc-list at corvair.org mailto:ppcc-list at corvair.org > wrote:
> > > > 
> > > >                 Greetings from Grand Junction! 
> > > > 
> > > >                 Those of you that know me know that I am really new to Corvairs. I am working with my son on a 67 Monza and we plan to replace EVERYTHING in the braking system. I have acquired new lines, hoses, shoes, master cylinder and am rebuilding wheel cylinders. My question is about fluid. I keep hearing folks talk about DOT 5 or silicone brake fluid. The Clarks website seems to push it and I hear that many folks use it on older cars since it will not attract water. It all sounds good but the other day I ran across an article that gave a few downsides saying silicone fluid is hard to bleed and if you live in a dry climate (which I do) that you really can stick with DOT 3?
> > > > 
> > > >                 So I am asking the club members - what do you ladies and gentlemen use on your cars, trucks and vans?
> > > > 
> > > >                  DOT 3 or DOT 5 and what does it mean that silicone fluid is "hard to bleed?"
> > > > 
> > > >                 Thanks in advance!
> > > > 
> > > >                 JK
> > > >                 _______________________________________________
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> > >         > >          
> > 
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