R. Johnson - Dallas wrote: =
>>I am thinking about a major freshing up of the B this Spring as I belie=
ve
I
>>will have another car available then. If I am able to follow through wi=
th
this
>>plan, I believe I will change over both the brake and clutch hydraulic
systems
>>to silicone brake fluild, not just because of the higher boiling point
and non
>>hydroscopic properties, but because another such mess won't undo all of=
my
>>efforts to keep a really nice looking engine bay for shows and just
showing
>>off. Besides the high cost, I'd like to hear some comments from those o=
f
you
>>who use this stuff.
Hi, =
First of all I have never used the stuff but it does give me an opportuni=
ty
to plug the Dec/Jan issue of British Car one more time. Honest, no
interest in the mag!!
Paul Kile writes on Fluids and Lubricants in the Basic British Tech colum=
n.
The following are a few points he makes that should get the web juices
flowing:
--"More British brake and clutch hydraulic system failures are caused by
incorrect fluid than any other factor."
--"...(Lockheed and Girling) used natural rubber in the dust and fluid
seals....."
--"Regular American brand DOT 3 brake fluids will cause the natural rubbe=
r
components to absorb water and breakdown."
--"There is only one easily available non-silicone fluid compatible with
British hydraulic systems, Castrol GT LMA DOT 4 fluid."
On silicone fluid Paul writes:
--"It is non-hygroscopic...."
--"....it will not harm paint...."
--"...it is much more stable over time."
--"....possible incompatibility with silicone fluid and pressure type bra=
ke
light switches."
--"...the fluid is more compressible.....Cars....will have a slightly
"softer pedal"."
--"Also silicone fluid is less heat resistant so it is never used in raci=
ng
applications and heavy use of the brakes should be avoided as much as
possible to avoid brake fade."
--If you are switching [to silicone fluid] you should do a complete
hydraulic system rebuild with new seals and hoses......(just purging the
system may not be sufficient)."
--".....If you do use silicone fluid, you should label your master
cylinders.
Mr. Kile talks about Rear Axle/Differential Oils, Steering System
Lubrication, Shock Absorbers, Suspension and Driveline Lubrication and
Antifreeze in the same article.
Definitely a keeper!
Regards,
Michael.
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