I have not done the conversion to dot-5 on any of my projects. Still using
dot-4. I think that most of the trouble with breaking systems on spits is
because fluids are not changed on a regualr basis. I believe dot 4
replacement is recommended every 2-4 years. I have a 76 rolling restoratoin
that I just bled 2 pints of dot 4 through to flush it out and have been
driving it for 3 years now with no trouble.
Since dot 5 is sinicone based, it will not absorb any moisture at all. I
think cleaning the system out with shop air would be suficient. I would use
a can of dry air to evacuate the system after using shop air. (Air Horn
can). You might be able to use the dry gas compound from an auto store. I
think that stuff that you want is anhydrous alchol. That is pure alchol
with no water in it. Denatured alchol is ethyl alchol that has a compound
in it that will make you sick if you drink it. It does not mean that it is
not mixed with water. I think you can go to a drug store and ask for
anhydrous methyl alchol.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoff Heyland" <gheyland@odyssey.on.ca>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 8:27 PM
Subject: "Denatured Alcohol" and Flying Fantasies
> OK folks - I've seen several references to denatured alcohol as a
recommended
> brake/clutch system cleaner prior to switching to DOT 5 fluid. I've
checked
> at Walmart, Home Depot, Canadian Tire (being Canadian) and the Building
Box -
> no luck - no one even knows what I'm talking about (granted, most are
teenage
> wannabe's with limited familiarity with this stuff). Is it known by some
> other name? Any ideas on where I can acquire it? I also saw a reference
to
> acetone - is this a good thing to flush through a system, or might if
affect
> the seals? I figure to fill the system with some kind of cleaner then
blow it
> out with air pressure and refill with DOT 5 (note - I've already cleaned
and
> rebuilt the MC and slave, and have all new wheel cylinders/rebuilt caliper
> pistons, so the big issue is cleaning out the tubing).
>
> Also - to join the club - I've got 55 hours of solo and cross country in
my
> log - from 1973-75 when I first owned my current Spitfire. Used to fly
out of
> Buttonville, for you Ontario Canucks on the list! Had to stop when
university
> started I'm afraid - limited cash resources for plane rentals. I loved it
> then, miss it still and continue to fantasize of pulling back on the wheel
> while driving the Spit and lifting into a clear blue summer sky (sigh).
Note
> - I also fantasize about flipping the machine gun switch on my shift knob
and
> blowing the hell out of some other drivers from time to time (sigh).
>
> Geoff Heyland
> London, Ontario
> 65 Spit Mk II
> 67 Spit Mk II
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