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Re: Re[2]: Dumb Question N0. 2,745

To: <jbonina@nectech.com>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: Dumb Question N0. 2,745
From: "Sumner Weisman" <sweisman@gis.net>
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 17:34:19 -0400
Cc: "Triumphs" <triumphs@Autox.Team.Net>
Jeff,

Hi Jeff,

The dangers, such as disintegrating rubber parts, have been covered by some
smart people on the list.  I learned a lot from them.  The reason I know
what was already in there is that I rebuilt the whole system a coupla years
ago, after draining all the old fluid.  Took apart all wheel cylinders,
both master cylinders, and clutch slave cylinder, and put all new rubber
parts in.  I then filled the system with the Lucas-Girling approved Castrol
brake fluid and bled the system.

Two more comments:  Last Fall I had to put in my second brake light
pressure switch.  The first, from Moss, only lasted a year.  The second,
from TRF, is still OK so far.  Also, when I rebuilt the brake system, I
didn't replace the flexible rubber brake lines with the woven metal covered
ones.  I wish I did.  I think I'll do it this Spring, since I have to
invade the system anyway to replace a busted bleed valve, already discussed
here.

I saw a TR-6 on Water Street in Framingham last Saturday night.  Was that
you by any chance?

Sumner Weisman
62 TR3-B

----------
> From: jbonina@nectech.com
> To: Sumner Weisman <sweisman@gis.net>; Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
> Cc: Barry Schwartz <bschwart@pacbell.net>; Triumphs
<triumphs@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Re[2]: Dumb Question N0. 2,745
> Date: Monday, April 20, 1998 10:13 AM
> 
>      Here's the 64-thousand dollar question.
>      
>      If you are adding brake fluid to a car, how do you know what type is

>      already in there? What are the dangers of mixing different types?
>      
>      
>      Jeff
> 
> 
> ______________________________ Reply Separator
> Subject: Re: Dumb Question N0. 2,745
> Author:  Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net> at SMTP
> Date:    4/17/98 2:35 PM
> 
> 
>      
> Sumner,
> Castrol makes a compatible product that is approved.  I have found it 
> available in many auto parts stores.  It's called GTLMA Brake Fluid.
>      
> Joe Curry
>      
> Sumner Weisman wrote:
> > 
> > Barry,
> > 
> > Thanks for the input.  When I rebuilt all the hydraulics a coupla years
> > ago, I put in Castrol brake fluid labeled "Lucas Girling, Exceeds Dot 3
and 
> > Dot 4.  Now, I can't seem to find this stuff in my local store, and was
> > wondering about the silicone, which I've never used.  I understand your
> > concern about not mixing silicone with the old stuff.  If I drain the
bleed 
> > valves at all 4 wheels as well as the clutch slave cylinder, I think
that
> > there will still be a little old fluid in the system, so I don't think
I 
> > will use the silicone.    Guess I'll look around further for the fluid
I 
> > used before.  It seems foolish to have to order it by mail.
> > 
> > Sumner
> > 
> > ----------
> > > From: Barry Schwartz <bschwart@pacbell.net> 
> > > To: Sumner Weisman <sweisman@gis.net>
> > > Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
> > > Subject: Re: Dumb Question N0. 2,745 
> > > Date: Friday, April 17, 1998 10:29 AM 
> > >
> > > Summer writes:
> > > >All my beliefs are being blown out of the water.  Here I have been
> > > >conscientiously using lead additive in my TR-3, and now people on
this 
> > list
> > > >are telling me I don't need it and plain unleaded gas is fine, and
that 
> > the
> > > >valves will last for many years.
> > > **************************************
> > > No all your beliefs are not blown out of the water.  If you have a no
or 
> > > pre lead head, AND it has had a steady diet of lead at one time, then
> > > enough residual lead remains to lubricate the valves and/or seats. 
Using 
> > > unleaded under these conditions and without prolonged high
speed/heavy
> > load
> > > you probably won't see any undue valve seat recession.  On rebuild
it's 
> > > false economy to not replace the exhaust valve seats and exhaust
valves 
> > > with ones designed to run on unleaded fuel as you WILL have premature
> > > (exhaust) valve and seat wear.  If you constantly run your engine to
> > > redline, and floor it all the time, then again you will see
accelerated 
> > > valve seat recession with a pre-lead head weather it's had lead at
one 
> > time
> > > or not.  As for pinging or knocking mentioned in another thread, it
IS
> > > damaging to your engine no matter how slight.  Knocking or pinging is
an 
> > > uncontrolled explosion that puts undesigned stress on the piston
crowns, 
> > > wrist pins, rod bearings and big end bearings.  As for you engine
system 
> > > check indicators, they are not designed to indicate wear or problems
in 
> > > those areas and its just a matter of time before something will break
or 
> > > wear out earlier than an engine operated as designed-
> > > ****************************************
> > > >OK, let me ask about another possible myth I've been living with. 
What 
> > > >about the warnings that say that I should only use Girling approved
> > brake
> > > >fluid?  Can I use any good Dot 3 or Dot 4 fluid? 
> > > ****************************************
> > > Yes it has been discussed before but as listers come and go these
will be 
> > > brought up again and again.  That's how the new people learn, and I
for
> > one
> > > don't mind repeating.  After all we were all *new* listers once :-}. 
> > Those
> > > warnings are valid. If your system is a stock Girling system, that
has 
> > not
> > > been rebuilt and ready for new fluid, then DO NOT MIX FLUIDS and
don't 
> > use
> > > Dot 3.  Dot 4 Girling fluid is designed for the natural rubber seals
in 
> > > your system and using Dot 3 WILL damage those seals causing
pre-mature 
> > > failure.  If you have completely rebuilt and flushed the entire
system, 
> > > then you may chose either Dot 5, or Dot 4, but again, NEVER mix
fluids, 
> > > most are not compatible, and after all, with the exception of Dot 5
> > > (silicon), these fluids are relatively inexpensive.  Why take a
chance 
> > with
> > > such important systems in your vehicle just to save a few pennys?? 
> > >
> > > Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net 
> > >
> > > 72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
> > > 70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit) 
> > > 70 Spitfire (project)
> > > 73 Ford Courier (parts hauler, rain vehicle, getting a V6 soon!)
>      
> -- 
> "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
>      
>  -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer

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