piper

What do you guys think of using the Dot 5 ? I used it in my 67 and then i heard all kinds of bad storys

Glenn's 67 BB Vert

Not for me ever--glenn

CaveCreekChump

I respectfully disagree.

Been using it for about 5 years in my '65 with no problems what-so-ever. I've heard the stories too, and was prepared to flush it out.

Last winter I added a dual-chamber master cylinder and a booster. The brakes now work and feel as good as anything I have ever driven.

BADBIRDCAGE

I know some people that have used Dot 5 for years and are really happy with it. They drive their cars two or three times a month for 25 miles or less each time.

I won't use it myself. I autocross, I drive often and I like the Valvoline synthetic instead. Just personal choice.

Rich

CaveCreekChump

Mine is pretty much a daily driver, and certainly no trailer queen.

I do park it during an Illinois winter, but that is the big advantage of Dot-5: no moisture absorption.

Just as soon as I can, I'll be driving it down to the Southwest without making any changes. No fears about the fluid here.

Technite73

Have used it in my 73 since the late 70's with no problems. My 66 has had it since the early 1980's and have had good success also.
Just remember to flush all the old dot 3 out of the system since the two are not compatable.

ffas23

I have been using Dot 5 Silicone brake fluid in my C-3 since around 1990 without any problems with corrosion. My C-2 still has Dot 3 in it though.

babbah

I have had my 67 with J56 HD Disc Brakes since new and it always had leaky calipers. I replaced the calipers with ss sleeved units and Dot5 Fluid in 1982. I have never touched the system again since, no leaks ever, firm pedal and every 10 years I change the pads...It works!!

Tom/99

I've had Dot 5 brake fluid, in my 69 Road Runner since 1990. In 2001, I put Dot 5 in my 65 Corvette. Neither car has had any brake problems since.

BADBIRDCAGE

Major point of all with the brake system. Maintain it. Flush at least yearly. I prefer quarterly.

Rich

misfit1

What I do when I get an old car is, flush the system with denatured alcohol, it cost about $20 a gallon. That gets the sludge and water out, because you know the fluid has been there since the factory. Then I fill with dot 5. I have never had a problem with any of the old cars I own using this method.

Cheers, Dave

ffas23

You are one lucky person to go that long without the caliper seals going bad especially during that long of a period of 25 years. You are the first that I ever heard of doing so. The main point of using Dot 5 is because its doesn't absorb moisture. This would of been the ideal brake fluid to have in the system of these old Corvettes when they were manufactured back in the 60's but I guess the Silicone brake fluid didn't exist at the time. If it did there probably wouldn't of been any need for someone coming up with the idea of putting SS sleeves into the factory calipers that where just plain old cast iron steel where Dot 3 pitted the cylinders over the years. Today using the factory caliper with SS sleeves one doesn't really need to worry about this problem whether you use Dot 3 brake fluid or not. Dot 3 will work well with the SS sleeved calipers and not corrode them.

babbah above quote like I said is just plain lucky. Even on my C-3 using Dot 5 brake fluid as mentioned in my previous post had seals go bad since 1990 since I changed over to Dot 5 Silicone brake fluid. Mine lasted about 10 years although I don't drive the car very much. It still only has a little over 25k on the odometer. Through my own experience I really don't think using Dot 5 over Dot 3 brake fluid really makes a difference when it comes to how long the rubber seals last on these old Corvette calipers from what I have seen over the many years that I have been driving C-2 and C-3 Corvettes and that has been since 1970 (37) years now. Just my opinion and experience.

66L72

quarterly?!?!? you must be using DOT H20

the reason to flush is to get moisture out......which is exactly what DOT 5 prevents......... i just put it in my 66 rebuild and no issues at all so far.

capevettes

I have DOT 5 in my 68. It was put in before I owned it when the entire system was replaced 10 years ago. No problems and no leaky calipers.

Dot 3 in my 65 and 61. Always problems with leaky calipers in the 65 and brake cylinders in the 61.

DOT 5 doesn't pick up moisture like DOT 3. Just make sure you get all the old stuff out in the transition, which is difficult without replacing parts.

magicv8

Coast to coast and border to border with dot5 in the lines since 1988.

PS: During that time, the only brake service was: front caliper seals in 1997, rear caliper seals in 1999, and a rebuilt 67 master cylinder in 2002. I added more dot 5 during each of those repairs.

Ron Miller

DOT 5 in the '65 and '66 since the mid and late 70's, no problems, luv it!!

piper

Thanks to everyone

babbah

dot 5 RULES!

babbah

They are still dry as a bone, no leaks!! Its the best!! I never flushed the system with anything, I just bled the system until the Dot5 (Purple) fluid flowed out feom each caliper and that was it...I did start the install with 4 new sleeved caliopers, a new master cylinder and ss brake lines, all that remained before bleeding were the factory lines -

BADBIRDCAGE

So maybe I like to know exactly what is in my system. Call me crazy. It's OK, I've been called much worse.

My experience (and the experience of autocrossers here locally, both high and low speed) is that when you flush quarterly or even monthly, as some guys do, you find crap moving through the system that you didn't know was there.

How often do you activate the ABS on your 66? Oh yeah, you don't have ABS. That's not your fault. BUT if you had it and were working the ABS module on a regular basis I believe you would find that the hydraulic shock that occurs (I don't know how else to describe it) when you are in full lock/release mode finds a way to make things move around like you will not find in a standard braking system.

If you want to use DOT 5 that's your privelege and please be my guest. I just personally don't like to use it.

Rich