jim lockwood

A couple of decades ago I put some new wheel cylinders on my '60 and filled the system with silicone brake fluid. For 20+ years the brake system has worked and worked and worked with no maintenance or attention.

Well, this week, as part of a project to install Big(ger) Brakes on my '60, I removed those 20 year old wheel cylinders. Out of curiosity, I popped them apart to see how they had fared with 21 years of use.

The two photos below tell all.

Looking into the bore of one front wheel cylinder:




The interior parts of the same front wheel cylinder:



Yep, shiny metal everywhere. Not one bit of corrosion anywhere.


The wheel cylinders I pulled off back in '87 had had only glycol brake fluid and they weren't even rebuildable.

So if you've ever wondered if you made a good decision when you decided to use DOT 5 fluid, here's some evidence that you did.

Jim

L78racer

That's good to see. Thanks for sharing. I put DOT 5 in mine about 8 years ago.

john neas

Jim
Great post. One picture is worth a thousand subjective words. Will you be at Laguna Seca this next weekend, hope to see you.
Regards

MikeM

Jim:

If your post/pictures don't make a believe out of the doubters, nothing will.

MikeM

Jim:

If your post/pictures don't make believers out of the doubters, nothing will.

CaveCreekChump

Excellent report!

I switched to Dot 5 in my '65 roadster back in the 90s and have had no problems at all. The pedal has always been rock solid and the peace of mind about paint damage is icing on the cake.

You have made me think seriously about getting rid of the Dot 3 & 4 in two of my other old cars.

1snake

I put silicone fluid in my 60 in 1986 when I did a body off restoration. I've never had a problem. The fluid in the M/C looks like it was just poured out of the bottle.

Jim

62Jeff

Found the exact same thing when in December 2007, I tore down the wheel cylinders I installed on my 62 in 1982 with DOT 5 fluid.

Godholio

Wow. I'm planning on a brake rebuild over the winter...definitely good to know! Great pictures, that's unbelievable.

babbah

I installed SS sleeved calipers on my 67 in 1982 (26 years ago!!) and used Silicone Brake Fluid, DOT 5. To this day I have never touched them again, and they continue to work flawlessly. DOT 5 is truly the way to go!

edward3090

I think I replaced my 67 calipers in the late 70"s with SS and Dot 5 fluid. No problems at all. I'm a believer!

Tom/99

I put silicone brake fluid in my 69 Road Runner in 1989. I've never had any brake problems in the 19 years it's been used. I put it in my 65 Corvette about seven years ago, no problems with it.

capevettes

That is an interesting post. I have Silicone in one of my cars and have never had a problem I may convert the others. You can't argue with those pictures. The silicone fluid just doesn't attract moisture like the others. It's a nice option for these old cars that sit alot.

Jay1

Remember that all synthetic brake fluids-Dot whatever will not absorb moisture either. Good for the paint--I'm not sure about that though.

rongold

My DOT 5 fluid has been in for almost 20 years. I changed all 4 calipers and installed silicone
fluid back in 1989---NO PROBLEMS YET !!!

RON

LouieM

I second all the opinions about the goodness of silicone brake fluid. It's been in my 67 for five years with no problems. Yes, it can attract air, but that's what bleeding the brakes if for... and the hardware will always look new..... and you will never destroy any paint either.

RoadKing96

Need help understanding the advantage/disadvantages of Silcone vs. DOT 4 synthetic.

1) As I understand, in order to change from DOT 3 / 4 to DOT 5 one needs to ensure ALL previous completely cleaned out. Also must rebuild Master Cylinder and Wheel Cylinders......
vs.
Just blowing out old DOT 3 / 4 and changing to say DOT 4 synthetic?

2) DOT 5 silicone will not absorb moisture when classic may sit.
vs.
DOT 4 synthetic that will also not absorb moisture when sitting?

I know I'm missing something as to why I'd want to change from DOT 4 synthetic to DOT 5 silicone?

Also, does anyone have procedure and photos showing what is entailed with Mast Cylinder rebuild?

Thanks in Advance,
RK

solidaxel

Thanks for the confirmation of the brake job I did to my 65 back in 82.Every time I drive the car, which is rare, I wonder about the Silicone I replaced back then. This is very comforting and informing.
Thanks

MikeM

The only thing you're missing is clicking on the "search" button, same subject.




[QUOTE=RoadKing96;1566662905]Need help understanding the advantage/disadvantages of Silcone vs. DOT 4 synthetic.

I know I'm missing something as to why I'd want to change from DOT 4 synthetic to DOT 5 silicone?

RoadKing96

OK.....I'll keep seaching