[Shotimes] FW: "Hillman - " Brake fluid - Might have SHO guys interested

[Christian Andretta]

Valvoline Syntec DOT 3/4 fluid is great.  It has high wet and dry boiling
points (higher than LMA) and a low affinity for moisture. AFAIK it is
compatible with all DOT 3 and 4 fluids.

Chris A
99 SF

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of David Rosicke
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 10:33 PM
To: 'SHOtimes'
Subject: [Shotimes] FW: "Hillman - " Brake fluid - Might have SHO guys
interested


A current thread on Brake fluid on the Hillman list.  The consensus is that
the Gastrol GT/LMA is the most compatible with all systems.

Dave R.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hillman@can-inc.com [mailto:owner-hillman@can-inc.com]On Behalf
Of Import Auto Supply


We occasionally get cars in the shop or cylinders on the counter that have
had their rubber turn black and the seals either swollen, horribly pitted,or
simply dissolved into tarry lumps. Usually the customer has no idea what was
put in it (except for the guy who tried motorcycle fork oil in his Toyota
clutch cylinder--that lasted 20 minutes). From my recollection, when they
did the DOT recommendations, rubber compatability was not one of the
standards, which it was on DOT4. My recommendation: considering the supply
level of Hillman cylinder kits, don't even mess with it, use Castrol GT/LMA
(which is a DOT3/4, not a DOT3). DOT4 also involves higher temperature
capacity and lower affinity for moisure, which are Good Things.  Out
experience is that some of the DOT3 fluids are compatible and some aren't,
but it really isn't worth the chances.

On Sun, 1 Jun 2003 06:25:44 -0400 "Ed Meadowcroft"
<ed_meadowcroft@snap-tite.com> writes:
  Hi All,

  Welcome to June 2003........where did the last 5 months go?

  I have been rebuilding the brakes on the Minx convertible and have arrived
at the point where I add brake fluid. I don't want to use silicone because
a) there will still be residual glycol fluid in the system and b) I want to
maintain the original stoplight switch function.

  I have checked various spec sheets for dot 3 and dot 4 fluids and from a
chemist's point of view I can't see any reason why they should damage
Lockheed seals. I know there has been discussion among the group which
contradicts this so I have a couple of questions for those who have had
problems. 1. Were the seals which were affected by modern fluid used ones or
old stock ones? I ask because rubber which has aged in air or light can
deteriorate in ways not obvious to the naked eye and lose the fluid
resistance. 2. Were the seals of Lockheed manufacture or from some less well
known company?

  Unfortunately I don't really have the time to conduct a long term test by
soaking a new seal in dot 3 or 4 fluid and seeing what happens, I want to
get the car up and running! I intend to use dot 3 fluid and trust my own
judgement as a chemist unless I hear some convincing argument against it. I
will also put a seal in fluid and keep a check on it over the coming months.

  Would listmembers let me know their experiences with modern dot 3 [or dot
4] brake fluids, not just those who had problems but also those who have not
so I can get an overall picture and I will post the results of the survey on
the list.

  Thanks
  Ed
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