Antifreeze-Brake fluid

[Hank Rossi]

I'm in the process of restoring my 1962 Corvette. I am replacing
all brake lines with stainless,and replacing the wheel cylinders, and rebuilding the master cylinder. I will also rebuild the original radiator. Has anyone had experience with silicone brake fluid and long term anti-freeze. Also any suggustions on manual transmission fluid? I will drive the car less than 1000 miles a year. Thanks for your input. Hank

[Wayne K.]

Re: Antifreeze-Brake fluid

Hank,

From what you tell us I think your are good to go with silicone brake fluid. The important thing when changing over to silicone is to start with a system that is free of any conventional fluid. This means that any assembled parts (wheel cylinders & master cyiinder) should be done using silicone. I have a changed over system and haven't experienced any negative issues.
I've read mixed opinions with regards to the anti-freeze question so I will let others chime in on that one as I have no personal experience with long term products.

Wayne

[John H.]

Re: Antifreeze-Brake fluid

The transmission was designed and developed to use 75W90/80W90 gear lube; works for me. No need for the whizbang ultra-additive super-slippery miracle synthetic hot-rod lubes in 40-year-old transmissions, in spite of the Jeg's/Summit hype.

[Michael W.]

Re: Antifreeze-Brake fluid

You can't really say 'restoring' in the same sentence as 'stainless' brake lines. This will get you a deduct during judging and IMHO is a good example of overkill when rebuilding a car. The original TBW lines lasted through 30-40 years of hard service and now get replaced with a difficult to work with and expensive product that will last ??? years - on a car that will rarely (if ever) see bad weather again. JMHO

[Bill E.]

Re: Antifreeze-Brake fluid

Hank:
I have silicone brake fluid in my 1974 and it works fine. Only a few things to remember: not all parts stores carry silicone fluid in case you need it in an emergency, never mix silicone and Dot-3,and pour the fluid carefully to avoid bubbles.
Bill