C2 silicone brake fluid

[Randy Swartout]

I would like to know if there are any special requirements for converting to silicone brake fluid. Just a flush and replace or does it require special seals.

My 66 is infrequently driven and I understand silicone will be an advantage ,ie, no absorbtion of moisture. Is the alternative just Dot 3 with an periodic flush.

Any tips would be appreciated.

[Wayne K.]

Re: C2 silicone brake fluid

Randy,

The time to do silicone is when you are ready to rebuilt the complete system. My car was done along with new lines about 10years ago and I haven't had any problems. If you have a good system now I would tell you to flush the system every two years with DOT-4 ( I like Castrol LMA ) and consider the change over when you need or want to overhaul the system.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 silicone brake fluid

Agree. The only time to convert to silicone is when you start with everything disassembled, spotless, and then put it together beginning with the master and wheel cylinders.

It is virtually impossible to completely purge the system of glycol fluid by flushing/bleeding with silicone. Until you're ready to start from scratch keep using glycol fluid and flush the system every two to three years.

Duke

[Patrick T.]

Re: C2 silicone brake fluid

I switched my '67 over from glycol to silicone, with the same brake lines and no problems. I put the car on jackstands, took off the wheels and gravity bled the system (all four at the same time)with a gallon of denatured alcohol. This took place over a period of two weeks, so the alcohol had plenty of "hang time" and I gravity bled it a couple hours every night.

Heat up the silicone in a coffee can on the stove until all the air bubbles were at the top and let it cool down and don't agitate. Let it cool to room temperature, pour it into the MC and gravity bleed until all the alcohol is out, it's easy to tell from the smell and color of the blue silicone.

For three years now, I've always had a rock hard pedal, no air bubbles, and the silicone doesn't ruin your paint.

[Mike McKown]

Amen, Patrick *NM*

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 silicone brake fluid

How did you purge the alcohol?

Duke