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rbennett47

Converted my '54 Hornet to DOT 5, with new everything except the front lines which were flushed thoroughly. Now the master and wheel cylinders are leaking. Any source for DOT 5 compatible kits for stepdowns ? Bob Bennett

nick s

Bob, everything should be compatible with the exception of the brake light switch (the silicone fluid tends to eat one a year). That being said you will or may have already heard reasons for and against using dot 5. I had problems from expansion and the switches, so I use dot 4.

53jetman

Bob & Nick - I have used DOT 5 in my '53 Super Jet since about 1980, and have yet to have any bad leaks or brake light switcfhes go bad. As far as I know, the brake light switch is the original from 1953. The car did set for a couple of years ('99 thru '02), and then did show some condensation in the master cylinder with resulting corrosion. Had it and the wheel cylinders sleeved with S/S at that time, and have not had any troubles since.

Jerry

53jetman

nick s

Jerry, it seems that anyone who tells me they have had no problems with switches are using old switches. i blame the quality of the swiches not the fluid for this.

rbennett47

Actually the switch is the one area that's holding up. I replaced the original with a low-pressure actived one from Ron Francis Wiring (hot rod electronics etc.) that was made to be DOT 5 compatible. The brake lights come on now whenever you touch the pedal. That is, they did until the leaks started.....

Jon B

....and of course if you're using a pre-StepDown, you have nothing to fear anyway. That's because the earlier Hudsons use mechanical stoplight switches that have no connection with the hydraulic fluid.

I've used silicone brake fluid in my '37 for maybe 15 years, with no adverse effects.

Richard E.

Actually Jon, I believe that the inline brake light switch on my '36T is activated by the brake fluid?? I am using DOT 5 in my recently restored '36T and so far everything is fine. I have only put 200 miles on it, but no leaks. I have all new brake lines, wheel cylinders and master cylinder, so I am hoping that DOT 5 was the right decision.

J Spencer

I have silicone fluid in my 51 Pacemaker. It has been in there since 1986 or 87 when I did the brake work on it for another member before I bought the car in 1988, so it has been inthere for a long time with no leaks. I do however have to attend to the front brakes as I am experincing some pull to the right.

I will check the cylinders, etc and install new hoses,-- probably still the originals as they are the ones that were on the car when I got it.

Just have to get up the ambition to do it. I have had to replace the brake light switch only once.

J Spencer

arionrjw

rbennett47 wrote:

Converted my '54 Hornet to DOT 5, with new everything except the front lines which were flushed thoroughly. Now the master and wheel cylinders are leaking. Any source for DOT 5 compatible kits for stepdowns ? Bob Bennett

I rebuilt or had rebuilt the entire brake system on my 54 Hornet including the power brake unit 4 years ago. I use DOT 3 or 4 in my system. No problems until one month ago and the master cylinder leaked and the brake fluid was pulled into the booster and than into the engine. If it had silicone or DOT 5 it could have damaged the engine.

DOT 5 is OK on all systems except a 54 with power brakes because of this potential problem.

Geoff C., N.Z.

Hey, I've been driving my Essex for 52 years, and never had to change the brake fluid, brake switch, or overhaul the water pump in over half a millikin miles! Beat that!

Geoff (tongue in cheek)

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