58 Brake Fluid

[Brad H.]

How much does it take to due your system, am changing to Silicone with new Master Cylinder, can I unscrew all lines then let drain out then use Denatured alcohol to clean all lines then blow out then install new cylinder, pour into open lines till flowing out all lines well, tighten then proceed to bleed, or what is the best procedure for this, am installing original front drum brakes on from discs. Thanks, Brad.

[Terry M.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

How much does it take to due your system, am changing to Silicone with new Master Cylinder, can I unscrew all lines then let drain out then use Denatured alcohol to clean all lines then blow out then install new cylinder, pour into open lines till flowing out all lines well, tighten then proceed to bleed, or what is the best procedure for this, am installing original front drum brakes on from discs. Thanks, Brad.

That is exactly what I did with my 1970, and I have had no issues with DOT 5 in over 30 years. Be sure to bench bleed the master cylinder. I used about a quart on my 1970, and I would think you would need slightly less for drum brakes with a single reservoir master cylinder, but if you do not get all the air out of the lines (I used gravity bleeding over about 12 hours -- DOT 5 moves slow) you will need more fluid to bleed the system.

[Duke W.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

You should disassemble the MC, clean it with denatured alcohol and reassemble with the silicone fluid. Do the same with the wheel cylinders, and in the process you may find corrosion, so they may need to be rebuilt or replaced.

It's best to remove every last molecule of the glycol fluid.

If you do it right, the system should never corrode.

Duke

[John F.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

I did exactly what Duke said above on my 62. No problems.

John F

[Brad H.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

I believe master was done on bench for the silicone, when I bought it he said he would set it up for silicone, if not what is bench bleeding, also wheel cylinders (front are new) what to do to those, am putting on new backing plates with all new stuff thanmks again all, Brad.

[John H.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

what is bench bleeding

Brad -

Bench-bleeding is where you run a line from the output fitting back into the reservoir, below fluid level, and stroke the piston until the fluid exiting the line is free of bubbles; that gets the trapped air out of the cylinder bore. Photo below is my '67, but it will show you the idea.

[Duke W.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

I believe master was done on bench for the silicone, when I bought it he said he would set it up for silicone, if not what is bench bleeding, also wheel cylinders (front are new) what to do to those, am putting on new backing plates with all new stuff thanmks again all, Brad.

You believe...?

It sounds like the MC and wheel cylinders are off the car, or if not, it's easy to take them off.

If it were me, I'd make absolutely, positively sure that all the active hydraulic components are like new and don't have a trace of DOT 3/4 fluid. Rebuild or buy new as necessary.

And then there are the brake pipes, which I believe you understand need to be flushed with denatured alcohol then completely dried.

If you buy new wheel cylinders it's not much work to disassemble them, clean them with denatured alcohol to remove all the glycol fluid and assemble them with DOT 5.

Buy new brake hoses and flush them too, because the ends are usually swagged on with DOT 3 as a lubricant.

That's what I'd do and what I recommend to others to ensure the best long term results of the job. Do what is necessary to remove every single last molecule of glycol fluid.

Duke

[Brad H.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

Yes, MC is original rebuilt and off the car, front wheel cylinders are new and now part of the backing plate with shoes etc. all attached, must I take them off and take apart and clean and do they get proper lube when bleeding the whole system? also I have new brake lines for front not isnstalled yet, what needs to be done to back brakes which are only 10 years old but never had them apart? Thanks, Brad.

[John F.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

You need to take the rear wheel cylinders apart and clean with denatured alcohol. Then lube the inside with DOT-5 if that is what you are using in the system. If ten years on the rear brakes are a lot of miles, I would replace the shoes.

[Brad H.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

John, procedure for lube of the cylinders and is this what is done for the new fronts? Brad.

[Brad H.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

Is it true you can hook the entire brake system up then drain M.C. that is allready in car then use this as your resovoir for your denatured alcohol flush the entire system blow it out(does clean the brake cylinders) then install new M.C. and then install new dot 5 run it thru and bleed, am getting mixed reports, my 54 was done this way and is fine? Thanks, Brad.

[Terry M.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

Is it true you can hook the entire brake system up then drain M.C. that is allready in car then use this as your resovoir for your denatured alcohol flush the entire system blow it out(does clean the brake cylinders) then install new M.C. and then install new dot 5 run it thru and bleed, am getting mixed reports, my 54 was done this way and is fine? Thanks, Brad.

Yes Brad, I think you can do it the way you suggest, and your experience with your 54 would back that up. But that is not as good as disassembly and cleaning the wheel cylinders and master cylinder after the alcohol flush.

[John F.]

Re: 58 Brake Fluid

I agree with Terry.

John F