MGBGT restoration

[Terry Bond]

Progressing well-hope to get some pics posted of our progress but I have a question about brake fluid. I am considering using synthetic fluid after hearing a couple of people tell about how their new paint was ruined by fluid leaks caused by the standard fluid. Im working on brake lines etc at the moment and am wondering about the conversion process. The M/Cyl is one that came from another car and is in perfect working order, just looked ugly, so its had a cosmetic overhaul. Should I install a new "kit" before using the synthetic fluid or just drain it and put in the synthetic fluid? Any experience/advice appreciated.

Terry

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Hi, Terry...

I was thinking about switching the TR6 to synthetic, especially, after the seminar about 2 years ago in Philly. The presenter was 110% confident with the benefits of synthetic, citing his Mustangs all had it.

May want to do a search?

Hit "Search" in the header

--(left column) hit "AACA Technical Questions"

--Keyword

"synthetic brake fluid"

(In subject)

--Username (leave blank)

--Date Range:

Newer than "5 Years"

Older than "1 Week"

--hit Submit

There are quite a few discussions on synthetic. Most quite positive.

Regards,

Peter J. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Dave@Moon]

Terry,

Instead of "synthetic" in searching the forum you'd be better served to use the term "silicone". People much more commonly refer to the purple stuff as "Silicone brake fluid".

My TR6 has had the purple stuff in it for 12 years now (mainly little used in storage) with no leaks or ill effects at all.

[Terry Bond]

Silicone it is -and thanks for the recommendation. I was sure it had been covered before in some discussion but couldnt remember exactly where. How well did you guys clean the old system prior to using the silicone? Im reusing most of my brake lines as they were all very nice, just needed some cleaning and a coat of stainless steel paint to make them look good. Ive been blowing them out clean with compressed air.

Terry

[Dave@Moon]

My car came with it and I've never converted one to the other, but I understand it isn't too terrible a process. I think you'll get a better response to a generic question like this in the AACA Tech forum.

[mrpushbutton]

Terry--go with the silicone fluid, you will be happy. Get a new kit for the MC and all four wheel cylinders. Wash off the cosmoline-goo off of the rubber parts with denatured alcohol, and laquer thinner for the metal parts. Coat the new parts with a film of DOT-5 silicone (this advice works for any brake job, clean the parts and coat with the type of fluid you are using in the service brake system). When you go to bleed, I find that the old fashoned (but slower) method of having someone in the driver's seat, pumping and holding works best. They have to pump the pedal up SLOWLY AND SMOOTHLY--not the rapid pumpa-pumpa-pumpa like you used to do with DOT-3. Slow gets it. Bleed out all the air, use it for a couple of days, then re-bleed. I wouldn't do brakes any other way now.

[rogers_abbott]

I don't think you can go wrong with DOT-5 Silicone. I have used silicone brake fluid for at least 20 years in various vehicles. The main advantage is that it does not absorb water and ruin your seals and cylinders. The main drawback is that it does not work well if regular brake fluid was present in the system. I replace all rubber lines. The ones I did not replace swelled up from the inside and eventually would not allow fluid to pass. I don't know if the blame lies with silocone or some other factor. When I redo a system that has had regular brake fluid in it, I flush it with denatured alcohol before I start rebuilding. That cleans out the steel lines without contaminating the rebuilt components and new rubber lines.

I agree with Mr. Pushbutton's comments with bleading. I have noticed that it may take several months before the fluid level stabilizes. Unless there are visible leaks, just keep adding fluid.

I think the GT model of MGB is one of the best looking sports cars around.

[Terry Bond]

Thought Id provide an update on progress-we actually had a very successful run to MG2006 in Gatlinburg Tn with it. We were up till 11:30 the night before leaving putting seats, belts, etc in and getting it all set to go. We left home with a bit less than 50 miles on it and put another 1000 on it including some great mountain roads. Rt 58 out in the western part of VA has some perfect MG roads. We were straightening out the 15mph switchbacks at 35-40 and the LBC handled perfectly. The entire trip was like in a new car. Very tight and peppy. Shifted like new once I figured out how to drive a stick again (the Model T uses pedals). Glad I left the sunroof in as it was pretty hot. MG2006 was a great week and a highlight for us was the chance to meet Don Hayder who was the design engineer on the MGB. He came over from England and was a joy to talk with about his time at Abingdon. There were over 1200 MGs on the showfield on Friday and the roads around Gatlinburg were filled with MGs of all description. Sue ran her BGT through the infamous "Tail of the Dragon" and got the T-shirt and photo to prove it. We made it home safely in driving rains, and aside from some leaks, we're pleased to have our new MGBGT on the road. Oh- the DOT 5 fluid works quite well. We fussed with bleading the brakes and adjusting rear shoes and finally got a pretty good pedal. Surviving the mountain roads was proof enough for me that the DOT 5 is going to be just fine.

Safety-fast!

Terry

[rogers_abbott]

Enjoyed your report on MG2006. Obviously, your switch to silicone brake fluid worked well, mountain roads and all. You won't regret it, especially 20 years from now.