Best brake fluid for Chevy 350? March 18, 2003, 06:33:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 19992The title pretty much says it. I'll be de-winterizing Gertie soon, and I want to have the brake fluid changed, as has been recommended here and elsewhere. But I haven't a clue what to ask for--and if I say "gimme the good stuff," they'll probably just dump in whatever was sitting on the dusty back shelf. ;-) So can somebody tell me *specifically* what brake fluid brand, type and specifications I should be demanding for a 1984 Chevy 350 c.i.d. V-8 chassis?Andy Baird :-)
Re: Best brake fluid for Chevy 350? Reply #1 – March 18, 2003, 08:17:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 19999Andy, Both of the technical column writers from Motor Home Magazine recommend Ford brake fluid. Ken Freund calss it Heavy Duty (or Super Duty) DOT 3 brake fluid and Wes Caughlin calls it Ford High Performance DOT 3 brake fluid. BOth say to use it regardless of what vehicle it is due to its very high dry boiling point. The wet boiling point does drop considerably because like most that have high dry boiling points it is more hygroscopic than those with lower dry boiling points. That's another reason to change it every 2 years. Most racers use the Ford fluid and change it every race. The Ford name & part # in my E450 manual is High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid, p/n: C6AZ-19542-AB, so Wes had it right and he even had the correct p/n in one of the columns I read and put in my Pagekeeper database.There are several web sites that compare different brake fluids for both dry and wet boiling points. You can find some links to them in the RV.net forum thread " How often do you change your brake fluid? Should you? and why?". It makes interesting reading as well and there are links to many sites that show why it is a good idea (none from those that think it's a waste of money and say it isn't needed to support their views). http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/CFB/1/TID/492326. cfmMikePS: I did start replying to this earlier and then got an hourglass and the screen went back to the original reply screen without my post. I hope it didn't actually post while I was in the middle of it! If it did this post is worded slightly different due to that.
Re: Best brake fluid for Chevy 350? Reply #2 – March 18, 2003, 08:18:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20000Advice on cheap high temp fluid:Option 1: Ford heavy duty DOT 3 fluid. Very high boiling point (despite conservative DOT3 label), low moisture absorption, and under $6 for 16 oz at Ford dealers. You can spend big $$$ on really high temp stuff, but these supposedly absorb moisture even faster, *requiring* you to change a few times per year. Option 2: From Pep Boys etc: Valvoline Synpower synthetic DOT3 & DOT 4 compatible (mixes fine with regular brake fluid unlike most synthetics). High boiling point, good stuff. About brake fluid: DOT 3 , It's the normal stuff available
What brake fade is (was Best brake fluid for Chevy 350?) Reply #3 – March 18, 2003, 08:23:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20001From a Nissan Performance web site:Brake fade is a dangerous situation when after braking hard several times
Re: Best brake fluid for Chevy 350? Reply #4 – March 19, 2003, 06:35:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20042AndyThe Ford HD Dot 3 is excellent stuff but does absorb water quicker than Castrol LMA (Low Moisture Activity), which is my favorite. Either way, regular changes would help prevent brake fade and the damage that rust can cause to your brake system.Changing the fluid is not an overly technical exercise. An inexpensive "Mighty Vac" vacuum pump kit and a turkey baster are the only tools needed. The fluid is less than $10, no matter which brand you use. It should take less than 30 minutes, once you know what you are doingAnother point for you and others to consider is to always request a fluid change when having brake work done. Most mechanics do not flush the system unless the calipers or brake cylinders have been worked on. You cannot believe the gunk that can come out of a brake system that is only a few years old.A few years ago, a vendor was trying to sell use a power brake flushing machine. He told us that brake fluid sometimes is already contaminated with water in near new vehicles. We bought a Brake Fluid Refractometer and tested a good portion of our fleet. It was amazing how quickly brake fluid absorbed water. It only takes a 2-4% water contamination to significantly reduce the boiling point. If this tool were cheaper (they cost about $300), I would recommend buying one.Larry
Re: Best brake fluid for Chevy 350? Reply #5 – March 19, 2003, 06:59:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20046Many thanks to all who replied. The breadth and depth of knowledge in this site continues to amaze me, and I'm eternally grateful for what I've learned and continue to learn here!Andy Baird :-)
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Topic: Best brake fluid for Chevy 350? (Read 4 times)
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