Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1960 ford brake lites, silicone brake fluid, silicone fluid

Question
dear sir,it seems i have to press very hard on brake pedal for stop lites to operate.i have replaced switch a few times and it continues to happen.the car is stock.i did convert system to silicone fluid.i followed all the proper procedures in doing so. mabe you can  help me. thank you

Answer
I have had the same problem with silicone brake fluid ruining stoplight switches, in fact I sent some failed switches back to the NAPA supplier (Echlin) at their suggestion to find out what the problem was. I never really got an answer, but I do find the the NAPA brand of switches seems better now - try another new one - is my only suggestion.  There is no magic here - sorry I don't have a sure cure for you.

There is one other thing you can do, and that is to mount a stoplight switch from a later car, the type that is activated mechanically by the brake pedal linkage.  You'll have to make up a bracket to mount it, but that would make a permanent cure.

Dick