Triumph Repair: brake and clutch fluid change, ford 9n, clutch fluid

Question
Hi Jim, I love reading your tips on all experts everyday it has saved me so much time and money so far..

Question I have a spitfire 1972 mk4 it has sat for over 15years. I just open up the clutch and brake fluid caps. and all I can say it that it looks horrible like muddy gray kind of but they do work fine. I have never heard of this but can clutch fluid and brake fluid be changed?. I believe when I do my rear and front brakes later this week I can just bleed them until I get clean fluid am I correct?

as for the clutch I have never even done anything like this do you have to bleed it? also pump it up and get the air out? or can I suck it out some how? or should I just leave it alone because it works fine? can you let me know how you would go about doing it..

also at the auto parts store they sell a 3dot/4dot fluid for brakes synthetic fluid will this ok in my car for brakes?  I believe its made by valvoline. I did find the sae 90 weight oil for my Manuel Trans at a marine supply store for those of you that have been looking and cannot find it:)

Thanks Mark  

Answer
Mark,

Yes, as the hydraulic seals age they release bits of the seal material into the fluid.  You're correct in that you can bleed the old fluid out.  Start at the farthest corner from the master (right rear on a left hand drive car) and work back towards the left front.

Bleeding the clutch is a piece of cake if you remove the transmission cover.  Unfortunately that normally requires removing the seats and dash support too.  Some people pull up the carpet in the drivers footwell and cut a flap into the cover, the clutch slave is right alongside the throttle pedal.

For used components I prefer the Castrol LMA fluid.  Pep Boys normally carries it, and I'm sure there are other auto stores too.  

Another good source for GL-4 gear oil is a farm supply store... my old Ford 9N uses 5 gallons per fill up.


Cheers,

Jim