Classic/Antique Car Repair: silicon brake fluid, british car restoration, silicone brake fluid

Question
Hello,
I've just had to replace my brake servo and the master cylinder of my 1976 TR6 and want to get your opinion on moving to silicone brake fluid?
If you've done this befor ecan you tell me what to use and how best to flush the lines of the older fluid? Thanks Russ

Answer
Hi Ross,
I have not used the silicone fluid myself, but have friends who have that are into British car restoration and I am hearing some pros and cons.

The pros say they like it because it will not eat up and melt or mar their paint. And that it is good for resisting moisture when the car sets for a long time without use.

The cons say it leaks past seals easier than the DOT 4 fluid and they sometimes have a softer peddle.

I did confirm that the silicone fluid did not eat the paint and have read that it does resist moisture collecting in the system but could not confirm the leakage as I felt their seals/cylinders may not be in the best condition and I don't know for sure if they had all of the air out or brake flexing to give them a soft peddle.

I have been a line mechanic in several MG, Triumph and Jaguar dealerships and have had my own shop where I specialized in British cars and have seen how distructive brake fluid can be to paint. I have restored several British cars for my own use but none to "Show Car" class so the long term distruction of the paint around the mastercylinder was never a high priority to me. However, I am presently building a "Show Car Class" car and am considering using silicone fluid.

My final recomendation would be, if you are building a "Show Car", use silicone fluid but if it is just a driver, just be careful with the fluid and use DOT 4 and don't even stand near DOT 3.

Howard