Edit... Resto mod FIRST DRIVE

[SoFlaFiat]

When it leaks... Put thicker oil in it

[toplessexpat]

I told you... Sawdust in the transmission ... works every time

[SoFlaFiat]

good plan Andy!!

Ok, got the other side cleaned up



and then, since I had the red paint in hand...

[Redline]

You even painted your working stool!

[SoFlaFiat]

Not sure how good a job I did on the stool...

[btoran]

this is the last forum i would expect to see stool samples.

[SoFlaFiat]

oh boy, wish I'd gotten something done today to change the subject...

[narfire]

OK I'll get back on topic...maybe... Do you spray the parts with clear coat after the red dries? Does it change the colour/shade at all?

I've painted parts "aluminium" and when cleared it goes to a pewter colour.

[SoFlaFiat]

Chris,
These last bits I have painted red will see some heat so I have been using VHT red caliper paint. It seems to work well as it is a thick paint and therefore fills imperfections. It dries fairly glossy so I have not used any clear over it. I think VHT makes a high heat clear if it's needed. I have thought to try it on aluminum bits with no color under, in an effort to seal but not change the appearance drastically. I do like the way the raw cast aluminum looks. It's just not easy to keep looking nice, as we all know.
I have had pretty good luck with Eastwood "Alumiblast" for making things look more like aluminum.
Another Eastwood product I find amazing is their "brake grey". It is fast drying, brake fluid resistant (we will see) and leaves a nice color. I taped off and painted my master cylinder and brake rotors with this in the hopes that those bits don't rust right away.
And thanks for getting us back on topic

B, never fear, I love a bad joke too!

[spider2081]

Have you considered converting to Silicone DOT 5 brake fluid ??? It does not damage paint and I think you can convert your car because you do not have fluid in the system now. I believe if a car has ABS braking system you can not change from Dot 3 or 4 to 5 but Spiders don't have ABS.

[ScotcH]

Have you considered converting to Silicone DOT 5 brake fluid ??? It does not damage paint and I think you can convert your car because you do not have fluid in the system now. I believe if a car has ABS braking system you can not change from Dot 3 or 4 to 5 but Spiders don't have ABS.

Don't do it. DOT 5 fluid is crap ... it's more compressible that 3,4, or 5.1, and the spider does not need a mushier pedal!

[SoFlaFiat]

I now know more about brake fluid than ever before! Thanks!!

This from StopTech:
The original DOT 5 fluid specification was expected to be fulfilled by silicone based (SSBF) composition. It was designed for use in applications where its resistance to water absorption (and therefore low corrosion) was desired - like in military equipment. It has also found use in antique cars because it does not dissolve paint finishes. With SSBF, unfortunately, these characteristics were only achieved by unacceptably high compressibility. As such, the DOT 5 grade SSBF is of little value to any conventional automotive or high performance application.

So, I would seem 5 is not the right idea for this car.

Now the question is, 3 or 4?
4 has a higher boiling point but I read in several places that the rubber brake components need to be designed to handle the chemical composition of 4 and that if your system was designed to use 3, stick with it...
Thoughts?

[njoconnor]

I'd like to hear some recc's on this as well. Bought some new DOT 4 and some DOT 3 for two different brake jobs coming up. DOT 4 for the 72, since I'm replacing the flexible brake lines. DOT 3 for the Dakota, "just in case": only swapping out the front pads/rotors, so I *shouldn't* need it, but I'd rather have some on hand. If DOT 4 is a Bad Idea (tm) for the Fiat, I'd rather know before I start the work.

Alan, your car...and skills...are just amazing.

Neil

[spider2081]

I wasn't thinking about the added compressibility, I know a local hot rod shop here swears by it for his cars and motorcycles.
I agree anything that increases pedal travel on our cars is not good.

Here is a pretty comprehensive comparison of DOT brake fluids. I found it interesting. Course if its on the internet it must be true.

http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technica ... /Fluid.htm

I might have misinterpreted the information but I think the results are where DOT 5 compressibility becomes a big issue is at or above temperatures where DOT 3 or 4 cause vapor lock.

[SoFlaFiat]

Thank you Neil!! Very often I am sure that I am going way way overboard on this thing but then someone calls it amazing and it makes me proud.
2081, you ave given great advise in the past so I will continue reading and learning more about brake fluid!! Thank you!
So, talking about overboard, I finished replacing gaskets and cleaning the transmission. I Installed a new throw out bearing and now can't find my return spring...
I must have 3 around this messy garage somewhere...