The Ford Barn

fudggj · 09-04-2011, 10:25 AM

I have a 1950 Ford convertible with an original pump and fluid. I believe the fluid is conventional DOT 3 brake fluid; nasty and corrosive stuff if spilled on paint. Has anyone tried to replace the DOT 3 fluid with silicone brake fluid or some other fluid? Thanks for any advice.

19Fordy · 09-04-2011, 11:10 AM

These folks will know. http://www.hydroe.com/

rotorwrench · 09-04-2011, 11:33 AM

There is another thread on here about this subject. If it is original and still works, you'd better stay with DOT 3. The OEM seals can take nothing else. If you get new or overhauled components, you can then switch to more modern oil. Hydro-E-Lectric will be a big help with advice and parts in the future.

Kerby

paul2748 · 09-04-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fudggj

I have a 1950 Ford convertible with an original pump and fluid. I believe the fluid is conventional DOT 3 brake fluid; nasty and corrosive stuff if spilled on paint. Has anyone tried to replace the DOT 3 fluid with silicone brake fluid or some other fluid? Thanks for any advice.

I use trans fluid. Or you can go with silicone - it won't screw up the paint if it leaks.

Frank Miller · 09-04-2011, 08:42 PM

I think if you can get everything cleaned out transmission fluid will be ok. I would not use silicone because it leaks easier is not compatible with DOT3 and is expensive.

Russ/40 · 09-04-2011, 09:29 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

ATF works great.

barryfromvictoria · 09-05-2011, 02:06 AM

fudggi ----i researched this 25 yrs ago on a 46 ford. the pump gears are lubricated by the fluid and silicone might eventually burn out the pump as it doesn`t have the lubricating quality of dot 3. the atf will eat the old seals as roto wrench said. so i would go with the original dot 3 fluid. the 46 that i did had been sitting for 20yrs and the dot 3 had turned to a gel . i cleaned the pump and got it working. you can`t take the cylinders apart and repros didn`t look anything like the originals i kept running dot 3 through the system till i was sure all the old fluid and gel was gone and the top went up and down like it should. the owner has never had a problem with it

fudggj · 09-05-2011, 07:12 AM

Thanks for all replies. I believe I will just try staying with the DOT 3 for the present since all is working well. However, since the DOT 3 is very hygroscopic (absorbs water readily) I would at least like to replace the old fluid wit some new. It is likely that it has never been changed and could be saturated with water.
Any ideas on how to purge the system of the old fluid and replace with it new fluid?

Vic Piano · 09-05-2011, 08:48 AM

I use ATF in our Convertible top motors.

Russ/40 · 09-05-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fudggj

Thanks for all replies. I believe I will just try staying with the DOT 3 for the present since all is working well. However, since the DOT 3 is very hygroscopic (absorbs water readily) I would at least like to replace the old fluid wit some new. It is likely that it has never been changed and could be saturated with water.
Any ideas on how to purge the system of the old fluid and replace with it new fluid?

BIG mistake! Do something now before you get damage. DOT3 is the worst thing to use. That stuff will gunk up a system. Finding a pump that is not damaged by DOT3 is a difficult thing to do. If the shaft seal leaks with ATF, replace it. Flush everything with alcohol before changing to ATF.
Listen to Vic, he's the ragtop man, he knows.

Also, the ATF will soften and swell the piston seals a bit and actually improve function. I was able to rescue my old cylinders by flushing thoroughly with ATF.

Jack E/NJ · 09-05-2011, 11:11 AM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...atured+alcohol

Jack E/NJ

paul2748 · 09-05-2011, 08:10 PM

He's right - big mistake with Dot 3. Go ATF. Just think NEW PAINT JOB if a seal or line goes.

09-04-2011, 10:25 AM	#1
fudggj Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 16	1950 Convertible pump fluid? I have a 1950 Ford convertible with an original pump and fluid. I believe the fluid is conventional DOT 3 brake fluid; nasty and corrosive stuff if spilled on paint. Has anyone tried to replace the DOT 3 fluid with silicone brake fluid or some other fluid? Thanks for any advice.

09-04-2011, 11:10 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,936	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? These folks will know. http://www.hydroe.com/

09-04-2011, 11:33 AM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? There is another thread on here about this subject. If it is original and still works, you'd better stay with DOT 3. The OEM seals can take nothing else. If you get new or overhauled components, you can then switch to more modern oil. Hydro-E-Lectric will be a big help with advice and parts in the future. Kerby

09-04-2011, 08:42 PM	#5
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? I think if you can get everything cleaned out transmission fluid will be ok. I would not use silicone because it leaks easier is not compatible with DOT3 and is expensive. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

09-04-2011, 09:29 PM	#6
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) ATF works great.

09-05-2011, 02:06 AM	#7
barryfromvictoria Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 220	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? fudggi ----i researched this 25 yrs ago on a 46 ford. the pump gears are lubricated by the fluid and silicone might eventually burn out the pump as it doesn`t have the lubricating quality of dot 3. the atf will eat the old seals as roto wrench said. so i would go with the original dot 3 fluid. the 46 that i did had been sitting for 20yrs and the dot 3 had turned to a gel . i cleaned the pump and got it working. you can`t take the cylinders apart and repros didn`t look anything like the originals i kept running dot 3 through the system till i was sure all the old fluid and gel was gone and the top went up and down like it should. the owner has never had a problem with it

09-05-2011, 07:12 AM	#8
fudggj Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 16	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? Thanks for all replies. I believe I will just try staying with the DOT 3 for the present since all is working well. However, since the DOT 3 is very hygroscopic (absorbs water readily) I would at least like to replace the old fluid wit some new. It is likely that it has never been changed and could be saturated with water. Any ideas on how to purge the system of the old fluid and replace with it new fluid?

09-05-2011, 08:48 AM	#9
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? I use ATF in our Convertible top motors. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

09-05-2011, 11:11 AM	#11
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...atured+alcohol Jack E/NJ

09-05-2011, 08:10 PM	#12
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,981	Re: 1950 Convertible pump fluid? He's right - big mistake with Dot 3. Go ATF. Just think NEW PAINT JOB if a seal or line goes.