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Stinky

Stinky

Jedi Trainee
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Hi,
I'm a Newbie here. First off, I must say this is the best and most complete online Bulliten Board I've ever seen! I participate in a few other Forums (Work Related) and they are sad compared to this place!

I'm in the process of purchasing a TR6,...the car should arrive in a few weeks. I'm sure I'll have many questions in the future as this is my first Triumph.

My first question is concerning Brake Fluid. I've read where the Fluid should be changed yearly. Is that correct? How involved is it to convert the system over to a fluid that would not require that yearly fluid change?

I believe the seller told me the car currently has DOT 4 in it (not positive about that) It's a 1971 if that helps.

I'll do my best to not be a lurker /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks to all!!
 
Welcome to our humble forum, er, um, "Stinky" (I'm afraid to ask) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

The TR6 is a great car! I often wish I had a 6 instead of my Spitfire (not that the Spitfire's a bad car mind you). Anyway, I'm sure you will get lots of help here. When you say the car should arrive in a few weeks- did you buy it out of state or?

Basil
 
Welcome to the forum!! Congratulations on the first LBC purchase, hope that she'll be good to you.

Regarding the brake fluid, I think that a yearly change is a little over-zealous, and that you should be fine with every couple of years. In addition, whereas DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluids can be mixed, synthetic fluid is not compatible with those two, and you will need to renew all of the rubber and seals before using it. Far less work to just bleed your brakes every couple of years.
 
Welcome to the party Stinky! I'm sure you'll have fun here.

Congratulations on the "new" TR6. Great cars, always loved them.


PC.
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(On the brake fluid thing, here's the short version: there are two types of fluids, glycol based such as DOT3 and DOT4 and silicone based, DOT5. Glycol based fluids should be changed regularly. Silicones don't require frequent changes. Each type has its supporters and critics. It's one of those issues that will probably be debated forever. There have been many excellent discussions on the topic here on BCF. Try using the SEARCH feature. you'll find lots of good info.)
 
W E L C O M E Stinky! Great to have another potential TR6 caretaker out there. Like most things auto, there are differing opinions, so I'll just share mine. I converted from glycol (DOT 3) to silicone (DOT 5) because I don't race/autox my car and I want to preserve the paint. If you don't plan on that, stay with glycol. If you wish to convert, buy a gallon of denatured alcohol (ethanol) from Home Depot/Lowe's and run it through your brake system as a flush. Assuming your MC, wheel cylinders & calipers are in good condition, you won't have to mess with renewing the rubber seals in them. Then bleed with the purple silicone fluid.

No brake fluid gets you out of the periodic flushing routine as moisture will get into any hydraulic system. With silicone, the moisture simply pools in low points and can corrode the piping, whereas it's dissolved in glycol and dispersed throughout the hydraulics. I renew my silicone on a 3-year schedule because of this. If you are unusually thrifty, you can recycle the silicone that you bleed as the water forms an immiscible layer.

Good luck, and keep posting with your progress.

Rick O.
72 TR6
 
Welcome aboard, Stinky.
Triumph recommended Castrol Girling LMA brake fluid, DOT 4, which is readily available, or any other good DOT 4 fluid. That's what I run in all my street cars. I change it maybe every two years or so, but I don't think that's required.
DOT 3 may eat the seals in the brake system. The best bet is just to follow whatever the owners manual or service manual tells you.
Have fun and enjoy the ride!
Jeff
 
Yes the car is coming from out of state. I'm in Maryland. I've been looking for a car from the Deep South, or West Coast in an attempt to avoid as much Rust as possible.
Ofcourse I was kinda picky, and wanted a car between 1969, and 1972,...with Overdrive.

Finally found a good one in Texas.

I'm having some work done on the thing before go and pick it up. I want to pick it up and drive it,...not pick it up and work on it. So we have a guy that's gonna go over the car and basically fix anything it needs. If all goes well, I'll fly to Texas and drive the car home. WoooooHoooooo!
 
Here's a pic of the Hot Rod

Hope this works......

I guess you'll have to click above where it says "Attachment"
 

Attachments

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[ QUOTE ]
...I'm having some work done on the thing before go and pick it up. I want to pick it up and drive it...

[/ QUOTE ]

Good for you -- every TR drive is a pleasure (and a possible adventure). Nice looking 6, I don't think I've seen a louvered bonnet on one before (seen several TR3s with these).

Lotsa luck sorting out the brake fluid debate. Personally, I use the DOT5 (to protect the paint) w/o any problems but can also see merit in the various arguments for 3 & 4.
 
Welcome Stinky! Nice looking 6 with cool wheels and trick hood.
I just talked to a guy who drove his MGB from Texas to NJ last week. He said it was a long but easy drive. Be sure to bring along a cell phone and a credit card just in case (you never know!).
G'luck!
 
Stinky,
In 5 years/15000 miles with my Spitfire, I changed out the Casrol LMA immediately, but as maintenance just like my motorcycle, annually I swap out only 2/3 pumps at each brake cylinder to get out any overheated fluid and get fresh fluid into the calipers. So far, so good. Nice TR6! Picked one up a few months ago,my first. So far it's a love/hate relationship. Maybe tho, it's just the comfort/knowledge level with the Spit?! Enjoy!!
Steve
 
Welcome aboard Stinky. Are you really stinky? and if so why proclaim it to the world, afterall we can't smell you. Hope you enjoy the forum.
 
The other names I tried to use were already taken,...

I figured nobody else would be silly enough to use Stinky /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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