<VV> Corvair Master cylinder

[Bill Elliott]

There are loads and loads off reasons not to use it (though many people 
use it successfully). It's optimal for a trailer queen, but suboptimal 
for a driver. The two attributes that cause issues are its 
compressibility (low pedal, sometimes no pedal, poor feel and 
modulation) and its inability to absorb water (while it does not attract 
water, any water that does find its way into the system will pool at the 
cylinders and flash quickly to steam under only moderate heat... see "no 
pedal" above)

Anyone that does use it for a driver should VERY carefully keep the 
shoes adjusted (with the compressibility you have very little safety 
margin on the system volume) and at least bleed the system every couple 
of years. However, as I said, many Corvair drivers use it successfully 
but many others have had serious issues.

IMO a much better option for drivers are the fully synthetic DOT 3/4 
glycol compatibles fluids (DOT 5.1 though you won't see them marked like 
that due to confusion)... temperature handling as good or better than 
DOT 5 silicone, no compressibility, low moisture absorption, and less 
paint damage than DOT 3/4)

For trailer queens/Sunday drivers, the brake wear and moisture entry are 
less of an issue and there most people feel the silicone advantages 
outweigh the negatives.

Bill

D. Barry Ellison wrote:

>But Seth... why wouldn't they use it?  
> 
>I've heard that as well, and I see no reason not to.  I have it in my black car, and I drove it every day the last two weeks (although it sat for 4 months).  I will have it in the black car in July at Indy I hope if fuel prices don't double again.  The fluid ain't 'changing to be changing'.Barry in SC > But as of late, I don't know any racers who will use it in a > car THEY have to drive (humor). Of course, racers may change fluid, or bleed > it, more often than the normal driver.
>
>  
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