What fluid for top/window cylinders?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Stupid question......what fluid do you buy for the hydraulic system? I have some SAE 30 Hydraulic oil on the shelf. Should that do? The stuff that came out of the system was sort of yellow and nasty. The new 30 weight I have is clear.



Just want to be sure what to use....someone let me know.



Thanks

Comments

  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    dennis, origional is brake fluid (which should scare you). a suitable and friendlier alternative is atf fluid. its cheap readily available and wont strip the car down to bare metal if you develop a leak.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Are you serious? Brake fluid? ATF sounds fine, but I wonder why I just cannot use hydro fluid..... Thanks for the response
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    The one thing NOT to use is silicone brake fluid. No lubricating qualities ... will ruin the pump.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    My 49 conv had brake fluid .. When it leaked in the rocker area it was repaint time.

    Davew
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Have Been Using Gm Atf For Years .is In 7 Of My Converts. The Only Way To Go Bill Albright
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Dennis in NY wrote:
    Are you serious? Brake fluid? ATF sounds fine, but I wonder why I just cannot use hydro fluid..... Thanks for the response



    Since power steering pumps and automatic transmissions are hydraulic apparatus, ATF is a hydraulic fluid. Find for a PS or convertible top pump. Been using it in a 66 Eldorado for years.
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    Dennis in NY wrote:
    Are you serious? Brake fluid? ATF sounds fine, but I wonder why I just cannot use hydro fluid..... Thanks for the response
    dennis your hyd fluid would most likely be fine. atf is a commonly used as it is low cost, paint friendly and readilly available even get it at the grocery store.
    brake fluid was probably origionally used due to the quanities already used by the manufacturers when they added hydraulic tops in the 40's while atf was a newly developed product (not even used by hudson until 51). as a note the origional "power steering fluid" was atf which was quite common in the factories by 52 an the arrival of power steeriing to many cars though not hudson until 54.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Had one cracked fitting, but four quarts of cheap ATF fluid later, all is fine.... The new cylinders from Hyrdo Elecrtric work about 5 times faster than the old ones.



    Thanks



    DC
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Dennis in NY wrote:
    Had one cracked fitting, but four quarts of cheap ATF fluid later, all is fine.... The new cylinders from Hyrdo Elecrtric work about 5 times faster than the old ones.



    Thanks



    DC



    Fantastic! :D And BTW, no such thing as a stupid question here. The only thing stupid would be to not ask the question. Good luck with your car.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Dave53-7C wrote:
    Fantastic! :D And BTW, no such thing as a stupid question here. The only thing stupid would be to not ask the question. Good luck with your car.



    Well, here's another question? I have a basic Super Six, 48. What kind of hydrolic system are you guys talking about? A system to open and close windows? Conv top?



    I've thought about electric windows as a possibility. Are there kits, or compatible modern systems? I'm already 12volt.



    -Chris
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    we've run atf in all sorts of hydraulic systems. loading ramps, drill rigs and used it to lube compressors. its easier to see if you have a leak than regular 46/68 hydraulic oil too
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    usgrant7 wrote:
    Well, here's another question? I have a basic Super Six, 48. What kind of hydrolic system are you guys talking about? A system to open and close windows? Conv top?



    I've thought about electric windows as a possibility. Are there kits, or compatible modern systems? I'm already 12volt.



    -Chris



    Chris,

    They are talking about a step down Convertible. The Conv. had a hydraulic pump to raise and lower the top. In Commodore Conv, and later Hornet conv., Power windows were offered. They used the same top pump and reservoir to raise the window. A large spring pulled the window down when the valve was opened and the pump not running. A fairly simple system. GM as well as Lincoln used the same/similar system. I have heard of , but never seen, power windows in some closed body styles in the stepdowns. No reason why it couldn't be done. Seems like a natural for Hollywoods. In these modern times, electric window lifts would be my choice rather than the expensive hydraulic system. Bill Albright has done this and says he used "FORD" parts to accomplish it.



    Years ago, there were conversion kits to convert manual windows to power. They mounted in place of the window crank. Had a small motor and gear box. They were absolute JUNK. I used a few sets when converting cargo vans to luxury vans 20 years ago. I had to replace all of them with the original handles .There are some good systems offered and can be found through street rod sources, and they might be easily adapted.

    Davew
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Ah, old technology. Very cool.



    I was thinking of at least doing the passanger window. Today, I roll down the window before driving so I can say Hi to people. :)



    -Chris
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    usgrant7 wrote:
    Ah, old technology. Very cool.



    I was thinking of at least doing the passanger window. Today, I roll down the window before driving so I can say Hi to people. :)



    -Chris



    Ah, make life easy on yourself, just wave or learn to sign. :D
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