Delco supreme #11 brake fluid. Can I add reg dot 3?

[Zombie541]

I got a 79 Chevy c20 350 v8 which apparently calls for delco number 11 brake fluid haha the supposed "lifetime brake fluid" lmao. What a marketing ploy! I get the additives help prevent the fluid to deteriorate as quick but to call it lifetime is just a Scam! Anyways! That little rant is over.... I did a brake job, calipers rotors pads, and in the process lost fluid. Could I add my standard dot 3 fluid I got from my local store? Fredmyers, Walmart etc. to the delco that's still in the system or do I actually need that delco? If can't add to I'm sure I could drain delco out and put my dot 3 in right? I don't really care I'm gonna add anyways just want opinions

 

[silicon]

I got a 79 Chevy c20 350 v8 which apparently calls for delco number 11 brake fluid haha the supposed "lifetime brake fluid" lmao. What a marketing ploy! I get the additives help prevent the fluid to deteriorate as quick but to call it lifetime is just a Scam! Anyways! That little rant is over.... I did a brake job, calipers rotors pads, and in the process lost fluid. Could I add my standard dot 3 fluid I got from my local store? Fredmyers, Walmart etc. to the delco that's still in the system or do I actually need that delco? If can't add to I'm sure I could drain delco out and put my dot 3 in right? I don't really care I'm gonna add anyways just want opinions

I think you are correct that Delco 11 brake fluid was more marketing hype than a better product. I would flush completely the old fluid. This can be done by opening the bleed ports on the calipers and pumping the pedal to push fluid thru the system until new fluid is coming out. You may need a helper for this job and i think its better to start at the furthest wheel from the master cylinder.

 

[RLGL]

dot 3 ,just add it

 

[Zombie541]

Lol I know how to do a brake job correctly I went to automotive school. Just never heard of this fluid and wanted opinions. I don't think I'll need to flush I think it will be fine. If I were working in a shop or charging someone else for parts n labor if flush it hell yeah. More money, labor, parts. But it's my beater 79 Chevy I'm waiting for the motor to run into the ground and then I'm gonna drop my freshly fully rebuilt engine Chevy 350 with its holly dominator carb, that I have in my garage I built myself from the inside out. From my crankshaft to my rocker arms. New everything! Boared over, forged pistions, better piston rods the works. It's amazing what u can afford on financial aid in one the othe top automotive schools

 

[Meghan54]

Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid.

Higher dry and wet boiling points than the Delco stuff......480F vs. 450F dry, 311F vs. 284F wet. (Higher numbers are Valvoline, lower numbers are Delco Supreme II.)

 

[Ferzerp]

DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 can always be added to one another without issue.

DOT 5 can be mixed with none of those.

 

[Zombie541]

Thanks for the input guys! God damn the driver side rear drum was completely seized. The caliper Pistons were completely maxed out and not returning ended up getting new pads and calipers and now I got that seized drum 90% of the way off I'm pretty sure the parking brake is stuck on and the pads are somewhat fused to the drum. it's being a goddam beotch ran out of daylight must continue tomorrow. I added dot 3 from a can that's from the 80's. No problems so far haha

 

[Zombie541]

3/4 ton 8 lug 79's drums are the one drum that I only did once in automotive school. So it took me a minute to remember that u had to take the bearings out haha

 

[bryanl]

Isn't brake fluid required by federal safety regulations to be be compatible, at least with all other brake fluids of the same class, i.e., DOT 3, DOT 4?

 

[BUTCH1]

Isn't brake fluid required by federal safety regulations to be be compatible, at least with all other brake fluids of the same class, i.e., DOT 3, DOT 4?

That's what I thought as well, that the NHSTA made them all backwards compatible so topping off with a newer fluid would not affect brake function.

 

[Free_Speech]

I got a 79 Chevy c20 350 v8 which apparently calls for delco number 11 brake fluid haha the supposed "lifetime brake fluid" lmao. What a marketing ploy! I get the additives help prevent the fluid to deteriorate as quick but to call it lifetime is just a Scam! Anyways! That little rant is over.... I did a brake job, calipers rotors pads, and in the process lost fluid. Could I add my standard dot 3 fluid I got from my local store? Fredmyers, Walmart etc. to the delco that's still in the system or do I actually need that delco? If can't add to I'm sure I could drain delco out and put my dot 3 in right? I don't really care I'm gonna add anyways just want opinions

DOT 3 will be fine.