Top Hydraulic Pump Restoration

Q: Top Hydraulic Pump Restoration

I am currently in progress of restoring the pump for my 1968 Convertable top. I have the pump back in great working order, and was wondering if anyone knows if it takes a certain hydraulic fluid, or if regular will work? Is there a recommended way to flush and fill the system when I go to put the pump back on?

A: If I remember right, the Fisher Body Service Manual says to use Dextron II Automatic Transmission Fluid. This manual is available at most Firebird parts companies.

As a side note, my system had brake fluid in it when I bought it, I had to change a cylinder once and didn’t want to flush and refill the system so I left it with brake fluid and it works fine. I hope there aren’t any long term affects to doing this.

A: Dont use brake fluid in place of any other fluid i.e. ATF or hydraulic fluid, it will attack the rubber and break it down. Use brake fluid only in brake systems!

A: I have been through this two different times, one time wrong, one time right. DO NOT USE STANDARD HYDRAULIC FLUID because it foams and is too viscous. It will burn out your pump motor! Use hydraulic jack fluid ( floor jacks etc.) that you will find in auto parts shops. I recommend that you purchase the kit that AMES performance engineering sells for doing this procedure. This kit consists of a Tupperware container, rubber hose, instructions and special hose end that pushes into the pump reservoir. It is a little expensive for what you get but it works well. If you have a fax number I can send you the instructions that came with my kit. You could probably put together the kit yourself.

As far as flushing the old system, I believe that the only way to properly do this is to take apart the lines and stoke the cylinders. If you haven’t used the incorrect fluid yet I would just refill the system

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