Hello, Don:

I don't think you're going to have a problem with those parts, they're pretty common. I'm sure someone will jump in here with the part number or the name of a supplier.

As to the type of brake fluid, I would recommend silicone because (at least I'm TOLD) this does not attract water as the old style fluid does. All I know is that, after running silicone in my 1937's system for at least 20 years, I have had no problems and the wheel cylinders have never pitted or leaked. The biggest problem I've heard of, with the silicone, is with the pressure-type stoplight switches that are activated by movement of the fluid. These can leak with the silicone. But I believe your car uses the old style mechanical switches that are activated by the pedal or linkage, aren't they? If so, this would not present a problem of brake fluid leakage.

My biggest problem so far with the silicone, has been that a friend (who used to work on my car) accidentally put the old style fluid in the system, not realizing that I'd switched to silicone. The system has not been cleaned out and replaced with all-silicone.

Jon, You are correct, I have the external stoplight switch and thanks for the fluid recommendation!

Don,

Regarding Brake fluid, DOT 5 is the way to go, and yes, the silicone brake fluid does not attract water unlike the old alcohol based fluid (silicone is hydrophobic), so problems with pitting and leakage are not likely to plague you in the future. The DOT 5 fluid is much more expensive, but consider the costs of using the other fluid especially if you get pitting, leakage, etc. I've never had a problem with pitting and leakage from cars that have been reconditioned and filled with DOT 5 fluid. I have heard from some that chemically DOT 5 doesn't expand the rubber seals properly and you can get failure, but I think it is all hand waving arguments. The proper components are in there to expand and seal the cups. Again, I have had no leakage ever.

I have several 1941 cars, and the main problem, addressed elsewhere in this forum, is to be sure that you retain, or carefully check, that new shoes are the Hudson ones. Ford type shoes look the same at first glance, but they are not. They do no mount quite right due to slightly different position of the mounting structure on the shoe, and your brakes will not work properly then because they won't seat properly on the drum. Best approach I think is to retain your shoes and have new linings put on them locally.