• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
  • When posting a classified ad, you MUST select a prefix from the drop-down next to the subject line. If you don't you will get an error and your ad will not be posted!
Tips
Tips

5 speed conversion trans oil

Share this page

bugedd

bugedd

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
I am changing the trans fluid in my 5 speed Datsun trans, and was wondering if I can use Redline Heavy Shockproof Gear Oil? I have a couple quarts around and would like to use them up if possible. If not, recommendations?
 
Not sure about that one specifically, but some do recommend the Redline gear oil.
I'm using Royal Purple and I know a couple others who are happy with it.
Some here say just put 30 weight non detergent motor oil in it, and that seems to work for them.
Just don't use standard modern gear oil with ratings like GL4 or GL5, additives eat up the yellow metals.
 
All I know if your crankin it up and taking her for a spin in the dead of a cold winter...you want a low viscosity oil... Otherwise you will be wrestling to move from one gear to the next until the tranny heats up..
 
Redline here. I think it's the MT90.
Quiet easy shifts.
The Heavy Shock Oil isn't recommended for syncro transmissions. Too slippery.
 
I couldn't readily obtain Redline, and put in Royal Purple instead. Completely satisfied.
 
RickB said:
Not sure about that one specifically, but some do recommend the Redline gear oil.
I'm using Royal Purple and I know a couple others who are happy with it.
Some here say just put 30 weight non detergent motor oil in it, and that seems to work for them.
Just don't use standard modern gear oil with ratings like GL4 or GL5, additives eat up the yellow metals.
Click to expand...

Rick,

Unlike the normal gearbox in Spridgets, the Datsun 5 speeds require gear oil, not motor oil. In fact, the 210 shop manual recommends the following:

"Temperature range of –20 F. to +100 F. (-30 C to +38 C) use 80w-90 API GL-4"
 
Thanks Gerard, I know that very well however there are (as I mentioned) some people who use engine oil.
Also I believe when the manual was written the formulation (chemistry) of GL-4 was not the same as it is today, thus the warning I gave.
Synthetic is safe for the metals, but you need good seals.
 
Back
Top