3000 gearbox oil

[Cooperman]

Hi All,

Its probably been posted on here some where before but as i can not find a definitive answer here goes........
Can i, or should i use an EP 80 hypoid gearbox oil in a non OD 3000 gearbox? I've not run the car yet but its an old box that i hope will function OK after 40 years off the road. My thinking is it may run quieter Vs 20/50 engine oil as recommended?

 

[DerekJ]

Hypoid oil is a different animal, you should stick with the 20/50, thats what it was designed to take.

 

[British_Recovery]

30 wt. non-detergent motor oil is recommended in the early gearboxes.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Regardless of what was originally called for, they had only single weight oils when most of these were built.
The first true multi-season oil was 20W-30, very soon followed by 10W-30, which was commonly available by the mid 1960's.
Single weight turns to the viscosity of water when hot, and like maple syrup when cold.
Multi-weight is better for keeping the shifting the same hot or cold than single weight oils.
3000's were what, 1959-1967. Yes, they had multi-weight oils by the end of production.
What year is yours?
I'd use 20W-50, as I do in my LBC.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Cooperman--

Hypoid gear oil generally carries a GL5 rating. It is inappropriate for and corrosive to "yellow metals" such as are found in Healey gearboxes.
Look for transmission oils that carry a GL4 ratings such as Redline MTL or MT90 which are same or similar in viscosity to 20/50 engine oil.