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TR4/4A 65 triumph tr4a trans fliud

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You will alway get conflicting reports on this topic. I've used Valvoline VR-1 20W-50 racing oil with no issues in my overdrive box. If you are having some troubles with syncros you might consider Redline MT-90 as it is reported to help smooth out the shifting.
 
Hi Timmy,

I see you are relatively new here. If you search for posts on transmissions and gear oil you will find several threads with a lot of discussion. After following several of those threads, and since I had the transmission out to replace my clutch. I recently replaced the old gear oil with a synthetic. I have an overdrive transmission and it works fine. I used Lucas brand but I can't remember the weight. Something Randall recommended I'll bet.

Dan B.
 
As noted, lots of opinion here. Personally I am using the MT-90.

BTW -- I always call it 'gearbox' and not 'tranny' as a Google search of the latter will take you to some non-automotive sites.
 
If going synthetic, I use Redline MT-90 (using that now). Non-synthetic I go Valvoline VR1 20W/50.

I did try straight non-detergent 30 weight motor oil (many recommend this) but, found my shifts into 3rd gear became notchy - especially when hot.

Mine is an overdrive gearbox

Bob
 
+1 on either VR1 or MT-90.

Back in the 50s, Triumph did recommend not using "gear oil" and specified 50 weight motor oil (for climates above 70F) or 30 weight for cooler climates. There is a service note that implies Laycock (the OD maker) said not to use gear oil in the OD.

But Triumph switched to specifying only GL4 gear oil around 1960, for both OD and non-OD, supposedly because they were having an unacceptable rate of warranty returns on gearboxes and the GL4 provided better protection for the countershaft thrust washers (a known weak spot).

However, the VR1 does seem to provide adequate protection. Ken Gillanders at British Frame and Engine (a well-known figure in Triumph racing circles) did a 5 year test in the "Red Rocket" (his ex-drag racing TR2) and reported that all the wear surfaces looked like new after 5 years of driving on the street.

I use the MT-90 because it does seem to provide smoother, more positive shifts. I occasionally bobble a shift (let the clutch out too soon), which with the VR-1 would frequently result in gear grinding. (Mind you, this is strictly operator error, I don't regard it as a fault in the gearbox or its oil.) But with the MT-90, it almost always goes on into gear.
 
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