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Datsun Tranny Fluid

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Pythias

Pythias

Jedi Knight
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Anyone have the spec for Datsun tranny fluid?.. I know Bill M. of Billgaria Motors says Motor Oil, and change it yearly, and that Paul A. always told me to use the Datsun Spec stuff. I don't which weight of motor oil or what the datsun spec is. I think it's time to drain and fill, but I don't know how much to put in, assuming that I can find the filler plug by feel.

TIA
 
According to the Haynes manual I have for the Datsun 210, it takes 90EP hypoid gear oil, so 80/90 or 75/90 should work just fine. I plan on using Redline MT90 the next time I change the fluid out. I have it in my Toyota and like how it shifts now.
 
BillM told me to use 30w oil.
I've got 100 miles on mine.
80/90 sure is different.
I'll do some research and see if I can't come up w/ Datsun specs.
Phil
 
In the papers that came with my 5-speed from Paul A. he says to use 80W-90 API GL-4. The capacity is 2 1/2 pints U.S.
 
spritenut said:
I have been using synthetic gear oil 80/90.
Click to expand...

Which brand... I see STA-LUBE, but also

Royal Purple 75/90 and

Red Line MT 90...? as synthetic alternatives?
 
Certain additives in the 80/90 gear oils are hard on brass, as in sycro rings, so go by the datsun specs. I think those additives are common in gear oils for limited slip differentials. Don't know about synthetic's but its worth checking into, Bill. I use the old fashioned 90 wt that meets spec.

Kurt.
 
I imagine Bill M is thinking easier shifts and when its cold out you sure can notice the 90wt. Don't imagine motor oil would do as much damage as the wrong gear oil.

Kurt.
 
I imagine Bill M is thinking easier shifts and when its cold out you sure can notice the 90wt. Don't imagine motor oil would do as much damage as the wrong gear oil.

Kurt.
 
I think Datsun called for 90w "GL4"
IOt is the GL4 spec that is freindlier to the brass.
GL5 spec is the stuff to use in the pumpkin

I'll be changing this week, cause I don't do too many cold weather shifting anymore. At least not cold by Nomad's standards

Phil
 
taskadog said:
I think Datsun called for 90w "GL4"
IOt is the GL4 spec that is freindlier to the brass.
GL5 spec is the stuff to use in the pumpkin

I'll be changing this week, cause I don't do too many cold weather shifting anymore. At least not cold by Nomad's standards

Phil
Click to expand...

Yep....only use GL-4.
 
My NAPA store sells "GL4 Manual Transmission Oil". That is what I've used for about 30,000 miles. Seems to work fine.
 
Right, I have had this conversation with Datsun1200 people and ratsun.net people and you really need to be sure to avoid the GL5 stuff.
GL4 has the same chemical that's caustic to the yellow metals but less of it.
Non detergent 30 weight is in mine now, installed by BillM.
Seems to be working ok...
Definitely less scary than GL5
 
I couldn't remember GL4. THANKS

When Paul A and I first installed the 5 speed, he asked if I was going to be doing lots of driving in the winter, and if so, he would put in synthetic, but warned that it was easy to beat the synchros until it got warmed up. At least that's what I recall of the conversation. I'll see what they have at the local auto parts store and decide while staring at bottles on the shelf, between Royal Purple, Lucas Oil, Red Line, Valvoline, or Sta-Lube... ...

Doesn't look like it's going to quit raining this week, so no rush, but I'd like to have it done before the AutoJumble that's usually the last Sunday of April, but this moved to the first Sunday of May. .. maybe it will quit raining by then...
 
Whoops--Sorry for the double post. Blame it on sat reception. And ,yes Phil, I probably set a pretty good standard for cold though Scout in North Dakota even has me beat!!!

Kurt.
 
Pythias said:
Anyone have the spec for Datsun tranny fluid?.. I know Bill M. of Billgaria Motors says Motor Oil, and change it yearly, and that Paul A. always told me to use the Datsun Spec stuff. I don't which weight of motor oil or what the datsun spec is. I think it's time to drain and fill, but I don't know how much to put in, assuming that I can find the filler plug by feel.

TIA
Click to expand...

Definitely NOT motor oil! Use your favorite flavor of 90w gear lube. Reline MTL is a very good choice. Add a few ounces of MMO to improve shifting on an older box. Paul <span style="font-style: italic">always</span> recommended synthetic.

Datsun Spec is 2.5 pints of API GL4 (or superseding) classification -

Viscosity @ Outside temperature range
+50F to -20= 75W,
+86F to -20= 80W
+104 to -20= 75W-90/80W-90,
Between +14 and +86 = 85W,
+32 to +104= 90,
+50 to +104= 140

Recommended service is "Inspect @ 15,000 miles"
 
I only recommend 30 wgt motor oil since I have had several friends with Datsun 210's (and their brother cars) who have had extreme difficulty shifting gears with the 90 wgt and have had to go to the 30 wgt to make the car usable. Once they went to the 30 the problems went away completely. I no longer use the 90 wgt at all! The problems happened both in San Diego and Seattle so I wouldn't say it is a cold weather problem.
BillM
 
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