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MGB mgb gearbox fluid options

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keith k

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I recently purchased a 73 B and it came with both a Chiltons and Haynes manual. Chiltons recomends standard GL-5 hypoid gear oil while Haynes recomends 20W50 engine oil as the gearbox fluid. As it's been over 25 years since my last British car, I'd appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks.
 
Transmission gets the same oil that the engine gets - Castrol 20W50
 
Thanks guys, it's good to be back in the British car fraternity, and even better to know that this forum is here for inexperienced owners like myself to seek answers. Happy motoring.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by keith k:
Thanks guys, it's good to be back in the British car fraternity, and even better to know that this forum is here for inexperienced owners like myself to seek answers. Happy motoring.<hr></blockquote>

You are very welcome. And welcome to the forum, you will enjoy it here. Be sure to post pictures of your car.
Bob
 
I went to a Quickie Lube that started to install 90 wt gear oil in the trans; they said it is the same as 20/50. I said, drain it and give me 20/50. Maybe I'm stupid and they are correct, but I know what I know.And when it gets down to -15, having a multi-grade is nicer than any straight weight.

[ 02-13-2004: Message edited by: chris roop ]</p>
 
I've drained 90 wt out of a B I bought and replaced it with 20/50. shifts much nicer
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by chris roop:
I went to a Quickie Lube that started to install 90 wt gear oil in the trans; they said it is the same as 20/50. I said, drain it and give me 20/50. Maybe I'm stupid and they are correct, but I know what I know.And when it gets down to -15, having a multi-grade is nicer than any straight weight.

[ 02-13-2004: Message edited by: chris roop ]<hr></blockquote>


What I think is they were hopeing you were stupid enough to believe them because they didn't want to drain it.

Talking about stiffness, I had a Dodge once with a 4 speed trans that came with 140 in it. Everything was fine down here in Florida until I visited my wife's parents in a cooler climate. It was down in the 20's and I had to pull the shifter with both hands to get it from 1st to 2nd until it warmed up enough to shift normally.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Kim de B:
Yeah, and Keith, throw out that Chilton's! It won't do you much good.<hr></blockquote>

you can't have too many manuals
crazyeyes.gif
 
OK, I confess, I DO have a Chilton's, but it's the very first MG-specific thing I bought when I got my first B waaaaaaay back in 1978 ... Back when MGBs were still being sold, and the Chilton MGB manuals were available in every auto part store. And I barely knew how to put gas in the car.

So it's got sentimental value. and I recorded the VINs and engine IDs of all four of my Bs there.
 
That would be a worthwhile project, Chris! (Although the British euphemisms have their charm . . . as long as you're not actually trying to understand what they're talking about ...)
 
chris roop said:
I went to a Quickie Lube that started to install 90 wt gear oil in the trans; they said it is the same as 20/50. I said, drain it and give me 20/50. Maybe I'm stupid and they are correct, but I know what I know.And when it gets down to -15, having a multi-grade is nicer than any straight weight.

[ 02-13-2004: Message edited by: chris roop ]</p>
Click to expand...
SORRY TO SAY YOU ARE STUPID AND THEY ARE CORRECT. AUSTIN/MG PUT OUT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DATED APRIL 1975 WHICH STATES AND I QUOTE" WILL SERVICE PERSONNEL PLEASE NOTE THAT HYPOID SAE 90 OIL HAS NOW BEEN APPROVED FOR USE IN THE GEARBOX ON MG VEHICLES. THIS SUPERCEDES THE PREVIOUS SPECIFICATION CALLING FOR ENGINE OIL, AND IS SUITABLE FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH or WITHOUT OVERDRIVE
 
Castrol...
Maple syrup, too Canadian...
Jameson's, too Irish...
Sauce BĂ©arnaise, too French...
Coor's, too American...

Erica
 
Is there an advantage to the 90 weight Hypoid over the traditional 20-50 engine oil??? It might not slip past the seals as readily I guess.

My British Seagull outboard specifies 140 in the lower unit - that stuff is like syrup. It also says not to worry if you get water in the oil of the lower unit.
 
Hey all just worth noting that the thread is from 2004. I supect the original poster is long gone.
 
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