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New oil controversy [new to me]

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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<span style="font-weight: bold">Gear Oil. </span>

It is said that the GL-4 stuff is the stuff for the older manual transmission and that the GL-5 has an additive or something that can destroy some parts of the gears.

Anyone here know about this?

The thing is, all the local stores carry is GL-5, nobody around here has GL-4 any more. The guy at NAPA said to use the GL-5, the guy a Schucks didn't know GL-5 from SPF-40!!
( that's sunscreen fellas ) :wink:
 
This is discussed frequently on the Triumph side of the board. If your Midget is a 1500 presumably it would apply to your car as well.

It is reported that when using natural oils there is some additive in GL5 formulations that attack the bearing bronze in the gearbox. There are also numerous people who have reported that high quality synthetic GL5 gearbox lubes do NOT have this problem. So... for traditional lubes stick with GL4, if you're using a high quality synthetic, you should be OK with GL5.

As an alternative to the normal stuff, check the Red Line web site and see if anyone in your area sells/distributes their products. They have a few different grades of GL4 manual transmission (MTL) lubes. I recently bought some for our project Spitfire but I haven't even driven the car since filling the box so I can't tell you from personal experience how good it is. However, Red Line came highly recommended.
https://www.redlineoil.com/products_gearlubricants.asp?categoryID=7

You can also order quarts of Castrol GL4 gearbox lube from The Roadster Factory.

EDIT:
I checked the Red Line site for dealers around your part of WA. Not knowing your area I don't know if any of these are convenient, but there are a couple of locations of B&B Auto Parts listed as well as Northwest Racing in Monroe and Motor Oil Supply in Kent. Schucks was also listed as a Red Line distributor. However, there's no guarantee that any of these guys carry the full line of Red Line products. It would be best to call them.
 
Thank you!
So how long do we guess I can run GL-5 in my Datsun 4 speed trans before it goes TU?
I have to find a 5 speed sometime anyway- seeings how it will bolt right up to my Nissan motor :wink: :devilgrin:
 
All my info was with regard to a Triumph/BL gearbox. I have no idea about lubes for the Japanese gearboxes. Sorry.
 
On the transmissions on japanese cars from a list I have
use the API GL-4.
FS5W71C
FS5R90A (Borg & Warner T-5)
FS5R90A
These are all 5 speeds.
 
Speaking of oil.............I've been reading in the British Motoring (Moss Motors) Winter 2009 about correct oil for British Sports Cars. My '59 Bugeye Sprite is due for an oil change but according to the article by Michael Grant, the latest API- grade SM oil is wrong for our cars. He says to use ZDDP at 0.12 percent (dialkyldithiophosphate)...or damage to cam lobes and tappets will be caused. What say 'ye?
 
Ah,,, the ZDDP Discussion.....Believe it or not, the short answer is that Yes, the new oils ARE inadequate for A-series engines. The cheap, easy solution is ..........

....... RED STP!


The stuff for 4 cylinder engines, ......Your whole question opens a BIG can of WORMS... This is just the first word..... but listen to all that everyone has to say and you'll find its also the last word... but.....educate YOURSELF too.


OR... lets see what Hap has to say about all this upcoming ...... firestorm maybe we can avoid a LOT of discussion?
 
I use Valvoline VR1 20W50.

It's readily available and has plenty of zddp.
 
I've been following the panic, too, as the prospect of Nigel self-destructing doesn't appeal to me.

From those articles, apparently good ol' Castrol GTX 20W-50 is still good, but Castrol 30 weight is better.

Diesel oils have ZDDP, but they also have more detergents, so that may be a tossup.
 
bthompson said:
Diesel oils have ZDDP, but they also have more detergents, so that may be a tossup.
Click to expand...

Careful with that comment. Rotella and others are reducing Zddp in desiel oils because the New Low and Ultra Low Sulfur desiels run Cats now. The Cat convertor is the major reason for reducing the zddp in motor oils to begin with. I only use VR-1. Which if you read states not for use on pollution cintrolled vehicles for that same reason.
 
I used to burn nothing BUT the best, Valvoline, unitl a couple of years ago when I swithced to Castrol GTX 20w/50, but I've been adding the STP since this ZDDP thing came to my attention. I may go back to Valvoline now that I know about VR-1. I don't like the thought of having to add "junk" to my oil. I'll have to see if it is readily available here.
 
Schucks has it in several straight weights (30w, 40w, 50w, and 60w) and in multi-grade (20w-50).
I've heard that Walmart has it for cheaper, but I don't shop there much.
It's the only thing that I use, and my True Value store across the street from my home carries it as well. Makes doing that oil change a pretty easy deal.

Funny - the True Value has a lot of stuff I need for my cars and my home so I usually go there first. Yesterday I needed 10mm x 1.25 and 8mm x 1.25 nuts for my new motor mount and they didn't have them!! I had to drive 4 miles to a NAPA store!! :wink:
 
I use 4 stroke motorcycle oil - have ZDDP
 
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