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transmition fluid

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Bill Toppin

Freshman Member
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Hi I have a question on what I should be putting in the tranny for gear oil. when I cleaned and refilled it I used Lucas 85\140 gear oil that I got at pepboy's .This seems to be to thick as I had trouble shifting the gears(it was very cold out that day about 18 F) soooo I was wondering what I should use to make the o/d work smoother. I should slso tell you it's a side loader 4 speed with o/d in a BT7 thanks for any help bill toppin
 
Re: transmission fluid

Hi Bill,
The factory specified 30 wt engine oil for Healeys. Interestingly, Triumph specified gear oil, GL4 or lower rated. Many Healeys use 20W-50 engine oil. Some use Redline MT 90, a SAE rated 75W90 gear oil, or MTL, a SAE rated 70W80 gear oil. Neither of which contains sulphur. This is not really the contradiction that it sounds like. Gear oil & motor oil have different rating systems so gear oil & engine oil are close to the same viscosity at transmission temperatures. The important thing is to avoid sulphur compounds, which may degrade the brass/bronze parts in the transmission, & avoid friction modifiers which may cause the OD to slip. A GL5 rated gear oil would be an example of the wrong stuff.

I think 85/140 gear oil is definitely the wrong thing to use. Especially if it is GL5 rated. SAE 20w-50 or Redline MTL would likely improve your situation. R/L seems to give better shifting than 20-50 but is quite a bit more expensive.

There are a lot of differing opinions on this subject so you may get others.
D
 
[ QUOTE ]
Red Line MT 90 is the only way to go. I just changed mine and will never go back. Shifts great and the OD works flawlessly. Skip

[/ QUOTE ] I am traveling so I am unable to check but I believe that I have used Red Line MTL with sucess in my vintage race car.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am traveling so I am unable to check but I believe that I have used Red Line MTL with sucess in my vintage race car.

[/ QUOTE ]
Another vote for Red Line MTL.
 
I have used Shell ND (Non-Detergent) oil in two Healeys that both shift well. It is probably cheaper than Redline, although, I have heard enough support for Redline that when I change my oil next, I will try Redline.
Robert
 
I believe 30 weight engine oil is specified in both the shop manual and owners manual. That's what I used, no problems.
 
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