Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

What Fluids Do I Need?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 28, 2018 | 12:06 PM
  #1  
DieselHardware's Avatar
DieselHardware
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
What Fluids Do I Need?

Add Ole Blue to the stable yesterday. 1986 2wd 4-speed 302 9" rear. 160k original miles and truck is nearly stock except for the new paint job. Paint is nowhere near perfect, but for my new daily driver, she looks amazing going down the road. Aside from all the usual old stuff that needs attention, she is solid with no body rust and drives like she's on rails.

Haven't had an older vehicle in a lot of years and wondering if anyone has suggestions for fluid types and brands for oil, coolant, rear end, transmission gear oil, clutch fluid, brake fluid, etc. I know to stick with conventional fluids, and not synthetics, but want to make sure I don't miss anything that these older trucks might need in terms of lubricants.

TIA!
Nathan


 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2018 | 03:52 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
Likes: 2,733
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I usually use store brands of oils, you can use any brand you want. The rearend will take 80-80w gear oil. You will need to check what trans you have, most also take 80-90w gear oil but check which one you have. Clutch and brake use conventional dot 3 brake fluid.

This is when a cheap haynes manual comes in handy. They are no good for a beginner mechanic, but work pretty well on listing the oddball stuff for each style of vehicle, and they have the fluids listed and the capacity of each component.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2018 | 04:23 PM
  #3  
Rembrant's Avatar
Rembrant
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Originally Posted by DieselHardware
Add Ole Blue to the stable yesterday. 1986 2wd 4-speed 302 9" rear. 160k original miles and truck is nearly stock except for the new paint job. Paint is nowhere near perfect, but for my new daily driver, she looks amazing going down the road.
Truck looks great, perfect paint job or not. Well done.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2018 | 05:06 PM
  #4  
DieselHardware's Avatar
DieselHardware
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I usually use store brands of oils, you can use any brand you want. The rearend will take 80-80w gear oil. You will need to check what trans you have, most also take 80-90w gear oil but check which one you have. Clutch and brake use conventional dot 3 brake fluid.

This is when a cheap haynes manual comes in handy. They are no good for a beginner mechanic, but work pretty well on listing the oddball stuff for each style of vehicle, and they have the fluids listed and the capacity of each component.
Thanks. With it being an older model, I just wasn't sure if there was anything specific to look for with oils as far as additive packages go.

The trans is the Borg Warner 4-speed.
 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2018 | 10:47 AM
  #5  
matthewq4b's Avatar
matthewq4b
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
For motor oil you want an oil with a good concentration of ZDDP (Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates) to keep the lifters from wiping out the cam.
You really do not less than 1000 PPM of ZDDP in the oil for a stock engine that's already broken in.


Coolant any of the modern coolants will work along with the old school green stuff. I opt for Rotella ELC in every thing I own. Just for commonality and it is a life install that will never need flushed.




Gear Oil is what every you want to use as long as it meets the proper GL rating for your trans.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Justin Braun
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
May 24, 2017 01:22 PM
Cruiseomatic
General Automotive Discussion
3
Jun 20, 2010 02:42 PM
SweetVannilla
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
3
Nov 9, 2007 10:27 AM
ranch67
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Mar 12, 2007 02:04 PM
steve381
Bronco II
2
Apr 21, 2005 12:39 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:24 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE