So...does the gearbox on my '60 require gear oil or just be greased? Right now, it doesn't look to have any oil, maybe that's why it's hard to steer? If it takes oil, what weight oil?

 

Hi Sixoh,

Ford Lubricant B6A-19580-A (S.A.E. 90) for above -20 Deg. F.
B6A-19580-B (S.A.E. 80) for below -20 Deg. F.

According to the shop manual, you are supposed to check /add as required every 1,000 miles for F-100 thru F-500 models.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Ken-o! I gotta get a shop manual soon.

I was poking around in my box and noticed it was dry except for some grease. The whole thing needs rebuilt anyway, but maybe a little oil couldn't hurt!

See ya!

 

Old gummy oil can look like grease. Also a lot of misguided souls would add grease to the gear box in place of the recommended oil.

Use the oil - if you box leaks replace the seals. The oil flows back over the gears where grease squeezes out of the contact surface between the worm and sector roller. After a short time you're rubbing metal on metal and creating a rebuild in the near future.

 

Ohh - well there's already a rebuild in the future, no way around it! I've got all the typical probs of a 44 year old truck, but can't do anything about it (them) just yet. The first thing I wanted to do was get the right size tires on there to help with steering effort and prevent further stress on the steeringbox/suspension.

But, of course when I'm getting ready to do this, my wife's auto trans goes south today in her '95 Buick! So, I'll be rebuilding that first. I hate automatics!