1978 F600

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Aug 15, 2025 | 09:55 PM

THUNDERJET

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4wd Low

Joined: Feb 2004

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1978 F600

What gear oil is recommended for a Eaton model 16244 two speed rear axle? What type of oil is recommended in a Clark model 285V five speed transmission? What weight of oil is recommended in a 330 2V XD FT engine? How many quarts does each take? Can synthetic gear oil be used? I am wanting to change all the fluids in my 1978 f600 and basically would like to know what everyone uses or what is recommended by the manufacturers. Thanks!

Aug 17, 2025 | 12:12 PM

asavage

FTE Community Team

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,878

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From: Oak Harbor, Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by THUNDERJET

What gear oil is recommended for a Eaton model 16244 two speed rear axle?

Hypoid GL5 85W-90 (or 85W-140 if your service conditions warrant)

If you want to chase stuff that's never serviced, the 2-speed rear axle shifter (10W oil: substitute 10W30 these days) never gets changed in those, and it gets gummy when the seal between the shifter and the main housing leaks.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...mechanism.html
There's only a fill plug, so you have to use a sucker and dip tube, or take the cover off (get a new gasket first).

Quote:

What type of oil is recommended in a Clark model 285V five speed transmission?

SAE 50 (or 85W90 GL4, which is getting a bit harder to find). I run AMSOil FTF.

1721081356561.webpasavage · Jul 15, 2024 at 3:11 PM

Do not run a GL5 lubricant in the transmission.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21309839

Quantity? For the Clark 280 Series: 8 pints (4 quarts, 1 gallon) per the 1973 Ford Truck Shop Manual, pg. 16-40-07:

(originally posted here with quantity correction here)

I put 4.5 quarts in mine, but the rig was not perfectly level.

Quote:

What weight of oil is recommended in a 330 2V XD FT engine?

Viscosity requirements vary. If the engine is in reasonable condition, I'd run 10W30, but oil/coolant/spark plugs are kind of like religion, so . . .
Educate yourself on the "flat tappet ZDDP" issue, or just run "for classic cars" oil and ignore it.
I run AMSOil Z-Rod 10W30, but my engine isn't an oil burner and that oil is expensive. I don't run my truck much.

Quote:

How many quarts does each take?

My '73 361 (same basic FT engine as yours) is ~8 quarts in the engine, including the Motorcraft FL-299 or Wix 51773 high-capacity (~1.5 quart) oil filter. Yours is probably similar.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21613767
High-capacity full-flow oil filters like these should be pre-filled prior to installation.

Quote:

Can synthetic gear oil be used?

Synthetic lubricants are pretty much all I use. But see "religion" above.

Last edited by asavage; Jun 13, 2026 at 12:34 AM.