I am wondering what "type" of oil to use? It is the stock, 3-spd "light duty" column shift.

Does Ford even sell it anymore? What brand should I use? weight?

Thank you.

 

90 wt Gear Oil
Not 90 wt oil
90 wt Gear Oil.

 

Howdy,

If it doesn't leak, I would put Mobil 1 75W-90 in it.

You can get it at just about any autoparts store in Bakerspatch but you'll probably get the best deal at Walmart.

Cheers,


Rick
(Formerly from Taft!)

 

Correct, std tranny's used regular 90W rear axle gear lube, nothing special. The synthetics (Mobil 1, Redline, Royal Purple, etc) will also work but are more expensive. Fill the tranny before installing (and wrap a clean rag around tranny output shaft to reduce spillage) or have some sort of turkey baster w/hose or other type pump device handy for filling. They should be filled to even with bottom of fill plug hole. Standard mechanic's dipstick was the baby finger stuck into the hole.

 

Thank you all very much. I was busy runnin' around town today and couldn't reply.

That transmission is 54 years old....I don't trust it's seals....so no synthetic for me.


What brand of 90 wt gear oil would you guys use? Ford? Lucas?

Thank you.

 

Really doesn't matter on brand they all have to pass the same SAE lubrication tests. Go to your local service station that still actually works on cars and have them pump a few pints out of their drum into a clean milk jug for you. It's an old wives tale that synthetics will leak where dino won't. It might have been true when syns first came out but they've overcome that tendency many years ago. The only seals you need to worry about is the input and output shaft seal, and if they haven't been replaced in 50 years they are going to leak even if you fill the tranny with wheel bearing grease. Syns have better high pressure lube characteristics so your tranny would shift easier, especially when cold.

 

No seal in the input shaft, just a slinger.

Synchro's work by friction, I've never understood how synthetic would help shifting.

 

Syncros do work by limited friction slowing down the free rotating gear, much like metallic or ceramic brakes work, but you want a thin film of lubricant to remain, you don't want the lube to be squeezed out totally or the metal to metal contact would quickly gall and wear out the brass rings. The gears themselves also slide against one another durring shifts.

 

I didn't mean to imply that Synthetics would cause leaks because I don't believe it either. They might run out a little faster if there is a leak since the oil is not nearly as thick. Cold oil will not leak out as quickly as hot oil.

They absolutely do improve shifting when a transmission is cold or in cold weather. Once it warms up due to use, it won't be that noticeably different than regular gear oil.

Most of the auto manufacturers are using synthetic oil as original-fill in manual boxes and rear axles because it absolutely does improve the total gas mileage.

It takes quite a while to warm up a rear-end or transmission when lightly loaded or driving short distances.

When I finally put my Eaton 2 speed axle together in my 55 F-600. I'll put Mobil 1 75W-90 in it. If I was using a manual trans, I would put it in there too.

I know it's fairly expensive but you don't change it very often.......usually, years between gear/axle-oil changes.

The amount of gas you'll save will easily pay for the difference in cost over those years.....


Regards,



Rick

 

We use all synthetics in our AX race cars, engine, tranny, rear, and even power steering to reduce drag and increase protection when we sling the cars around so much.

 

I'm sorry I didn't reply....the site wouldn't load on my comp. I am on my brothers now.


Well, in that case, I will look into some synth.

Yes, there is no input shaft seal, it's a "slinger".