Tranny fluid suggestions?
Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68
Tranny fluid suggestions?
Got to refill my new tranny before putting it in. Any suggestions? I know Redline makes good stuff as well as the syncromesh, but what do y'all recomend?
- dbrick
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
If you're selling the car, then go with the stock stuff, 85w-90 gear oil.
Dave Brisco
Take my advice, I'm not using it"
66 2000 The Bobster
64 1500 in pieces for sale
1980 Fiat X1/9
2009 Volvo C-70
08 Expedition EL, STUPID huge but comfy
1962 Thompson Sea Lancer, possible money pit
Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
thanks, and if I'm not?dbrick wrote:If you're selling the car, then go with the stock stuff, 85w-90 gear oil.
- SLOroadster
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
SWEPCO (215 I think) Better than redline, I've had 3 5th gears die with Redline, 0 with Swepco. Its expensive, but less than a transmission rebuild. Pelican Parts sells it. Most of the Porsche guys swear by the stuff (motor oil or trans/diff lube). Its really good stuff.
Will
Will
Sorry, I find modern engine swaps revolting. Keep your G, R, or U series in your Roadster!
- dbrick
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
What Will said
Dave Brisco
Take my advice, I'm not using it"
66 2000 The Bobster
64 1500 in pieces for sale
1980 Fiat X1/9
2009 Volvo C-70
08 Expedition EL, STUPID huge but comfy
1962 Thompson Sea Lancer, possible money pit
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
What?!?!
I just picked up some Redline MTL for myself and Garth!
I thought it was one of the Good ones!?!? And was recomended on this and the email list awhile back??
Garth's gonna be pissed if this stuff isn't any good....I might be forced to buy it back from him..........

I thought it was one of the Good ones!?!? And was recomended on this and the email list awhile back??

Garth's gonna be pissed if this stuff isn't any good....I might be forced to buy it back from him..........

Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Daryl Smith wrote:What?!?!I just picked up some Redline MTL for myself and Garth!
I thought it was one of the Good ones!?!? And was recomended on this and the email list awhile back??![]()
Garth's gonna be pissed if this stuff isn't any good....I might be forced to buy it back from him..........
How much do the 5 speeds hold?
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
According to the 'Texaco' maintenance sheet in the tech wiki - 5.5 pints = 2.75 quarts = 2.6 Litres! 

Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Thanks! I got 3 quarts before you answered just to make sure... looks like I did good. lolDaryl Smith wrote:According to the 'Texaco' maintenance sheet in the tech wiki - 5.5 pints = 2.75 quarts = 2.6 Litres!
- ppeters914
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Redline is good, and one of the few GL-4 rated oils still available. I haven't heard anyone but Porsche/VW folks (remember, they have a transaxle) use Swepco, but they do love it.Daryl Smith wrote:What?!?!I just picked up some Redline MTL for myself and Garth!
I thought it was one of the Good ones!?!? And was recomended on this and the email list awhile back??![]()
Garth's gonna be pissed if this stuff isn't any good....I might be forced to buy it back from him..........
That said, if the tranny isn't tight, you're chancing leaking expensive ($9+) synthetic oil vs the cheaper ($3-$4) but perfectly good dyno stuff.
Pete
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.

'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Redline is good and actually smoothed out PART of my syncro issue. However, it is a thinner oil than 90 wt. Consequently it tends to leave its mark on my garage floor.
- Gregs672000
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Thought I'd add on to this one... I've been a fan of Swepco 201, but when a friend and I went through the trans last year that oil got dumped, and I didn't want to wait for it to come mail order, so I used off the shelf Valvoline (as I recall). The trans has been notchy/resistant at a stop going into first (could be a few tries, maybe pump the clutch, 8 times out of 10 tries), and a little scratchy going into 2nd or downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. Some recent posts prompted me to check my gear oils in the (Mazda LS) diff and the trans. For some reason, the diff was pretty low, so I changed it and used Castro LS diff oil and Lube guard LSD additive. Then I pumped out a quart of oil from the trans and added 2 quarts of Royal Purple 75w-140 via a harbor freight hand transfer pump (works great). It was $22 a quart, nearly 3 times as expensive as standard, but this was one of those times when I decided to spend the dough. Now, since it took 2 quarts and I only drained 1, this may influence or account for my results (however, the car was jacked way up on the drivers side and I refilled until it started coming out the hole, so it may be slightly overfilled. Prior to removing the quart, I could stick my finger in the hole and bend it down slightly and could touch oil with the car at that angle, so it was not super low). I just drove the car 14 miles, and the issues are gone. It is no longer resistant ever going into first, shifts and downshifts smoothly into 2nd, and shifts smoother overall. Don't know if that's the oil, the level or a combo, but I'm happy. FWIW!


Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Swepco is about $24 a quart in a gallon jug, so you did OK if you have Swepco results.Gregs672000 wrote: Sun Jul 24, 2022 3:16 pm Thought I'd add on to this one... I've been a fan of Swepco 201, but when a friend and I went through the trans last year that oil got dumped, and I didn't want to wait for it to come mail order, so I used off the shelf Valvoline (as I recall). The trans has been notchy/resistant at a stop going into first (could be a few tries, maybe pump the clutch, 8 times out of 10 tries), and a little scratchy going into 2nd or downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. Some recent posts prompted me to check my gear oils in the (Mazda LS) diff and the trans. For some reason, the diff was pretty low, so I changed it and used Castro LS diff oil and Lube guard LSD additive. Then I pumped out a quart of oil from the trans and added 2 quarts of Royal Purple 75w-140 via a harbor freight hand transfer pump (works great). It was $22 a quart, nearly 3 times as expensive as standard, but this was one of those times when I decided to spend the dough. Now, since it took 2 quarts and I only drained 1, this may influence or account for my results (however, the car was jacked way up on the drivers side and I refilled until it started coming out the hole, so it may be slightly overfilled. Prior to removing the quart, I could stick my finger in the hole and bend it down slightly and could touch oil with the car at that angle, so it was not super low). I just drove the car 14 miles, and the issues are gone. It is no longer resistant ever going into first, shifts and downshifts smoothly into 2nd, and shifts smoother overall. Don't know if that's the oil, the level or a combo, but I'm happy. FWIW!
![]()
1967 1600 in waiting SPL311-09002 / R-28178
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Ultimate
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Ultimate
- redroadster
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
ND 30w might be a good choice too the Chrysler Mitsubishi s used it , most of our speed gear tapers are polished / glassy ( they were the same as a brake rotors new) and the syncros have a hard time grabbing the gears like that or like they used to do
Datsun dealer tech 76 to 87
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ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
- Gregs672000
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Re: Tranny fluid suggestions?
Yep, so far so good. I have not checked for leaks, but it should be sealed up well. It has already made the car more easy to drive, with no concern about having to get it into first when the light changes, or being super nice on down shifts. I'm surprised at how less stressful the whole thing feels... didn't know I was that effected!
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA