Manual Transmission Oil

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
TronDD
Posts: 68
Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 4:29 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby TronDD » Tue May 31, 2011 9:00 pm

The additives in the oil can increase wear on the brass synchros in the trans.

Tim.
1979 Fiat 2000
1986 Trabant
1969 Chevelle
2003 Jetta TDI (Daily driver)

Rascal

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby Rascal » Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:49 pm

Yes, the hardest part can be getting the filler plug open.
I did a short drive to warm it up so it drained quickly.
Fortunately, no metal in the drain plug sludge.
I got my pump for $7, made filling very easy. Well worth it to me.

I put in Redline MT90. It's supposed to be good for brass synchros.
I've read several other members here recommend it.

Shifting seems smoother and the transmission sounds a little quieter.
Maybe it's the $30 worth of oil effect.

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tartan18
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Lebanon, Oregon

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby tartan18 » Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:29 am

Excellent feedback. Thanks -- I think I will go with Redline MT90 my next transmission oil change.
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology

Adam

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby Adam » Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:28 am

I wise man told me to use Pennzoil syncromesh manual transmission fluid. It is designed for use in transmissions with yellow metal. It's specifically for GM and Chrysler so it's easy to find and costs a lot less than other alternatives. I tried to buy GL1 from the local Fiat mechanic, but he wanted $50 a quart so I was all for this alternative.

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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby ga.spyder » Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:06 pm

After seeing a post here and the pix of the inside of Alvons tranny,I went with his reccomandation and switched to Valvoline VR-1 Racing Oil in 50W.The tranny is waaay smoother shifting. A $12 transfer pump from Autozone makes the oil change very easy.
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !

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pressonregardless
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Posts: 83
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:02 pm
Your car is a: 1974 Spider
Location: Atwater, Ca

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby pressonregardless » Fri Aug 12, 2011 8:24 pm

I used the Transmission: NAPA SAE90 GL-1. Part# 65-201 about a month ago.
It cost about $14 for a gallon and it took the hesitation on 1-2 shift out. Plus, there is a little "shink-shink" sound (Ferrari like) now as before I always was extra careful as the Trans felt like paste was in the syncros. Stick with the MFG recommended.
Also the fill plug on the side was a 17mm and I had to purchase a box end as my Craftsman flare nut wrench spread it's jaws trying to loosen it. I think it had about 60ft lbs on it, I put it back with a mechanics' "tight enough" turn. Good Luck!
1974 Spider, 1756cc, points & Carb, 118K California miles

baltobernie
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Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby baltobernie » Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:40 am

If you want to use a synthetic lubricant in your Spider transmission, go with Redline MTL, specifically made for this. I've recently switched to this from GL-1. About the same shifting performance once the car is hot, but the Redline much better for the first five miles. I think I'll drain some out after the season, to check for obvious wear.

fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby fiat218 » Fri Aug 26, 2011 7:09 am

I put in Redline MT90 in my alfa :)
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider

DuganNukem
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 6:22 am
Your car is a: 1972 124 Sport Spider

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby DuganNukem » Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:30 pm

Has anyone tried the Lucas Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil for their manual transmission? It says it has "synthesized additives" that insure less hear rattle, less whine, and longer bearing life. Also exceeds service level API GL-4, API GL-5, API MT-1. I have a 1972 with manual gearbox. Would this stuff be good or bad? Also, is there a recommended flushing agent? I would like to fill it up and run it with something to help clean out any metal. Then drain and replace.

I just bought the car and want to make sure I don't damage anything. Any help would be much appreciated!
Cheers!

DuganNukem
1972 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
2007 Audi RS4
2012 Volkswagen GLI

gm404
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:05 am
Your car is a: 1986 Lada 2107

Re: Manual Transmission Oil

Postby gm404 » Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:11 am

DuganNukem wrote:Has anyone tried the Lucas Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil for their manual transmission? It says it has "synthesized additives" that insure less hear rattle, less whine, and longer bearing life. Also exceeds service level API GL-4, API GL-5, API MT-1. I have a 1972 with manual gearbox. Would this stuff be good or bad? Also, is there a recommended flushing agent? I would like to fill it up and run it with something to help clean out any metal. Then drain and replace.

I just bought the car and want to make sure I don't damage anything. Any help would be much appreciated!


Don't use anything that says GL5 or GL4+ on it.
http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Transaxle_oil.pdf
In normal operation, the sulfur/phosphorous additive forms a black sacrificial coating on the gears and
anything it touches with a little pressure and temperature. As the gears turn, instead of wearing, the
sacrificial coating of additives is peeled off or worn off. This is normal and acceptable in all steel gears.
But when one or more of the surfaces is brass or another soft metal, the sacrificial coating is stronger
than the base metal, and instead of just peeling off, it takes with it a few microns of brass that it is
bound to. (...)
When we use a GL-5 product in a transmission that requires GL-4, we normally find 2 to 4 times as
much copper in the used oil as we would with a GL-4 product (with used oil analysis). Eventually the
synchronizers wear to the point that they no longer make contact with the other half of the cone,
bottoming out before stopping the opposing gear.


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