1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

tranny oil.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-27-09, 06:16 PM
  #1  
i'm a poser

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
thunkrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: san leandro, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tranny oil.

what is the best MT oil and / or additive mix that you've run? i'm wondering because my synchros are getting old and noisy. everything works still just think its time for an oil change ^^
Old 01-27-09, 06:24 PM
  #2  
Ricer

iTrader: (4)
 
IanS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, Iowa
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I personally prefer Lucas. Made a hell of a difference compared to the Mobil 1 stuff I had in there before (which was only about 6 or 8 months old).
Old 01-27-09, 06:31 PM
  #3  
Famous Taillights

iTrader: (3)
 
FirebirdSlayer666's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I like using Pennzoil Synchromesh. Good shift feel and helps with the old synchro's
Old 01-27-09, 07:12 PM
  #4  
i'm a poser

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
thunkrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: san leandro, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
for the lucas, that's an additive right? i mean how much do you add to the oil.
Old 01-28-09, 08:33 AM
  #5  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bryan, TX
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am running royal purple in mine. helped out a good bit but expensive as hell.
Old 01-28-09, 04:40 PM
  #6  
Ricer

iTrader: (4)
 
IanS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, Iowa
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Lucas has quarts of trans/gear oil at AutoZone or possibly O'Reilly's or wherever else they sell Lucas products. Its not near as expensive as Royal Purple. Havent used RP but hear its very good as well. So in short, no its not an additive only.
Old 01-28-09, 05:00 PM
  #7  
I need a new user title

 
PercentSevenC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Yaizu, Japan
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pennzoil Synchromesh here.

Also, I will confirm that the old trick of running a 50/50 mix of ATF and gear oil does wonders to revive old, worn-out trannies.
Old 01-28-09, 05:21 PM
  #8  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 70 Likes on 64 Posts
It's not quite 50/50. I'd say that tranny has more of a 15% ATF, 75%synchromesh and whatever other oil we put into it. Do you remember? Whatever we did, the shifts improved massively and now only grinds if you shift too fast or downshift into 2nd. It's a heck of a lot better feeling than mine, that has about an 8% ATF and the rest is synchromesh. Mine won't grind, but it's rather hard to shift into 2nd and especially 3rd. 3rd sounds funny and feels loose (in the drivetrain when in that gear). It must have been the PO's most used gear. High mileage but not abused. Yours is more like a low mileage tranny but was abused.
Old 01-28-09, 08:04 PM
  #9  
I need a new user title

 
PercentSevenC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Yaizu, Japan
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If I remember right, it was 50/50 for a while until we drained some of it for some reason that I don't remember. Anyway, the point is that it works really well. That tranny was basically junk a year ago, but I'm still using it and don't plan on switching it out until I get a TII unit to replace it with.
Old 01-28-09, 10:03 PM
  #10  
My 7 is my girlfriend.

iTrader: (5)
 
orion84gsl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Jeff20B
It's not quite 50/50. I'd say that tranny has more of a 15% ATF, 75%synchromesh and whatever other oil we put into it. Do you remember? Whatever we did, the shifts improved massively and now only grinds if you shift too fast or downshift into 2nd. It's a heck of a lot better feeling than mine, that has about an 8% ATF and the rest is synchromesh. Mine won't grind, but it's rather hard to shift into 2nd and especially 3rd. 3rd sounds funny and feels loose (in the drivetrain when in that gear). It must have been the PO's most used gear. High mileage but not abused. Yours is more like a low mileage tranny but was abused.

That is exactly what is going on with my trans. Any hard quick upshift into second or pretty much any downshift into second regardless of rev matching is met with a nice grinding sound. Occasionally I get a smooth downshift but it has to be slow and very careful. I'm buying a parts SA to swap in the trans from it with Sam (dj55b) so I won't be having that problem anymore. The odd thing is after I added Royal Purple to the trans it made the problem more noticeable. I tried some ATF, although I'm not sure exactly how much I put in, but you mentioned it in a thread somewhere so I thought I'd give it a shot in the hopes that my trans would last a little longer. As long as it doesn't grenade on me at Deals Gap in April I'll be happy.
Old 01-29-09, 02:22 AM
  #11  
i'm a poser

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
thunkrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: san leandro, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i will try this out on friday. my tranny doesn't grind yet but it makes noises nonetheless. if it helps i will be truly happy.if it makes it worse, i will hunt you all down!

on another note... i used to clutch lock the car a lot when i first got it. it felt fun, broke traction in the rear by downshifting and not blipping. i did that until my upper control arm... wait not sure of the name.. it connects the axle to the chassis? something like that came off completely and had to be re welded.

also i used to shift without the clutch, and got pretty good at it... but that's stupid to do if you don't have to

all in all the seven is a remarkable car that takes a licking and keeps on tickin
Old 01-29-09, 08:40 AM
  #12  
Lives on the Forum

 
Kentetsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 11,359
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
I originally got the idea of the 50/50 mix from the book "How to hotrod and race your Datsun". This was the combination used by the two main race teams for the 240/260/280Z cars. I've been using this for close to two decades now, and it always works wonders.

The theory is, the ATF contains plenty of lube for the tranny, but also contains some pretty serious detergents that can/will break up the sludge in your synchros and get things moving freely again. Results are quicker/cleaner shifts.

I'm glad to see that others have tried this and benefited from it.


.
Old 01-29-09, 09:50 AM
  #13  
Stigulus Moderatorai

iTrader: (3)
 
Sgt Fox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,105
Received 24 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by FirebirdSlayer666
I like using Pennzoil Synchromesh. Good shift feel and helps with the old synchro's
Does anyone know if this is available up in Canada? Haven't seen it around, and it would probably be better than the castrol hypox-c 80w90 stuff I have.
Old 01-29-09, 10:03 AM
  #14  
My 7 is my girlfriend.

iTrader: (5)
 
orion84gsl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Sgt Fox
Does anyone know if this is available up in Canada? Haven't seen it around, and it would probably be better than the castrol hypox-c 80w90 stuff I have.
I looked for it, albeit not that hard, before I went with Royal Purple. I did not find any. I would suggest calling NAPA or Carquest to see if they carry it. Canadian Tire didn't if I recall correctly.
Old 01-29-09, 10:37 AM
  #15  
RAWR

iTrader: (3)
 
OneRotor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 90024
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I am currently using Royal Purple. I can't pass judgement on it because my hydraulics were apparently on their way out this summer. On my old FB, I switched from the stock gear oil to royal purple and noticed an increase in grinding. The FD crowd swears by RedLine.
Old 01-29-09, 11:40 AM
  #16  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bryan, TX
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by whitey85mtu
I am currently using Royal Purple. I can't pass judgement on it because my hydraulics were apparently on their way out this summer. On my old FB, I switched from the stock gear oil to royal purple and noticed an increase in grinding. The FD crowd swears by RedLine.
Weird, mine dropped off to nothing. I was running a 50/50 mix of ATF and syncromesh and was getting alot of lag in the transmission. (the hard to shift into second/third stuff) I tore it all down and found out that the bearings and syncros were are in good shape, but the collar were warn down. Nothing I can do there outside of get a new transmission and there was no budget for that. I cleaned everything up and put in Royal Purple into the transmission and it works like ALMOST new. The lag is pretty much gone but it still feals like a old transmission. Nothing I can do there I guess. :P
Old 01-31-09, 09:59 AM
  #17  
Senior Member

iTrader: (37)
 
vmarx7@yahoo.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: mass
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
amsoil synthetic here
was impressed with the results i switched all fluids to amsoil
Old 01-31-09, 12:38 PM
  #18  
Famous Taillights

iTrader: (3)
 
FirebirdSlayer666's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Sgt Fox
Does anyone know if this is available up in Canada? Haven't seen it around, and it would probably be better than the castrol hypox-c 80w90 stuff I have.
Yeah I would check Napa, Carquest, AutoZone, Advanced Auto, Schucks, Kragens, O`Reily's, etc. If no luck, go to a GM dealership as they also have a Synchromesh fluid for some GM vehicles
Old 01-31-09, 01:01 PM
  #19  
Environmentally-Hostile

 
Starfox07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ennis/Arlington Texas
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I use 50/50 mix of ATF and gear lube (lucas)

Works phenomenal.
Old 01-31-09, 01:43 PM
  #20  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (2)
 
dj55b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 6,122
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
AMSoil Severe Gear oil in the tranny and rear end here.
Old 01-31-09, 06:01 PM
  #21  
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary

iTrader: (17)
 
twinkletoes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Kentetsu
I originally got the idea of the 50/50 mix from the book "How to hotrod and race your Datsun". This was the combination used by the two main race teams for the 240/260/280Z cars. I've been using this for close to two decades now, and it always works wonders.

The theory is, the ATF contains plenty of lube for the tranny, but also contains some pretty serious detergents that can/will break up the sludge in your synchros and get things moving freely again. Results are quicker/cleaner shifts.

I'm glad to see that others have tried this and benefited from it.


.
I second this. He told me to do this and haven't looked back. Works excellent for me. Thanks bro!
Old 01-31-09, 07:02 PM
  #22  
just chillin
 
my84gslrx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Washingtonville, NY
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dose anyone know exactly how much the tranny holds so i can get an accurate 50/50 mixture
Old 01-31-09, 07:03 PM
  #23  
Ricer

iTrader: (4)
 
IanS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, Iowa
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
1 and 4/5 quarts. Basically 2 quarts.
Old 02-01-09, 12:03 AM
  #24  
i'm a poser

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
thunkrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: san leandro, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
perfect~! i was just about to ask that as well.. it should also be in the fsm and other manuals but i am way too lazy. so here's the deal, my fc friend asked for my help to change his differential on friday. so that's what we did... instead of putting the oil in my car. will have to wait till monday. then i will tell you if it helps with my miniscule problem.

but truthfully thanks everyone, especially ken, you're my hero ... also thanks to billy he's awesome
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jetlag
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
4
09-29-15 06:52 AM
c0rpse
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
16
09-25-15 11:33 AM



Quick Reply: tranny oil.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:55 PM.