I found that you have to pick the right synthetic oil for your gearbox.
They have versions that have friction control additives, and some that
don't. You also have to pick the right viscosity--gearboxes don't heat
up as much as engines do, so the oil doesn't thin as much. I use the
Redline oil without the friction additives (what the nomenclature is I
don't remember). Works great on my trans and fine with my diff (Detroit
locker).
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Wheeler [mailto:jwheeler@robus.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 1999 9:47 AM
To: Jeff Snook; fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Synthetic Lubricants
Jeff, Hardy Prentice will be your best source of information on
synthetics,
as I know he has used Red Line for many years (with much success, I
might
add).
One personal note of experience. At one time I did try synthetic gear
lube
in my TR-4 transmission. It did not shift right - ground the gears and
felt like the synchros were shot every time I shifted (synchros were
brand
new). After that race, I drained the synthetic and replaced it with
Valvoline 50 Wt. (my standard gearbox oil) and next time out it shifted
fine. From this experience, I concluded that the synthetic oil was
perhaps
'too slippery' and would not allow the synchro rings to properly 'lock
up'
on the gears. I never tried any further development.
Good Luck!
At 12:15 PM 2/23/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear Vintage Racers,
>
>We are considering switching to synthetics in our Triumph TR3
>motors and have questions so I thought I would first access the
>information available through these two lists. We have used
>standard petroleum based lubricants in the gear box and motor for
>many years without any noticeable problems.
>
>1. What are the advantages of synthetic oils and why does it
>appear everyone is using them in their race cars?
>
>2. Does synthetic motor oil require a different, "run in"
>procedure on a fresh motor?
>
>3. Are synthetics compatible with standard oils or do you have
>to do some exotic flushing procedures before switching?
>
>4. Any problems running synthetic gear oil in an overdrive
>transmission?
>
>5. Does anyone know some technical people at any of the
>manufacturers, i.e. Red Line, etc.?
>
>Anxiously awaiting your replies.
>
>Jeff Snook
>Battle of Britain Racing
>Bowling Green, Ohio
>
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