Toploader and Synthetic Gear Oils

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Hi Guys:
As wintertime approaches, I will be doing the usual fluid drains and cleaning tasks that all of us who are Cobra Winter Shut-Ins typically perform. (Ok you Guys in the Deep South and warmth... keep your fingers off of the keyboards)

So, in the past, I have used Castrol 75W-90 dinosaur grade gear oil in my 1966 Toploader. This year I was thinking about trying for the first time a Synthetic or Syntehetic blend trannie gear oil like The Royal Purple Max Gear or the RedLine.

Has anyone tried either of these in their TopLoaders?

I would really like to hear use reports and if the shifter seems more "snick snicky" with their use? (especially in cooler weather when the gear oil is thickened)

Thanks in Advance Guys!

[rdorman]

I use Red Line MT90 in my toploader and like it. Not a profound difference all though the shifts did seem slightly lighter and quicker. I switched to it about 8 months ago and have put a few thousand on it since.

Rick

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Hi Rick:
That is good news. I was wonderding if the slippery nature of the Synthetic gear oil would negativly effect synchro engagement. It appears in your case not to have done that?
My shifting in colder weather is "resistant" and the stick is "catchy" in between first and second. At the oil heats up in cold weather, due to use this resistance subsides.

Cold being say 40 Deg. F or less.

Thanks for the input Rick.
Much Appreciated.

[rdorman]

I had the same concern, but Red Line took that into account. Mine is resistant to second to first regardless of temperature. More likely because it is an old box. I also doesn't seem to matter hot or cold. Redline helped slightly. Up is no problem!
Enjoy.

For the rear I thought long and hard about lube in the powerloc unit. Ended up with Moroso Climbing Gear oil and GM anti slip additive (two tubes) from Jegs. Works perfectly.

Rick

[REDSC400]

That is good news.

For the PowerLock, I like you, use Moroso Climbing Gear Oil. I add to that the Amalie Limited Slip Differentail Additive which is probably alot like the GM stuff you are using. This is all called out and explained in the ERA manual.

On my trannie, the 1 to 2 or 2 to 1 shift can be slightly difficult, especially in cold weather or when the oil is thick.

The 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 shifts are smooth as glass in general.

[rdorman]

From your discription, sounds like you are driving my car! I haven't spent the time to diagnose, could be a number of things and really isn't all that bad.
Rick

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Yah Rick... it does sound like our two trannies have the same characteristics. Back in the day (1967), I had a TopLoader in my Fairlane 500 XL which also had the balkiness between first and second, more often encountered on the downshift.

Do you think that there is a shift rail linkage adjustment that needs to be performed or do you think it could be the 1-2 Cam and Shaft and or the 1-2 shift rail?

I am not so well versed in the internals of the TopLoader. David Kee is the best person to troubleshoot our concerns.

BTW, in the last two issues of Musclecar Enthusiast (Nov and Dec of 2004) they have been running an indepth series of articles on the TopLoader, written by David Randal with David Kee providing technical expertise. Nice set of articles.

[rdorman]

I would love to see those articles!

Beats me what the issue is. I am going to start with a careful linkage adjustment. If that doesn't work, pull it and carefully inspect it. If nothing there, put it back in and make sure everything is dialed in correctly.

David Kee is a good one. If I need help, he is who I would call.

Rick

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If I get a chance I will scan those articles this weekend and send you a copy. Howzz Zat?

[rdorman]

Kewl.