Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Hi

I have a Tudor from January 1929.

Does this car have yellow metals in the transmission ?

In another thread of mine about STP it was mentioned that I have to be careful because it contains zinc anti wear ZDDP. And that supplement will affect yellow metals.

Can someone confirm me if I have to be worried if I mix 50/50 STP with 600w oil with respect to those metals. Unless my car do not have them and then there is nothing to be worried of.

Thanks
Daniel

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

I use lucas oil stabilizer in my tranny. Smoothern a baby's bum.

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Why are you complicating a simple situation? If you believe the 600w is too thin then buy a proper thicker oil; forget STP since it worries you. Buy Penrite Transoil 250 which is yellow metal friendly (GL-1) and use it straight or mix with 600W. A one liter bottle costs $16 at Restoration Supply Company.
https://www.restorationstuff.com/

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

only one bush in reverse idler gear, just use 250 sae (600W ) 5 million others have,

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Thank you !!

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

http://www.cletrac.org/media/aux_tra...ns_apart_s.jpg


Doesn't seem to be much brass (thanks to rotorwrench for his explanation)

https://www.machinerylubrication.com...itives-effects

You pay your money and takes your risks.

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Early transmission (1928 and poss. early one) are reported to have bronze bushings on part T (reverse Idler gear)

My March '29 truck doesn't have these - but there is no guarantee this is the original tranny either.

Nice to see in the parts blow-out that THREE needle bearings are provided for the cluster gear. Ford only provided a short and a long AND a spacer between them. Three is better.

Joe K

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Every trans I have had apart had this bushing on the reverse gear. I would say, Yes, Ford transmissions definitely have some yellow metal in them.
Terry

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Thank you to all for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

Great info and very helpful too !!!

Daniel

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

https://imgur.com/yl8sdm8

Had and HG-42 and an OC-3,a lot of fun on tracks..

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Your early 29 might also have bronze thrust washers. Later transmission cases had the thrust surface cast into the case (can't remember dates). Not much thrust with straight cut gears.


In either case, the amount of yellow metal in the transmission is negligible. I wouldn't worry about it as a factor for selecting transmission oil.

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

I agree. The accumulated metallic debris thrown off from clashing gears is the primary source of wear on the bearing surfaces in a straight gear transmission.

Re: Yellow metals in Ford A transmission
 

Yes there are bronze thrust washers on the countershaft in some early transmissions. A lot of parts swapping including a complete transmission could have transpired over the years. If you insist on knowing exactly what metals are in your transmission oil, send a sample in to a testing lab. Most of the construction equipment dealers can help you with this. You can also pull your shift tower off and feel how much endplay there is on your countershaft gear. Very rarely does the bronze bushing on the reverse idler go bad, but it's always possible.