Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

HI;

Can anyone tell me what the equivalent to the 400W oil that the model A venders sell and yes oil goes bad as it gets like very old milk that has curdled, but what I'm looking for is the equivalent to the 400W gear oil that they sell for the Model A's.

As I want to get out of buying from the venders with either the 400W oil or the equivalent to that oil that you can buy in any parts store, as I called my parts store and they couldn't get the 250 gear oil that is mentioned on the 400W bottles.

As they told me to use the 80/90 gear oil instead and that got me thinking would that oil work for the rear end and the steering box, and Transmission of a Late 31 Model A.

As I'm just trying to save myself some money in the shipping of the 400W oil from the venders as I don't want to pay for the shipping on the oil so please let me know as to what to do here.

Reggiedog

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

The best for your transmission, rear end, and steering box is 85W-140 G5 gear oil. This is far superior to what you will get from the vendors. It will protect your machinery from wear. It is a modern oil. Ford would have used it if it was available in 1930.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Thanks I will try and see if I can get that around here.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

400W ??? I’am sure you mean 600W ?!
My 85w-140 story, 2 years ago I changed too the over the counter muli - weight oil. It was a little noisy in the rearend, this year I changed the oil and I mixed Bratton’s 600w with some 600w steam clylinder oil. The rearend is now quiet again ! So just maybe you could locate some 600w steam clylinder oil ( up north ?) and mix it with store bought 85w-140 ? Maybe hit miss guys or old tractor guys would have the black stinky 600w steam clylinder oil ?!

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Big Hammer, Years ago people would put sawdust in their gearbox or rear end to quiet them down. Especially when they were going to sell it.

If you want to use steam oil, mix it with 85W-140 G5. The G5 oil has additives that will prolong the life of your rear end. The additives coat the metal parts and then wear instead of the metal. As the additives wear away new deposits are added. So the metal parts never come in contact. This is on a molecular basis.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

At work we use Mobilgear 600 XP460 as a 600w steam oil equivalent. It's decently thick - thicker than 85w140

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Straight SAE 140 isn't as easy to get these days. I used to use Texaco Thuban 140 for an assembly lube on the aircraft engines. Most SAE lubes are GL1 now days. GL4 & GL5 are generally multi-vis now days.

Some vendor lubes are blended by them using available gear lubes with viscosity builders like STP.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Use the 85/90 that your parts store suggested. You are talking about normal gears, just like are in your modern car, not some highly unusual system, as rocket science. Modern oils are superior to old oils, and hold up just fine driving at 80 MPH, or higher on the freeways today. Will your A ever see those speeds?

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

I think this is one of those things that is overthought way too much.These are just old,simple,gearsets,straight in the trans and spiral cut in the rear.They just need something slippery to get between to lube them.Just how high tech can they be,when Ford used tallow oil to lube them back then?If the transmission is noisy using 140 then there are other things wrong with it.If it still operates smoothly add some STP or motor honey to act as a muffler for the noise.As for myself,I refuse to believe that the 90 weight gear oil I use in the 4 inch wide bull gears in my D 6 dozer isn't good enough for my Model A transmission.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

The only real issue that you might have with using a thinner grade is that it'll take longer for you to shift. Some people claim that when they use thinner grades that they have leaks and other problems, so it's up to you.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Tam's sells best replacement oil

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

This is the closest thing to the 600W that you can get today.

600W was a trademark brand of Mobil Oil back in the day. That's who is selling the Mobilgear 600 XP460 today.

The 460 number is the oil viscosity in the ISO system, ISO 460. That is equivalent roughly SAE 140.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Maybe we should all stop buying anything from the venders. I am sure Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, Oreillys would be good for replacement parts. And we laugh at the so called farmer fixes. I feel lucky we have Model A venders to supply parts and oil. Mom and Pop suppliers are leaving the business and we have seen some of the big guys leave in recent years. Your call.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

My research found that the 600w gear oil is equivalent to sae 250. I am using a pricey racing oil that is probably way overkill. Torco RGO gl-6 sae 250

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

I've used Lucas Oil Stabilizer in my A transmission for many years now. Not for supply issues, I have a half gallon or more of the 600W goop sitting in the shop, but I didn't like it. The Lucas stuff is slick. Makes the shifting very smooth.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

I have found that Lucas makes decent lubricants overall.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Henry Ford worked a long time in steam locomotive shops before he decided to get into the auto manufacturing business in 1902. He was very slow to try "new" things. He kept the two speed band controlled planetary transmission through the end of Model T production in early 1927. He really didn't want to use a sliding gear type transmission but his son and engineers finally convinced him to change. It was the only way to get more speed and reliability out of the cars at the time.

The new spur gear transmission with a dog type high gear engagement was tricky to manage without double clutching and learning to adjust rpms at shift points. This was one reason he didn't want to use it. They used the same lubricant in it that he had been accustomed to in the locomotive shops in order to help tame the grinding of gear sets. Henry drove one of the first prototypes through a test track they had at the airport next to the Rouge and made the final decision to install the shock absorbers on all the cars. He must have been OK with the transmission at that point because they went in to full production with it.

Re: Model a oil equivalent to 400w oil gear oil
 

Hey Rotorwrench, I think you have Henry Ford mixed up with Walter P. Chrysler who did indeed work in the steam railroad industry prior to getting into automobiles.

Henry worked as an apprentice machinist at Flowers Brothers Machine shop in Detroit then hired on with Edison Illuminating Company of Detroit in 1891 as an engineer working up to chief engineer. It was during this time that he met Thomas Edison who inspired him to build an automobile from a sketch he had shown Edison. It was while he was working at Edison that he built the Quadricycle in his shed. In 1899, he resigned from the Edison Illuminating Company and, with others, organized the Detroit Automobile Company, his first foray into the fledgling automotive industry.