The Ford Barn

40cpe · 02-22-2017, 12:14 PM

The oil in my '38 rear smells really strong, like I remember gear oil smelling long ago. I'm going to drain and refill with 140wt. Would it do harm to flush with diesel or similar after draining the old oil and turn it a few times before draining and filling with the 140wt?

Bruce Lancaster · 02-22-2017, 01:09 PM

Your owner's manual covers it, drain, flush, refill with EP. Substance for flush isn't in there, but kerosene is traditional. Diesel should be fine.

JSeery · 02-22-2017, 01:16 PM

Gear oil does smell strong! It is the sulfur smell of the EP (Extreme Pressure) additives.

Bruce Lancaster · 02-22-2017, 01:25 PM

By the way, the smell can only be removed from your hands with a flamethrower. Your wife is going to suggest that you sleep in the garage on a spread-out newspaper for a while.

40cpe · 02-22-2017, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm using Sta Lube GL4 140 wt. Maybe it won't smell quite as bad. I'll also be using hand protection.

JSeery · 02-22-2017, 01:33 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

By the way, the smell can only be removed from your hands with a flamethrower. Your wife is going to suggest that you sleep in the garage on a spread-out newspaper for a while.

You've got that right!! That stuff is strong and persistent, I rebuild a lot of 9 inch and 8.8 inch rear axles and it takes forever to get that smell out of the shop let along off your hands!!!

JSeery · 02-22-2017, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cpe

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm using Sta Lube GL4 140 wt. Maybe it won't smell quite as bad. I'll also be using hand protection.

The GL4 has less EP additive than GL5 so the smell is not as strong.

42merc · 02-22-2017, 02:51 PM

If the gear oil is original to the '38 it would be fish oil based lube.
In fact all limited slip gear oil used by oem's was oil modified with Sperm Whale oil, until killing whales was banned.

40cpe · 02-22-2017, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 42merc

If the gear oil is original to the '38......

I don't know the history past 5 yrs ago, but I DO know the oil stinks.

Drove it 20 miles to warm up the oil. It is draining now.

02-22-2017, 12:14 PM	#1
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,120	Change oil in banjo rear The oil in my '38 rear smells really strong, like I remember gear oil smelling long ago. I'm going to drain and refill with 140wt. Would it do harm to flush with diesel or similar after draining the old oil and turn it a few times before draining and filling with the 140wt?

02-22-2017, 01:09 PM	#2
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Change oil in banjo rear Your owner's manual covers it, drain, flush, refill with EP. Substance for flush isn't in there, but kerosene is traditional. Diesel should be fine.

02-22-2017, 01:16 PM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Change oil in banjo rear Gear oil does smell strong! It is the sulfur smell of the EP (Extreme Pressure) additives.

02-22-2017, 01:25 PM	#4
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Change oil in banjo rear By the way, the smell can only be removed from your hands with a flamethrower. Your wife is going to suggest that you sleep in the garage on a spread-out newspaper for a while.

02-22-2017, 01:33 PM	#5
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,120	Re: Change oil in banjo rear Thanks for the confirmation. I'm using Sta Lube GL4 140 wt. Maybe it won't smell quite as bad. I'll also be using hand protection.

02-22-2017, 02:51 PM	#8
42merc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buchanan, MI Posts: 697	Re: Change oil in banjo rear If the gear oil is original to the '38 it would be fish oil based lube. In fact all limited slip gear oil used by oem's was oil modified with Sperm Whale oil, until killing whales was banned.