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Old 04-12-2011, 10:16 AM   #1
jim t utah
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Default true 600w oil

trying to find a supplier of true 600w oil also known as steam cylinder oil for rear axle and trans. i don't want any of the new formulated lower viscosity oils 2270 . thanx
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Old 04-12-2011, 10:32 AM   #2
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Default Re: true 600w oil

I found some at a large oil depot in a 5gal bucket. Used/ing it in my A and changed out my 38'pu. On the 38pu I changed the transmission gear oil back to 90-140 as the other was so thick that downshifting was a more difficult then compared to the lighter weight oil.

If you want a bunch of good info from people here on 600w...

http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9550
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Old 04-12-2011, 01:06 PM   #3
Art Bjornestad
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Default Re: true 600w oil

I used to bottle 600W and I got my 55 gallon barrels of Steam Cylinder oil from Mobil. I am not sure that they still put it up. 40 years ago when I was selling it I had to pay more for the plastic quart bottle than the oil that went in it.
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Old 04-12-2011, 01:15 PM   #4
Ken Bull
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Default Re: true 600w oil

I got my 600W from Macs Lockport NY-Hope its true
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Old 04-12-2011, 01:36 PM   #5
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Default Re: true 600w oil

Here ya go, hope this helps.

http://brattons.com/product.asp?P_ID...=any&PT_ID=all
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Old 04-12-2011, 01:36 PM   #6
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Default Re: true 600w oil

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Mobilgear 636
BP Energol GR-XP 680
Castrol Alpha LS680
Shell Omala 680
Texaco Meropa 680
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Old 04-12-2011, 01:46 PM   #7
Bruce Adams
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Default Re: true 600w oil

Many treat this 600W lube like its a sacred fluid.
WHERE is it noted as to be used in the Model A tranny, rear end, or steering in the Instruction Book or other period pieces?
I have found it, I think in one place in a Service Bulletin.
I use the mixture the vendors sell, and it seems to work.
Is there a frequency of bearing problems among those using different lubes?
Thanks for your help.
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Old 04-12-2011, 01:49 PM   #8
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Default Re: true 600w oil

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Originally Posted by Bruce Adams View Post
Many treat this 600W lube like its a sacred fluid.
WHERE is it noted as to be used in the Model A tranny, rear end, or steering in the Instruction Book or other period pieces?
I have found it, I think in one place in a Service Bulletin.
I use the mixture the vendors sell, and it seems to work.
Is there a frequency of bearing problems among those using different lubes?
Thanks for your help.
My belief is people insist on it because these cars are one of the most important things in their life and they want the best for it.

I can understand and relate to this feeling.

However, I am also betting 90W gear oil is just as good for it mechanically if not better. Keeping it in the transmission or differential is another story.
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Old 04-12-2011, 02:10 PM   #9
Special Coupe Frank
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Default Re: true 600w oil

The heavier oils such as 600 W / steam-cylinder oil work better than SAE 140 or 90 for clash-free shifts - the gears stop spinning more quickly.
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Old 04-12-2011, 02:22 PM   #10
Bruce Lancaster
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Default Re: true 600w oil

It may well be fine for the transmission. I think actual Ford spec in most charts and owner's manuals was something like "High quality gear oil"...need to go home and look! At any rate, I don't think 600W was mentioned.
On the rear end, I believe it obsolete, what Ford specified because no better was available...this was about the time that new lubes were being designed for spiral gears which were rapidly replacing spur gears in automobiles...as with the Model A rear axle.
Ford used the SAME rings and pinions in most 1932 Fords as in the Model A, and they updated the lube spec that year, I think because the good stuff had just become available. This was an early form of the modern sort of lube with additives for spiral gears...it was a different number than modern, something like 220 weight, but part of the same family. It was retroactively replaced by the modernish weights of 140 and 90 very shortly after '32.
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Old 04-12-2011, 09:37 PM   #11
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Default Re: true 600w oil

Restoration Supply in Escondido, California has the REAL 600W oil.

600W does work better in the transmissions as it will help with the shifts.

They also have 1200W which works good in steering boxes that tend to leak a little. You have to set it out in the sun for a while or it does not want to pour very well.

Let me know if you can not find them on the internet and I will post contact information.

Chris
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Old 04-12-2011, 10:29 PM   #12
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Default Re: true 600w oil

You can get steam cylinder oil from any industrial lube oil supplier. 600W is a Mobil name brand for 375 viscosity steam cylinder oil. I got both the 460 and 680 viscosity cylinder oils and found the 680 made for smoother shifting in the hot weather here in Texas. One was Texaco and the other Royal Purple oil because that is what the distributor carried. When the weather cooled off the 680 made for hard shifting until the transmission warmed up.
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Old 04-13-2011, 01:21 PM   #13
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Default Re: true 600w oil

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Originally Posted by jim t utah View Post
trying to find a supplier of true 600w oil also known as steam cylinder oil for rear axle and trans. i don't want any of the new formulated lower viscosity oils 2270 . thanx
Steam Cylinder oil (600w) in made by Mobil oil;

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...nder_Oils.aspx

It is NOT the same as Mobilgear 636 which was discontinued on 2007 and is now known as Mobilgear 600 XP 680.

http://www.exxonmobil.com/Lubes/Mobi...ductivity.html

Where specifically to buy it, Granger has it for one;

Mobil 600W

As does other places.

As for which is better, I'll let others battle it out.
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Old 04-13-2011, 03:42 PM   #14
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Default Re: true 600w oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by RonC View Post
Mobilgear 636
BP Energol GR-XP 680
Castrol Alpha LS680
Shell Omala 680
Texaco Meropa 680
These are what I had best luck with but 600W is 375 in viscosity which is significantly less thick than 680. This viscosity is cSt at 40C, centi-Stokes at 104F.

Some have said here that back in the day 600W was thicker than it is today. I don't know but I do know the 680 viscosity oil is what worked best for me as far as shifting. Double clutching wasn't even necessary. All I had to do was keep my clutch to the floor an extra second or so.
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Old 04-13-2011, 04:19 PM   #15
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Default Re: true 600w oil

How do you know 600W was 375? I have been using texaco 650T 1000. Never had a problem but it's too thick for winter in the north east. My next pail will be 680
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Old 04-13-2011, 04:37 PM   #16
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Default Re: true 600w oil

I have used Shell Omala 680 gear oil for a long time. I have used it in all the 40 or so Model 'A's I have restored throughout the years and in my own vehicles with great success. Just diff and gearbox. No steering boxes. It is an EP oil, not too thin and not too thick. About the consistency of 'runny honey' on a hot day. Sorry to get so technical.
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Old 04-13-2011, 05:08 PM   #17
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Default Re: true 600w oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by RonC View Post
How do you know 600W was 375? I have been using texaco 650T 1000. Never had a problem but it's too thick for winter in the north east. My next pail will be 680
I want to support MrTexas' contention that "600W" is a brand name and does NOT signify that the viscosity is 600 by any measurement protocol.

A different but equally widespread confusion relates to the "W" in motor oils, such as 10W-40, etc. Here, the "W" stands for "WINTER", not "weight".

Steve
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Old 04-13-2011, 08:57 PM   #18
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: true 600w oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Special Coupe Frank View Post
The heavier oils such as 600 W / steam-cylinder oil work better than SAE 140 or 90 for clash-free shifts - the gears stop spinning more quickly.
Why do some folks want to waste engine power by churning around some concoction of GOOPY, FOAMING, overly heavy trans/diff oils just so they can shift quicker??? What's the hurry, just pause a little longer and it will shift easily. 90 Wt or 140Wt gear oil does very well in a Model A.
By the way, double clutching does NOTHING to gain shifting speed on upshifts. Double clutching is only for down shifting, as when the clutch is out, you learn to rev the engine so that you are in synch with the next lower gear. Trust me, I KNOW what I am talking about!
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Old 04-13-2011, 09:13 PM   #19
Art Bjornestad
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Default Re: true 600w oil

EP oils are for spiral cut gears where you want the oil to move away quickly. "A" trannys have straight gears that need a heavy oil to cushion the impact on this type of gear face.
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Old 04-13-2011, 10:42 PM   #20
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Default Re: true 600w oil

I was reading tiny tips for your model A book and on page 106 it states that lubriplate #8 is the same viscosity as "the old time steam oil" know as 600w. I dont know how old the entry in the book is so I am not sure if you can still get it. just a thought. I did find this link
http://www.lubriplate.com/pdf/pds/4_...nd_No.%208.pdf
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