Oil for Columbia rear end

[1stford]

I have a Columbia rear end and have been doing some reading about the oil to put in it. Seems there are a lot of opinions on this subject of should rear end oil be GL4 or GL 5, but wanted to know what everyone else is using. I bought this Valvoline gear oil and it looks like it's a GL 5.

I did just order a GL4 from VP racing for the transmission as it seems GL4 is the only way to go for top loaders.


https://shop.valvolineglobal.com/pro..._BwE&Size=1+QT

[Kube]

[QUOTE=1stford;2431953]I have a Columbia rear end and have been doing some reading about the oil to put in it. Seems there are a lot of opinions on this subject of should rear end oil be GL4 or GL 5, but wanted to know what everyone else is using. I bought this Valvoline gear oil and it looks like it's a GL 5.

I did just order a GL4 from VP racing for the transmission as it seems GL4 is the only way to go for top loaders.


You NEED the GL4. GL5 will attack the soft metals in the Columbia assembly.

[cdan34]

Useing a Colombia in my 34 Ford I prepared for a 500 mile trip. I went from 90 to 140 weight thinking greater protection. Didn't work well, after 50 miles it froze and big disappointment. After analyzing problem and repairs I am now using Valvoline 75-90.
It may also be important to note that I have this rear end in a 34 Cabriolet, 34 5w Coupe both 3:78 and 39 Lincoln Zephyr 4.44 ratios. On top of that I'm using Ford 9 inch axels with splined end gear on all cars.

John Connolly has helped a lot in this process !


Good Luck

[glennpm]

[QUOTE=Kube;2431959]

Originally Posted by 1stford

You NEED the GL4. GL5 will attack the soft metals in the Columbia assembly.

[1stford]

I have not been successful in locating a GL 4 85-140. Is there a specific product you all are using.

[1stford]

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Originally Posted by cdan34

Useing a Colombia in my 34 Ford I prepared for a 500 mile trip. I went from 90 to 140 weight thinking greater protection. Didn't work well, after 50 miles it froze and big disappointment. After analyzing problem and repairs I am now using Valvoline 75-90.
It may also be important to note that I have this rear end in a 34 Cabriolet, 34 5w Coupe both 3:78 and 39 Lincoln Zephyr 4.44 ratios. On top of that I'm using Ford 9 inch axels with splined end gear on all cars.

John Connolly has helped a lot in this process !


Good Luck

Thanks for the info. Do you know if that is a GL-4? When I talked with John and asked him he said 85-140 but did not state if it had to be a GL-4 or not.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 1stford

Thanks for the info. Do you know if that is a GL-4? When I talked with John and asked him he said 85-140 but did not state if it had to be a GL-4 or not.

Here ya go, Amazon:
Penn Grade 1, 77296, Classic Multi-Purpose GL-4 Gear Oil SAE 80W-90, 1 Quart (4 Pack)

[nelsb01]

If you have a Tractor Supply near by, they have oils and lubes for all sorts of older vehicles.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by nelsb01

If you have a Tractor Supply near by, they have oils and lubes for all sorts of older vehicles.

Yes, typically I agree. However, for this, neither the local Tractor Supply, Farm & Fleet or John Deere could help.

[1952henry]

O’Reillys also has straight grade GL4 lubes available. Very affordable there.

[glennpm]

Originally Posted by 1952henry

O’Reillys also has straight grade GL4 lubes available. Very affordable there.

I bought it by the gallon there too. It is straight weight 140 which has worked fine for me but not for cdan34.

[Brian]

the Lincoln/Columbia I have has hypoid gears so I use a GL1 hypoid oil in it sold by Penrite. My other columbia I use a GL1 85-140 oil, also sold by Penrite. I dunno if you Americans can get Penrite....

[cas3]

I think GL1 is mineral oil. Used in some big trucks trans, and recommended for willys jeeps. Good for soft metals, I buy it at napa

[35fordtn]

This is my go to for my cars

https://www.amazon.com/Millers-Oils-...s%2C101&sr=8-3

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

This is my go to for my cars

https://www.amazon.com/Millers-Oils-...s%2C101&sr=8-3

Oh, thanks. Never heard of this brand, but will check them out.

Be wary of oils in big parts stores listed like this: GL4/GL5. This is a hybrid that claims to be brass part safe, but that is not the case.

Find straight GL4. Sta-Lube is also a manufacturer of GL-1 and GL-4 gear oils in various weights.

[Kube]

Post #7 and #11 have you covered. The stuff I use, post #7, is considerable cheaper.
Either are readily available via Amazon.

[1stford]

I'm circling back on this topic. I ordered the Penn Grade GL-4 80W-90 based on the recommendations in a couple replies, thanks for that. I had read that his is also what should be used in the 3 speed top loader. Is that correct, same oil for both trans and rear end with Columbia overdrive?

Thanks,

[glennpm]

Originally Posted by 1stford

I'm circling back on this topic. I ordered the Penn Grade GL-4 80W-90 based on the recommendations in a couple replies, thanks for that. I had read that his is also what should be used in the 3 speed top loader. Is that correct, same oil for both trans and rear end with Columbia overdrive?

Thanks,

Yes, the transmission also has brass parts which are not degraded with the GL-4 lube. I use the The GL-4 85-90 in my '39 transmission and the 140 weight in my Columbia. I did have GKL-4 140 in my transmission a few years back but found it to be too thick in the cool and cold weather.

[rotorwrench]

Sta-Lube is available from NAPA and a few other sources. 85/90 GL4 is good. I still use AeroShell 100W which is SAE 50 ashless dispersant motor oil with no +plus additive. It has the same viscosity as SAE 90 gear lube due to the way they are graded. I still do enough aircraft work to have the stuff available to me.

Most gear boxes, rear axles, and tractors don't need high pressure additives at all. Hypoid axles only need moderate pressure additive. Back in the day, they used GL3 but that was replaced by GL4 a long time ago. GL5 is common for all hypoids now since they have no soft metal bearings anymore. A lot of modern transmissions went to using ATF even though they are manual transmissions. They always have a reason for doing that and it's usually the materials they use for synchronizers or certain wear surfaces. Brass is slowly affected by the acidic HP additives but a lot of old transmissions have some babbitt or phosphor bronze bushings/thrust bearings that are more affected by the acid.