The Ford Barn

mfirth · 08-01-2018, 01:10 PM

This has probably been beat to death, but, can i use 140 instead of 90 in my 1952 o/d tranny? It leaks a little & i'm think'n the heavier stuff may help . ?
Only driven in 60 to 85 degree weather. Thanks guys !!!!!!!!!!! mike

rotorwrench · 08-01-2018, 03:33 PM

It might help with leaks but it may not help with function. The transmission and overdrive have different fill ports but they still basically share oil. GL-4 is the mild EP API rating that replaced GL-3. GL-5 rated hypoid lube is a no-no in the old BW electric OD transmissions.

The cooler it gets the thinner you use. If it's leaking real bad, you may consider repairing the leak. Most of them weep a bit but not a lot. SAE-140 might make your shifting sluggish.

mfirth · 08-01-2018, 04:07 PM

Thanks rotorwrench ! Is it possible to over fill a B/W trans.?
By the way; love the B 17 avatar. Knew a guy who was a tail gunner in one; the skip ground looped it and whacked the tail section off. My friend crawled out with a few scratches & dizzy from the spinning of the tail section. Thanks again, mike

rotorwrench · 08-01-2018, 04:52 PM

It is possible. They give an exact amount in the Ford manuals. A lot of folks fill till it's at the bottom of the fill port but in most cases that's more than the amount they call out. A person has to measure the amount they put in and most folks don't do it that way.

The B-17 was the Miss U. My Pop and crew flew it over to Italy from the USA and on a lot of their missions over Europe during the war. It made it over and all the way back but was wrecked after it came back to the USA.

Ardun · 08-01-2018, 04:55 PM

GL1 is the proper gear oil. You can get it at NAPA. Leaks will continue until you change the gaskets and or seal, not the grease.

Stryker

rotorwrench · 08-01-2018, 06:48 PM

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The books call out mild EP. GL1 has no EP and was used for worm screw drive rear axles. I will lubricate but won't add any extra pressure protection. A lot of old tractors use it. A person can run it if they want but I'd suggest SAE-50 100-grade aircraft oil like Aero Shell 100 or 100W. That's what I use. SAE 50 motor oil is the same viscosity as SAE-90 gear lube. I've run it for years with no problems. Just don't look for 100W + (or plus) if your looking. They add TCP in there for Lycoming engines and that's just as bad as adding any other EP additives. It's definitely not good for the over running clutch or the phosphor bronze bushings & thrust washer.

08-01-2018, 01:10 PM	#1
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	overdrive gear oil This has probably been beat to death, but, can i use 140 instead of 90 in my 1952 o/d tranny? It leaks a little & i'm think'n the heavier stuff may help . ? Only driven in 60 to 85 degree weather. Thanks guys !!!!!!!!!!! mike

08-01-2018, 03:33 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: overdrive gear oil It might help with leaks but it may not help with function. The transmission and overdrive have different fill ports but they still basically share oil. GL-4 is the mild EP API rating that replaced GL-3. GL-5 rated hypoid lube is a no-no in the old BW electric OD transmissions. The cooler it gets the thinner you use. If it's leaking real bad, you may consider repairing the leak. Most of them weep a bit but not a lot. SAE-140 might make your shifting sluggish.

08-01-2018, 04:07 PM	#3
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: overdrive gear oil Thanks rotorwrench ! Is it possible to over fill a B/W trans.? By the way; love the B 17 avatar. Knew a guy who was a tail gunner in one; the skip ground looped it and whacked the tail section off. My friend crawled out with a few scratches & dizzy from the spinning of the tail section. Thanks again, mike

08-01-2018, 04:52 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: overdrive gear oil It is possible. They give an exact amount in the Ford manuals. A lot of folks fill till it's at the bottom of the fill port but in most cases that's more than the amount they call out. A person has to measure the amount they put in and most folks don't do it that way. The B-17 was the Miss U. My Pop and crew flew it over to Italy from the USA and on a lot of their missions over Europe during the war. It made it over and all the way back but was wrecked after it came back to the USA.

08-01-2018, 04:55 PM	#5
Ardun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Posts: 171	Re: overdrive gear oil GL1 is the proper gear oil. You can get it at NAPA. Leaks will continue until you change the gaskets and or seal, not the grease. Stryker

08-01-2018, 06:48 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: overdrive gear oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The books call out mild EP. GL1 has no EP and was used for worm screw drive rear axles. I will lubricate but won't add any extra pressure protection. A lot of old tractors use it. A person can run it if they want but I'd suggest SAE-50 100-grade aircraft oil like Aero Shell 100 or 100W. That's what I use. SAE 50 motor oil is the same viscosity as SAE-90 gear lube. I've run it for years with no problems. Just don't look for 100W + (or plus) if your looking. They add TCP in there for Lycoming engines and that's just as bad as adding any other EP additives. It's definitely not good for the over running clutch or the phosphor bronze bushings & thrust washer.