muncie trans fluid

[gregg wildermuth]

Just wondering if anyone knows of a thinner trans fluid for muncie 4-speeds that will work OK in cold weather. The 90 weight is very thick - making shifting in cold weather difficult. I don't want to risk internal damage, but surely there is a thinner fluid that will work. Any sugestions appreciated.

Thanks, Gregg

[Patrick H.]

Re: muncie trans fluid

Gregg,

I've used RedLine and Mobil1 synthetic and they are much easier to shift when cold. I have them in my 1994 pickup here in Michigan, and it made a big difference in winter.

I had RedLine in my Muncie of my 71 for several years. I just drained it and am rebuilding the trans. When I put the synthetic fluid in a 115,000 mile transmission, I eventually found LOTS of leaks. Now at 128,000 miles I'm rebuilding and reinstalling new seals to fix the leaks. I'm going to put regular dino oil back in, as I don't want to do this again. I'd likely be OK with the new seals, but I don't want to chance it.

Patrick

[Duke W.]

Re: muncie trans fluid

Redline makes a lot of products. The one you want for the transmission is "75W-90NS". This is a GL-5 without limited slip additive. Their 75W-90
has the limited slip additive.

Look at their website.

Duke

[Patrick H.]

Re: muncie trans fluid

I used the Redline MTL in my Muncie.
My suspicion is that any of the synthetics would have leaked.

Patrick

[Mike Cobine]

Re: muncie trans fluid

I used Amsoil 90w synthetic in a Borg Warner Super T10 I road raced. In 4 years averaging 6 weekends a year (24 weekends), it came apart in 4 years. The synchronizers were worn badly, the bearings were loose, gear teeth showed wear on a couple of gears, and it vibrated badly.

It required a major rebuild.

During the 70s I knew lots of people who used Amsoil because of its ease of shifting in the winter and they usually autocrossed their cars heavily through the year along with driving them often (they were cars back then, remember?). But my experience indicates either it couldn't last under full-fledge racing or the formula from the '70s changed by the late 80s.

In the Muncie I ran Valvoline 80w90 with no problems during the next two years of about 16 weekends.

YMMV

[Duke W.]

Re: muncie trans fluid

Redline MTL is a 70W-75 GL-4, which is equivalent to ATF specified for many modern manual transmissions. I use it in my Cosworth Vega and Mercedes.

The GM recommended lubricant for the old Warner and Muncie four-speeds is MIL-L-2105D. The commercial equivalent is 80W-90 GL-5.

More info on motor oil and gear oil at www.api.org

Duke

[Duke W.]

PS: MTL IS a synthetic base *NM*

[Mike Cobine]

Re: muncie trans fluid

I believe this is what a friend was using in a pair of ITB and ITC Fiats and we ended up rebuilding the transmissions every two years. Granted Fiat isn't a "rock crusher" when it comes to transmissions, but a Fiat engine isn't a small block or big blick, either.