520 Transmission Oil for my DD
I have seen TONS of thoughts on fluild for my 520 but thought I would ask for my specific needs.
1)Need to work at as cold as -10F or so (as I am in Toronto Canada -20C to -25C, for a week or so a year)
2) Car is DD,with 65K miles on the clock ( 87 TI )
-Currently using circa 50/50 Mobil 1 5W30/stock 5W30(from factory fill) since 1988. It works OK, once a month, or so Reverse to 1st is stiff for one shift and goes away.
-What I have available locally, various dino and synthetics 5W30, Royal Purple, Penzoil + GM syncromesh (friction modified).
- I also have 2 L GM syncromesh friction modified on my shelf.
I have also read that people fill the tranny to the fill line and then lift her up on the driver's side to add another 1/2 quart.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chromguy
-Currently using circa 50/50 Mobil 1 5W30/stock 5W30(from factory fill) since 1988.
Keep using it.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Thanks Harry,
Oh, the rear disk brakes I bought from you are working great! I need to create new dust shields for the hubs, but I will create a new thread to show my bronze shields!
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
redline MTL may be worth a try.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bfarroo
redline MTL may be worth a try.
I would agree. I'm worried that the lack of various additives in current oil is probably effecting our transmissions.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Plain engine oil, overfilled, is preferred, I run #30 on mine but others like thinner.
The trans intermediate shaft appreciates the viscosity and overfilling.
1989 and newer with the fiber synchros should have fiber compatible fluid.
Synthetic can, not always, negatively effect synchros and their ability to synchronize.
Synchro rattle can be reduced, or eliminated, with viscosity.
Thanks
Randy
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
Plain engine oil, overfilled, is preferred, I run #30 on mine but others like thinner.
The trans intermediate shaft appreciates the viscosity and overfilling.
1989 and newer with the fiber synchros should have fiber compatible fluid.
Synthetic can, not always, negatively effect synchros and their ability to synchronize.
Synchro rattle can be reduced, or eliminated, with viscosity.
Thanks
Randy
All correct- Matter of fact back in the day when there was customer complaint about gear rattle 15W-40 was the fill of choice per Mopar at the time.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
I've been running 5w20 in my 568, seems to work fine.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
Plain engine oil, overfilled, is preferred, I run #30 on mine but others like thinner.
The trans intermediate shaft appreciates the viscosity and overfilling.
1989 and newer with the fiber synchros should have fiber compatible fluid.
Synthetic can, not always, negatively effect synchros and their ability to synchronize.
Synchro rattle can be reduced, or eliminated, with viscosity.
Thanks
Randy
How much overfill?
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
All of the above are good choices. I switched to Pennzoil Synchromesh in my daily and feel the shift quality improved somewhat, particularly when cold.
Regarding overfilling, if you jack the driver's side up and fill it to the bottom of the fill plug hole, you can fit ~3 quarts in.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
For the cold weather stuff, I would go with what the guy in Winterpeg uses ^^^^
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Force Fed Mopar
I've been running 5w20 in my 568, seems to work fine.
There have been several threads on this before, but with the removal of ZDDP from motor oil, most deem it not proper for manual transmissions...
I currently run Pennzoil Synchromesh because it is locally available...
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
shadow88
For the cold weather stuff, I would go with what the guy in Winterpeg uses ^^^^
I have been to Winterpeg in January at -273.15C with a strong humid wind......not fun. OK it may have been a bit warmer than that!
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chromguy
How much overfill?
About a pint.
Just my opinion, but cold weather shift quality would not be a priority for me and where I live it gets cold!!
If the viscosity is so thin to shift easy on a cold morning, its possibly not adequate when warm, placing the trans. intermediate shaft in jeopardy. The possible penalty of warming up the engine and trans for a few seconds when cold is not worth the possible intermediate shaft durability trade off driving for hours on end after warm up.
Thanks
Randy
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
About a pint.
Just my opinion, but cold weather shift quality would not be a priority for me and where I live it gets cold!!
If the viscosity is so thin to shift easy on a cold morning, its possibly not adequate when warm, placing the trans. intermediate shaft in jeopardy. The possible penalty of warming up the engine and trans for a few seconds when cold is not worth the possible intermediate shaft durability trade off driving for hours on end after warm up.
Thanks
Randy
I understand your point and agree, which is why I am considering the RedLine MTL fluid. It is claimed to be engineered to have a small viscosity change over the transmission operating range.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
I added 1.5L 5W30 Mobil 1 as it was the only oil I have in the shop. So now the blend is approx 75%Mobil 1 5W30 and 25%Dino 5W30 ( from the original factory fill).
The shifting sucks but will get me back and forth to work for a few days. I will report back
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
If you haven't already added a drain plug I think its good option to consider.
I've changed mine many times over the years trying different lubes.
I've been "blending" my own engine oil for years too.
Thanks
Randy
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
c2xejk
There have been several threads on this before, but with the removal of ZDDP from motor oil, most deem it not proper for manual transmissions...
I currently run Pennzoil Synchromesh because it is locally available...
Hmm, in which case that would apply to any engine oil, regardless of weight, or conventional and synthetic? Other than race oils possibly like VR1, which aren't usually easy to find in light weights.
I have 3 qts of Valvoline Synchromesh in the shop, probably should go ahead and use that and try it out. I was just a little worried because Cliff said he didn't like it in our trannies, but if others are running it without ill effects...
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
If you haven't already added a drain plug I think its good option to consider.
I've changed mine many times over the years trying different lubes.
I've been "blending" my own engine oil for years too.
Thanks
Randy
I was thinking of drilling and tapping as it is in the car. I seen a writeup by Turbovanman that seemed easy. I believe I have a 3/8"npt tap in the shop.
- - - Updated - - -
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Force Fed Mopar
Hmm, in which case that would apply to any engine oil, regardless of weight, or conventional and synthetic? Other than race oils possibly like VR1, which aren't usually easy to find in light weights.
I have 3 qts of Valvoline Synchromesh in the shop, probably should go ahead and use that and try it out. I was just a little worried because Cliff said he didn't like it in our trannies, but if others are running it without ill effects...
I did read today that Cliff likes the RedLine MTL.
Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD
Quote:
Pennzoil® Synchromesh Fluid is a manual transmission fluid designed for certain manual transaxles and manual transmissions used by General Motors or Chrysler. Pennzoil® Synchromesh manual transmission fluid is formulated with high-quality paraffinic base stocks, a fluidity modifier, multifunctional performance additives, corrosion inhibitors, a foam suppressor and a shear stable viscosity index improver additive. It provides excellent oxidation stability, low-temperature performance, excellent synchronizer performance and compatibility with yellow metals, such as bronze, brass and copper components found in manual transaxles and transmissions. Synchromesh manual transmission fluid will satisfactorily lubricate General Motors or Chrysler manual transaxles and transmissions from -40 C to +150 C.
The synchromesh fluid is designed for transaxles originally requiring motor oil or ATF from the factory (it's factory fill for some newer GM and Chrysler units). I have used it for years without experiencing any bearing or intermediate shaft failures (I inspected the transaxle when it was out for a clutch R/R and did not note any abnormal wear).
While I agree in a warmer climate (or a summer only vehicle) that a thicker viscosity oil would be ideal, in winter climates (particularly Winnipeg, which can get down to -43°C) I rather have an oil that can provide adequate lubrication at sub-zero temperatures and give decent shift quality.
In my turbo car (which doesn't see winter use), I run Redline MTL. I use Synchromesh in my beater as it's cheaper than the Redline fluid.