Series one gearbox oil

[polynesiac]

HI! I'm new to these forums and have searched around quite a bit in the series forums and have learned a ton.

I recently purchased a 1955 series one 86" and am very happy with my decision to do so.

So...my question is this: What type/grade of oil goes into the gearbox?

would this work?: Lucas Heavy Duty 85/140 Gear Oil

would regular motor oil work? (just out of curiousity)

or is there some other type of special gearbox oil that is eluding me?

I just want to be sure I'm pouring the right things into the right places.

Thanks in advance!

[a109]

The 85/140 would be too heavy. Motor oil like wise isn't recommended. 80/90 wieght is usually used.

John

[jp-]

Gearbox, swivel balls, diffs, steering relay - all take 80-90.

I use 140 in my steering boxes. They seem to leak even with new seals...
140 will go a little longer before leaking out. But it's too thick for regular service in the transmission.

Of course any oil is better than no oil. And Land Rovers are famous for getting home with some pretty weird oil running in them, such as bananna oil, peanut oil, etc... It depends on the availability. If you're in the jungle and you need oil, you'll just have to make due.

[Tim Smith]

Uh oh!

I've been running Lucas 80/140 in my transmission, transfer, rear and front for the last 10,000 to 20,000 miles. WHAT HAVE I DONE!?!

LOL, I'm sure I haven't done much more than slow the leaks and cold weather shifting. But if I'm wrong, I'm hoping someone will tell me.

My transfer case had leaked down 2 quarts and was refilled with the same thing last weekend. I know, because like any good series owner, I did it myself. Nothing like the smell of 90 weight in the morning.

PS; Let us know if this is really bad because I've been recommending it to all my local series friends. That oil is great if you like to talk to your side kick on the highway.

Cheers,
Tim (trying to get into high range)

[a109]

You won't kill it with 85/140 but as you say in cold weather it will shift real slow.
In sustained extreme cold weather heavy oil can be a problem in that it has been known to throw to the sides of the box and not flow back down to lube the gears. Few of us are likely to experience that however.

John

[polynesiac]

Thanks for the replies!

I also like the idea of using the thicker oil to slow the leaks, and it never really gets all that cold around where I live anyway.

Off to read more about series rover bits and tool around around in mine....

[TedW]

...gearbox, swivels, OD, TC, etc. Leakage seems no worse than other Rovers I've seen. Winter performance is much, much better, and everything runs cooler in the hot.
I picked up a Rocky Mountain aluminum transfer case cover and my TC leaks stopped. Nice excuse to spend fifty bucks or so.

[Mike Koch]

For those of you without significant existing oil leaks, give the Amsoil gear oil a try. I've noticed a significant improvement with my Series III drivetrain during cold temperatures. For those of you with significant exisiting oil leaks...fix them, then try the Amsoil.



"If it's not leaking, it's empty" is not a good motto!

Mike Koch

[Pinze]

I've been looking for it for sometime.

[Les Parker]

Hello there,

140w is normally an agricultural grade, so a farm supply company would be a good place to check out. Like putting treacle in there though!