I purchased a NOS (new old stock) Ford Cobra 8.8 diff from a local guy that bought it from an auction where a Ford dealership had recently closed. Had a chance to see it in person before buying but he didn't want me to open up the cover since it had oil in it. Everything else looked original including a Motorcraft tag, no sign of wear, factory plugs, etc. The metal tag indicates it was built in 1997.
Got it home and drained it to find a very odd looking white/tan fluid and thick white substance collecting on the bottom of the diff. The amount of oil seemed to be what a typical "factory fill" would be and it had the odor of gear oil though a little funky. Until I can show it to a local transmission expert I trust to see what he thinks, I figured I'd post here for input. I currently have this same type of diff with the Ford "Trak Lok" in a different gear ratio, and I know you need to add a small bottle (8 ounces?) of friction modifier. Could that be what has caused this oil to congeal, turn white and smell funky? Does gear oil do this if unused for 20 years?
I'm thinking of pulling out the ring gear to clean it all out, and then soak the bearings in mineral spirits and re-oil them before reinstalling. Going to put new rubber axle seals in it as well due to age.
Thanks for any input
Got it home and drained it to find a very odd looking white/tan fluid and thick white substance collecting on the bottom of the diff. The amount of oil seemed to be what a typical "factory fill" would be and it had the odor of gear oil though a little funky. Until I can show it to a local transmission expert I trust to see what he thinks, I figured I'd post here for input. I currently have this same type of diff with the Ford "Trak Lok" in a different gear ratio, and I know you need to add a small bottle (8 ounces?) of friction modifier. Could that be what has caused this oil to congeal, turn white and smell funky? Does gear oil do this if unused for 20 years?
I'm thinking of pulling out the ring gear to clean it all out, and then soak the bearings in mineral spirits and re-oil them before reinstalling. Going to put new rubber axle seals in it as well due to age.
Thanks for any input