I am using Manual Transmission fluid instead of...

[SOHCman]

Just started using MTF in a f250 ZF trans instea of the mercon it calls for. Much improved shifting (and add package).

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: VNTS
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
VNTS -
Don't you think a dedicated manual transmission fluid is best? C'mon now... is motor oil better than real transmission fluid biased for synchro action, with anti wear and extreme pressure agents also?


CHrysler switched to 10w30 motor oil in the factory fill for transaxles in 1988, thru 1987 they filled with ATF.

Look up Ed Peters, he stated that they switch to the motor oil to improve durability of the transaxles and the only reason they originally used ATF was for cold wether shifting and one less fluid at the factory, BTW he was the head reliability engineer at Chrysler at that time. He also built a lot of SCCA Neon motors which dominated their class back in the day.

http://www.thedodgegarage.com/friends_ed_peters.html

Oh per the MTF, I use the MTF Amsoil has once they came out with it, but prior to that, I used the 0w30 engine oil in my Getrag gear sets in my Shelbys.


Yes,10-30 should be better for wear than thin ATF.
And like I said, a modern dedicated manual transmission fluid is better than both.Your engineer friend was constrained by costs, and hampered by not having access to fluids that weren't invented yet.

 

[tig1]

Had a 91 Ranger 5 speed and used ATF for 354K. I wouldn't try to out think the engineers. You may find shifting in colder temps to be more difficult and trans temps may rise.

 

[Ken2]

And, what lubricates the four or five or six speed gear assembly in an automatic transmission, even one as large as an Allison big truck or bus transmission? ATF

Some of the specialty manual transmission oils might feel better than ATF, but if ATF was called for, the transmission will do OK with that.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Had a 91 Ranger 5 speed and used ATF for 354K. I wouldn't try to out think the engineers. You may find shifting in colder temps to be more difficult and trans temps may rise.


It is silly to think that the engineers chose ATF as the best fluid for a manual trans. Just plain silly.

Among the many arguments against your thinking is the fact that other companies developed special dedicated manual trans lubes with superb shifting and wear qualities. ATF has a paucity of these.
ATF is cheap and an shift well in cold conditions. Customer complaints about cold shifting are the main reason why it was used.