Do you have a link to some information about engine and gear viscosity numbers? I don't doubt what you're saying; Onion mentioned something about that too. It would be interesting to read about it. Do you think GL5 80w90 would be ok for the transmission and overdrive, or should I get some GL4 or something earlier? I think I know where I can get some free GL1. I just want the overdrive clutch as well as the gears to live out a long and happy retirement.
Modern oils for a 1948 Studebaker Champion
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Most of my info came from early '50s Motor and Chiltons manuals, and some data I have stored away. I'm more into trucks than cars, so much of my stored material is truck-oriented. Your local library may have general car manuals like these that go back that far (mine does). As far as what might be on the net, you can Google as well as I. As far as the Warner Gear (the founding company of Borg-Warner) trans, the T-86and T-90 3-speeds are well documented, on the net and other places. They were used in Jeeps and a lot of cars from that era too.Interesting to note that Studebaker and Jeep engines had the same bellhousing bolt pattern (so you saw a lot of Stude-into-Jeep engine swaps in the old days). Small wonder since Barney Roos, the Chief Engineer at Willys who spearheaded the Willys quarter-ton development, worked at Studebaker in the '30s. Both stude and Willys made extensive use of Warner transmissions and Spicer axles.
My suggestion are twofold:
1) Hook up with a good Stude club for advice and,
2) Get Owners and Service manuals for your car. Try e-Bay first.Here is but one: Owners Manual
As to gear oil, look for a GL-4 gear oil, or a dual rated GL-4/GL-5. Straight GL-5 will be hard on the brass in the trans (synchos). An 85W90 should be fine, IMO, but you don't need to get too fast about it. The 15W40 will be a good flush. Dump it in a few thousand miles. Final bit of advice, you don't need any fancy oils in that car. The ordinary oils of today would have been called fancy in 1948!
My suggestion are twofold:
1) Hook up with a good Stude club for advice and,
2) Get Owners and Service manuals for your car. Try e-Bay first.Here is but one: Owners Manual
As to gear oil, look for a GL-4 gear oil, or a dual rated GL-4/GL-5. Straight GL-5 will be hard on the brass in the trans (synchos). An 85W90 should be fine, IMO, but you don't need to get too fast about it. The 15W40 will be a good flush. Dump it in a few thousand miles. Final bit of advice, you don't need any fancy oils in that car. The ordinary oils of today would have been called fancy in 1948!
MolaKule
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I just wheeled out a 1996 Ford Tempo 5-speed MT after being in storage for over two years and it had sludged oil (neighbors vehicle).
We replaced the oil with RLI 10W30 HD and a PureOne and it runs smooth as silk.
The transmission called for ATF but we used Ford's MTF fluid and it shifts like butter.
For your Stude, I wouldn't hesitate to use a 75W110 for the diffy and one of the modern 9-11 cSt MTF's from Ford, Amsoil, or Redline as a first test oil.
We replaced the oil with RLI 10W30 HD and a PureOne and it runs smooth as silk.
The transmission called for ATF but we used Ford's MTF fluid and it shifts like butter.
For your Stude, I wouldn't hesitate to use a 75W110 for the diffy and one of the modern 9-11 cSt MTF's from Ford, Amsoil, or Redline as a first test oil.
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Straight 40 motor oil is huge mistake.
Get a multigrade.
Get a multigrade.
To the OP: Here's an interesting link on DOT 5. It also contains a link to the Federal Motor Vehicle standards on DOT 5.
http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/quest/BINDER_JUICE.html
http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/quest/BINDER_JUICE.html
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Straight GL-5 will be hard on the brass in the trans (synchos).
Are you sure it's synchronized? '48 seems a bit early to be.
Straight GL-5 will be hard on the brass in the trans (synchos).
Are you sure it's synchronized? '48 seems a bit early to be.
Originally Posted By: FusilliJerry82
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Straight GL-5 will be hard on the brass in the trans (synchos).
Are you sure it's synchronized? '48 seems a bit early to be.
Synchromesh on 2nd and 3rd was almost universal by the mid 1930s
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Straight GL-5 will be hard on the brass in the trans (synchos).
Are you sure it's synchronized? '48 seems a bit early to be.
Synchromesh on 2nd and 3rd was almost universal by the mid 1930s
My oldies: 1949 Dodge 3/4 ton B-1-C (218 CID, 4-speed) and
1951 Plymouth (218 CID, B/W overdrive).
Although I don't use the lubricants you do, I think you made some very good choices for your Studebaker for both the engine and rear end. Insofar as the overdrive is concerned, I bought a case of Pennzoil straight 50 wt. years ago...and that's what I use in both transmissions, Frankly, I'm not all that sure it's the 'best,' but feel it is good enough.
My country vehicle (we live in a very rural area) is a 2008 Tacoma 4x4, 4-cyl., 5-speed M/T. The book calls for GL-4 or GL-5, 75W-90. I use MT-90 Redline GL-4 in it, as I'm convinced GL-4 is better than GL-5 for transmissions. However, I'm not real comfortable with a synthetic in the vintage transmissions with the gasket materials they used by then, so I went with a mineral based oil in both Mopars...so, I do believe that the use of straight 40 for the o/d in tha Studebaker (same o/d as in my Plymouth)would not only be just fine, but also close to, if not the same as the original Stude. recommendation.
1951 Plymouth (218 CID, B/W overdrive).
Although I don't use the lubricants you do, I think you made some very good choices for your Studebaker for both the engine and rear end. Insofar as the overdrive is concerned, I bought a case of Pennzoil straight 50 wt. years ago...and that's what I use in both transmissions, Frankly, I'm not all that sure it's the 'best,' but feel it is good enough.
My country vehicle (we live in a very rural area) is a 2008 Tacoma 4x4, 4-cyl., 5-speed M/T. The book calls for GL-4 or GL-5, 75W-90. I use MT-90 Redline GL-4 in it, as I'm convinced GL-4 is better than GL-5 for transmissions. However, I'm not real comfortable with a synthetic in the vintage transmissions with the gasket materials they used by then, so I went with a mineral based oil in both Mopars...so, I do believe that the use of straight 40 for the o/d in tha Studebaker (same o/d as in my Plymouth)would not only be just fine, but also close to, if not the same as the original Stude. recommendation.
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