MGExp

MGA Forum

Need help choosing Trasmission Oil

Moss Motors
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic
Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#1
alex33324 Alex V.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1960 MG MGA
After some reading and reasearch, I found out that There is not a consensus on what type of oil should we used in our MGAs transmission.

So far I came to this conclusion:

Non detergent Oil 20W/50 to keep soft metals safe (copper and Brass). Now what brand? where to buy?
I have not been able to find a well known brand who stock 20W/50 non detergent oil.

I will appreciate any input.

Thank you all.


1960 MGA Roadster

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
. Become a Supporting Member to hide this ad & support a small business
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#2
ghnl Avatar
ghnl Eric Russell
Mebane, NC, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1961 MG MGA "Calvin"
Somehow the topic of oils always seems to get contentious.

Non-detergent 20w-50 oil is likely to be a rare find. I use the same oil I use in the engine. For my MGA I use VR1 20w-50. (I vintage race my MGA and change the oil frequently.) For my motorcycle (whose engine shares the oil with the transmission) I use Shell Rotella 15w-40. I also use the Rotella in my Alfa's engines and my F250 diesel (4 gallons/oil change!) so it is easy to keep just the one type on a shelf in my garage. Plus it is not expensive and easy to find anywhere.


Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#3
bobs77vet Avatar
bobs77vet bob K.
northern Va, VA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
john twist recommened Castrol gtx 20w50 and that's good enough for me

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
. Become a Supporting Member to hide this ad & support a small business
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#4
Zur Avatar
Zur Dave H.
Amarillo, TX, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
Synthetics? Additives?


Dave

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#5
dipstick Avatar
dipstick Kenny Snyder (RIP)
La Center, WA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1941 Ford N-Series
1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe "Rosie"
1970 MG MGB GT "Pat's GT"
1971 MG MGB "Gifted To Me"    & more
I use RedLine MTL (Manual Transmission Lube) in all of my manual transmission vehicles.


Be safe out there.
Kenny


Attachments:
Redline MTL.jpg    10.7 KB
Redline MTL.jpg

Redline MTL and MT-90 Tech Info.pdf    40.1 KB
Sign In or Register to view this photo
Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#6
jonathan in mass jonathan eagle
weston, MA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1961 MG MGA 1600
The problem with the transmission oil isn't the type, its getting into the car!

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#7
abowie Avatar
abowie Andrew Bowie
Adelaide, SA, Australia   AUS
Sign in to contact
1961 MG MGA 1600
1967 Jaguar E-Type "Rob's Car"
I was under the impression that 75W oils were too viscous for the MGA box which is supposed to have 20W50 engine oil in it. I have Valvoline XLD in my rebuilt MGA box and it is very nice to use.

Having said this I use Redline MT90 in the boxes in my E types. It is a brilliant oil for this application and it really does improve synchro function in those boxes.. This from a Luddite who stubbornly refuses to believe anything said by lubricant advertising.


Andrew B, Adelaide SA
1962 MGB and too many Jaaaaags
www.projectetype.com

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#8
ghnl Avatar
ghnl Eric Russell
Mebane, NC, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1961 MG MGA "Calvin"
The viscosity ratings for gear oil & engine oils are not the same. 90w gear oil is roughly equivalent to 50w engine oil.

There is also the possibility that some of the additives in gear oils may not be compatible with the brass or bronze components in the MG gearbox.

http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/gearbox/gt107.htm


Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#9
Ex Pat Avatar
Ex Pat Anthony Boothman
Barrie, ON, Canada   CAN
Sign in to contact
Rotella 15/40 for me.

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: Need help choosing Trasmission Oil
#10
barneymg Avatar
barneymg Barney Gaylord
Somewhere in North America, Throw a dart., USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1958 MG MGA "MGA With An Attitude"
I gave Redline MTL a test run for 12,000 miles several years ago. Did NOT like the way it shifted from day one having to ham flst it to prevent grinding. I was so happy the day I changed back to 20W50 and could get back to finger tip shifting again.


Barney Gaylord - 1958 MGA with an attitude - http://MGAguru.com - barneymg@mgaguru.com - Ph: 630-946-3841
(Please email me direct, do not leave a PM on the public server).

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

To reply or ask your own question:

or

Registration is FREE and takes less than a minute

Forums  

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Read the Forum Help (FAQ) or contact the webmaster





Join The Club
Sign in to ask questions, share photos, and access all website features
Forum List
MGB & GT MG Midget Buy, Sell & Trade Vendor Market MG Performance MG Engine Swaps Factory Correct MGA MGC MG Magnette 1100 & 1300 T-Series & Prewar EV Conversion Modern MG MG Motorsports Events & Meetup MG 2024 Katy Texas Other Vehicles Off Topic Clubs Archived
Your Cars
1979 MG MGB
Glenn Trunnell   Silver Member USA
1979 MGB
Text Size
Larger Smaller
Reset Save