Oil for dog box

[StressCraxx]

I'm a Redline user for my Formula Ford and my Elan. Redline is based here where I live.

That said, I would be reluctant to use the Lightweight Shockproof oil if you expect longevity. The product works well for competition gearboxes in terms of reducing internal drag from churning viscous oil in the gears. Reduced drag means more torque to the wheels. It's an emulsion of light viscosity oil and plastic solids that act as a cushion between wear surfaces.

However, one should expect substantially increased wear on gears and bearings that significantly shortens useful component life. The pro prep shop teams that use this product strip and inspect their gearboxes every weekend. A well known pro Hewland gearbox shop said the gears and bearings look like they have been run on water instead of oil when they receive them for rebuild.

The Redline conventional synthetics are very good. I use the 75W-90 in my Hewland MK9 box. I have no issues with corrosion or wear on the brass shift forks or anything else.

[nmauduit]

[quote="StressCraxx"]
That said, I would be reluctant to use the Lightweight Shockproof oil if you expect longevity. The product works well for competition gearboxes in terms of reducing internal drag from churning viscous oil in the gears. Reduced drag means more torque to the wheels. It's an emulsion of light viscosity oil and plastic solids that act as a cushion between wear surfaces.
/quote]
yes, I've contemplated that with wonder (we don't do much drag racing over here) when I discovered it the first time on their website, and it reminded me of the old trick of a glass of saw dust in the oil to reduce noise before selling a car... not a long term approach.

[snowyelan]

I recall someone, whom I shall not name, using a banana instead of sawdust for the same purpose. Not entirely sure how you would get either thru a fill hole....

[alan.barker]

What's "Royal Purple" Oil like, any good
Alan

[StressCraxx]

What's "Royal Purple" Oil like, any good
Alan

Royal Purple is a good product. I call it a "boutique blender" product. They are a small blender/marketer here. Are they worth the extra cost? I'm not sure. Some use their oil in their Hewlands and say they run a few degrees cooler, which may mean there is less shear at the gear teeth or perhaps a little less churning. However, a difference in oil level can do the same thing.

Most gearbox builder call for an API GL4 (American Petroleum Institute Gear Lube 4) spec. I run Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 or Redline MT-90 (also 75W-90) in my Elan (stock 2000E) and also in my Hewland Mk-9. I am seeing no indication of pitting or spalling on my gear teeth from either oil. The API and now OEM performance specs are so tight, there are few significant differences in gear or motor oils today.

The API and major automotive OEM specifications are far more stringent than they were 30 years ago so products are much more consistent across the board. Additive packages are relatively consistent since the two major additive suppliers are Lubrizol and Chevron Oronite. At minimum, all suppliers are now using hydrocracked base oils that rival PAO and ester synthetics in performance. No one sells solvent dewaxed oil anymore.

Also please note that most all of the above specialty oil suppliers are what we call "boutique blenders" that cater to the niche automotive markets with nutjobs like us as customers willing to pay a premium. They buy their base stocks from the major oil and petrochemical companies and additives from Chevron and Lubrizol, blend and package them. They may have some excellent chemists and labs. Others are just privately labeled product from Warren Distributing (also a blender for many private labels).

[alan.barker]

Thanks stresscraxx,
Very interesting an eye opener for me.
Now i just need to assemble the Box for my Sprint. I'll put a nice bottle of Oil on Santa's list for "Little Lo".
Alan

[StressCraxx]

Alan,

I will say this. I have a lot of respect for Royal Purple's industrial products, particularly their "GT34" sealing fluid. This is a very esoteric oil product for double sealing systems in refinery and chemical pumps. It had very low shear or drag on mechanical seal faces. I used a lot of it for my most recent job on refinery process pump sealing systems that had to meet California Air Board requirements for light hydrocarbons.

You won't go wrong adding a quart of API GL4 Royal Purple to your gearbox.

Regards,
Dan

[2cams70]

Why don’t you just ask Hewland what their recommendation is? The designer of the gearbox is best placed to know because they are the only ones that fully know the criteria the box was designed and developed around in the first place.

[StressCraxx]

I have a .pdf copy of the Mk8/9 Hewland manual. It calls out 80 or 90 weight gear oil. That's all it says.

API GL4 80W 90 or 75W 90 is just fine. If your gearbox is an LG series box, GL5 would be better for the shock loads.

[2cams70]

There’s never any harm done by calling the manufacturer directly for a bit of a chat. In fact those informal conversations are often worth their weight in gold as you can find out things that you might never have found out otherwise. The gearbox might not like multi grade oils for example which is something you would never have known without having a chat.

[h20hamelan]

From

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14730&start=

“ GL5 oil is not required in the Ford box and can be detrimental to the life of brass syncro rings due to the sulphur content”

Likely also good to chat with oil manufacturers, though most list all ingredients