Lubricants

D

dreamrider

Junior Member
I'm finally getting around to replacing my transmission fluid as well as the differential fluid.
Seems, as I recall, alot of people have alot of different ideas as to the ideal oil, fluids, grease, or various additives that make the ideal thing to use in these two areas.
So, I guess I'm asking: What is the real deal?
 
The original oil Henry used in the Model A trans, rear end, and steering box was called 600W. No one is really sure what that actually was, except it was very heavy. Most all the Model A suppliers carry what they call 600W. However, they all seem to be different. Some that I have seen is pretty bad, it will foam on you. My preference, and what I recommend to customers, is the 600W Bratton sells (800-255-1929). It is very heavy and seems to cling well to transmission main shafts. What I think it is, is Shell Valvata 250 gear oil with a small perentage of STP added. I have had good luck with it and recommend it.

Tom Endy
 
I bought a 5 gallon can of Mobil 636 and like it. It's thick and very sticky. It looks and smells like the old stuff.
 
I just purchased a 5-gallon ( 35 lb) pail of Lubriplate SPO-299 from a local distributor the other day.

Supposed to be the equivalent to old-time 600 # heavy gear-oil / "Steam-cylinder oil".

Drained my ****** and refilled with the SPO-299 lasy night, will drive it this morning.

( There was only about 4 oz. of lube in the ****** when I drained it... :( )

As for the smell of the new stuff, it smells like petroleum gear lube, but without that heavy sulphur stench of modern gear-lubes. It is the color of dark honey, and a little thinner than King Syrup.
 
These are the modern equivalents to the Ford transmission, rear end and steering box oils:

Mobilgear 600 XP 680
BP Energol GR-XP 680
Castrol Alpha LS680
Shell Omala 680
Texaco Meropa 680
 
I have used both the 600w and the newer GL 1500 that I bought from a maj. "A" model vender, I sw. from the 600w because after I drained my trans. and diff. serviced both with 600w and drove it for aprox. 15 miles I ck. the fluid level in both, when I removed the ser. plug their was heavy foam as far down as i could stick my finger, I sw. to the GL 1500 which I was told it was much better then the old 600w, The same thing..nothing but foam.

I think a lot of this crap is mix'ed up in someones garage with no telling what and is being sold as what Henery Ford used 80 years ago.
Every time I think I've found a heavy modern lub. someone will have 10 diff. reasions why you should not use it. I don't know:confused:.

I did read an artical in the Model "A" News by Mr. Roger Kauffman who was the Technical Chairman for the Model "A" news Mag. He said he use's stright STP in his pick-up truck and has for over 100,000 miles with no problems, I know it is not concidered a lub. but if it was good enough for
Mr. Kauffman then it's good enough for me.

I still have the mag. here if someone wants Mr. Kauffman statement word for word, I'll look it up.;)
 
We have done a couple of articles on 600W. Mixing 75% 140W with 25% STP gives a good home made mix, Lubriplate SPO288 is a commercial lubricant which we found that we have been using in the sedan and roaster for the last couple of years and it works very well.
 
Louis said:
Frank,
Is their a spo 288 and a spo 299? What's the diff.?
How long have you been useing it?
can you get it at auto-zone?....Thanks.
Click to expand...

Louis,

There are two weights of "heavy gear-oil" from Lubriplate: SPO-299, and SPO- 288.

SPO-299 is the heaviest; it has an ISO rating of 1000 for viscosity.

I 've only just bought a pail the other day, so today's the first day actually driving on it.

But the local Model A Garage (we actually have such a thing) uses SPO-299 in his personal A's , as well as customer's cars.

I doubt you'll find it at a "box-store" like Auto-Zone; more likely from a truck or heavy-equipment dealer / service garage.

Or check your local Yellow Pages for an auto-supply store that sells "Lubri-Plate" products - they should be able to order it.

Restoration Supply Co. ( www.restorationstuff.com ) in Escondido, Calif. does sell the Lubri-Plate heavy-oils by the quart ( I believe they buy the 5 gal / 35lb pail and re-package it in quart bottles.)

I went for it because I couldn't find anyone locally who could get the Shell or Mobil lubes mentioned in the other replies... also because it's the "real thing", not some home-made witch's-brew.

Or check with your local chapter of the Model A Ford Club; they may have a member / members who go-in on the big bucket and sell it a quart or two at a time to local guys....

So far, I'm liking the stuff !

SC Frank
 
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