Transmission Oils-Warning!

[V8 burble]

Monograde oils are recommended for the Tiger gearbox (3.25 pints of EP80) and rear axle (2.5 pints of EP90).

EP80-GL5 oil contains high levels of sulphur which will attack the phosphor bronze components in a Ford Toploader gearbox. This GL5 oil must NOT be used in the original Tiger gearbox.

The correct oil for the Toploader is EP80-GL4, which contains a lower amount of harmful sulphurous additives.

The Tiger's Salisbury 4HA rear axle has no “yellow metal” components so it is okay to use either an EP90-GL4 (see below) or a GL5 oil.

A little known firm called Smith & Allan in Darlington is a lubricants specialist and has been in existence since 1925.
S & A will supply you with the correct oils, either directly or via ebay. 1 litre, 5 litre and even 20 litre containers are available, so a group purchase would reduce the cost further.
The company is planning to market some oil products aimed squarely at the classic car fraternity, so buy now before their current prices go up!

http://www.smithandallan.com/

http://www.smithandallan.com/vintage-oil.aspx

EP80-GL4
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=smit ... m270.l1313

EP90-GL4
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... allan+ep90

[Tomaselli]

Great post!

I needed fresh oil before the Le Mans Classic early last year and after researching on web, there is much discussion over the dangers of using GL-5 spec oil in "older" gearboxes in classics which have phospor bronze components. I was surpised as I never came across these concerns before

Managed to source Castrol via eBay (thought I'd stay with a quality manufacturer) GL-4 for the box and ran with GL-5, which I believe has overall better lubricating qualities, in the diff.

But now that I know of a reputable supplier I know where I will getting my oils in future!

[gtsmrt]

Hi,

Is this EP80-GL5 an additive or a type of oil? I know the 80 is the thickness of the oil. I think it's time to check what I put in the tiger last change.

Thanks for the post.

Regards, Robin.

[V8 burble]

Hi Robin,

GL numbers refer to gear oil specifications laid down by the American Petroleum Institute:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_oil

Depending on the particular specification there will be more or less of a particular additive (and possibly other variations) in that gear oil.

See if you can find the EP80 oil container you last used. The container will carry a GL number.
If it is EP80 GL-5, or you are in any doubt, then I suggest that you drain the gearbox pronto and locate some EP80 with a GL-4 rating.
It is highly likely that any drained EP80 GL-5 oil will have a distinctive yellowish gold tinge to it, as a result of the phosphor bronze being attacked.

[Tomaselli]

The Tiger's Salisbury 4HA rear axle has no “yellow metal” components so it is okay to use either an EP90-GL4 or a GL5 oil.

Can anybody recommend an oil type for the rear axle with a limited slip differential fitted

[gtsmrt]

Hi Tom,

I don't have an LSD in my Tiger, but the Penrite oils have always been very good. Don't know if they are available in the UK though.

Regards, Robin.

[V8 burble]

Tomaselli,

I strongly recommend that you first contact the Gearbox Man (Bernie) and ask his advice.
http://www.gearboxman.co.uk/contact.html

I assume that you are referring to the usual Thornton Powrlok LSD which requires an EP90 oil with an additional friction modifier, such as the now defunct Castrol Hypoy LS 90. There may be some old stock lying around somewhere. If so, a group purchase may benefit several Club members.

In contrast the Quaife LSD uses standard EP90 oil, without any friction modifier.

Millers Oils list their Classic Differential oil, EP 90-GL5, as “friction modified for mild limited slip applications”, whatever that means.
I take it to mean that they absolve themselves of all legal responsibility when your LSD goes phut after using this oil, but I could be wrong.
http://www.millersoils.net/M3_cgi/mille ... c&cart_id=
Ask them.

Another contact is Ian at Fluids in Motorsport:
http://www.fluidsinmotorsport.co.uk/contact.html

[Tomaselli]

Thanks for the advice V8 burble, and yes I have the more common Jag Power Lok LSD unit. It seems that Castrol Hypoid 90 LS (available from Jaguar main dealers at £20 a litre) or equivalent mineral GL-5, with appropriate additive, seems to be a "trustworthy" oil for the unit.

This supplier of the Morris LSD Oil has come highly recommended and it seems good value, but will try your suggested contacts.

[V8 burble]

I can vouch for the quality of products from Morris Lubricants. Years ago I regularly used their engine and transmission oils. I am sure that their XEP90 will fit the bill perfectly for your LSD and it has the bonus of a much lower price than the Castrol one.

http://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk ... product=35

[martin172]

I need some oil for my diif.

As I read this, aslong as the oil I get is EP90-GL4 or GL5 it will be ok to use?

How much does it require and how do you fill it.
Is it the usual put it on level ground and fill it up to the fill hole?

Thanks.

[V8 burble]

Is it the usual put it on level ground and fill it up to the fill hole?

Yes.

If you are planning to drain all the old oil then you will need 2 1/2 pints (1.4 litres) of EP90 (either GL4 or GL5). Preferably give the car a run first to warm up the oil.

There is a square-headed filler/level plug at the rear of the diff.
It is probably not a bad idea to put a little RTV sealer on the threads of both plugs before refitting.

[martin172]

Ok, thanks G.

I was planning on using a bit of thread lock on them as it is disassembleable.

It looks like I'll be ordering this online as it seems that everyone around here sells glug.

This does give me the luxury of choice so, what oil does everyone else use?
Any recommendations guys and gals?

[Tomaselli]

Sorry am being lazy with workshop manual not to hand....

Anybody chime in and tell me what the oil capacity is for the toploader.

Many thanks

[michael-king]

Tony,

I just did all the fluids n the Tiger yesterday.. and unfortunatly had to put GL5 in the toploaded as i couldnt get a GL4 oil (i ended up doing a 50/50 of gear oil and ATF.. so will continue the search for GL4 and swap it out as soon as i can (as a side note lots of guys stateside say they run mobil 1 syntetic gear oil in their boxes but that is GL5 too!!)

I did the Diff to which is a dana LSD and use penrite LIMSLIP whihc is a correct LSD oil, but i recomend still adding a friction modifier for LSD to the LSD oil anyway to stop clutch pack chatter.. ford and holden here sell the adative and ford/motorcraft sell it in the USA.. so should be available in the UK.

Now for capacities.. i had via a manual 5.4 for the motor, 1.8 for the 'box and 1.4 for the diff..... now... when i filled them the motor took 5.4.. the 'box took 2 liters (maybe even a little more) and the diff took 1.6+ ... can't believe everything you read? or im overfilled.. but i belive that you are mean to fill the box and diff till the oil come out a little from the filling hole.

As for engine oil.. i run MOTUL 10-40W.. used to use the ester chrono 300V i have now swicthed to turbosyn 300V... the chrono is a race oil but apparently does not last as well as the turbosyn which is a high performance road oil... very happy with the motul

[V8 burble]

Tony,

Toploader capacity is 3 1/4 pints or 1.8 litres.