Transmission and Differential Oil

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Lowell
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Location: Santa Fe, NM

Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by Lowell »

I have now owned my 330 for some time, but have never touched the transmission and differential oil.

I think that the oil has been there for years.

I would appreciate suggestions about the appropriate oils to use --- rather not use synthetic.
Lowell Brown
1966 Gold 330 2+2 Series II
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tyang
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by tyang »

Hi Lowell,

Your rear diff should use 250 weight oil which Penrite (sp?) makes. I get it through Restoration Supply.

I put Redline MT90 in my transmission and noticed a significant difference in the ease of 2nd gear engagement when cold, but I know some people are resistant to using synthetics. A month ago, we had a 275GTB in the shop that had a slow 2nd gear synchro when cold, and the owner was considering a rebuild. We drove it with regular gear oil and agreed with the slow second gear when cold, clearing up when things got up to temp. I suggested trying MT90, and there was a significant improvement. Now it shifts into 2nd no matter what temp. It's the first time I had a direct A-B comparison. Now if we have a car with a slow synchro when cold, it's the first thing we'll try. It's a lot cheaper than a transmission rebuild!

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
DWR46
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by DWR46 »

Synthetic Gear Oils are transmission rebuild in a can! I have used them for years and found definite shift improvement every time. As for the rear axle, if the car has a limited slip differential, do not forget to put a tube of limited slip additive in with the new gear oil.
william
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by william »

Like Dyke,

I use synthetic im my gear box Mobile 1...my over drive works!
William
1979 Avanti s/n Rqb-3016
1962 GTE s/n 3447
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider 1495*09775
John Vardanian
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by John Vardanian »

Hi Dyke, is limited slip standard after a certain year? Which cars have them? Thanks.

john
PF Coupe
DWR46
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by DWR46 »

Which cars had limited-slips? Not an easy question to answer as most anything was possible with Ferrari. However, as a general rule, street 250's (PF Coupe, 2+2, Cabriolet, Lusso) did NOT. The Berlinettas and Californias did. It appears that all 330's DO. Transaxle cars DO. Unfortunately. the old American test of having both wheels turn the same direction when in the air will not work with Ferrari ZF or Clutch Type diffs. Ferrari's units have too much slippage so when you turn one wheel forward, the other wheel may not move at all, so this is not a fail-safe test for a Ferrari limited-slip. The best source is your Build Sheets, though a set for a similar car will probably tell the story.
John Vardanian
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by John Vardanian »

Thanks Dyke, so this is from my 1964 250, what is the giveaway? Autobloccante?

Another question, I cannot find the build sheet for my '59, are there any physical signs that would tell me?

Thanks.

john

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330GT
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by 330GT »

John Vardanian wrote:Thanks Dyke, so this is from my 1964 250, what is the giveaway? Autobloccante?

Thanks.

john
Yes. See http://www.330gt.com/BuildSheet.htm for various pages of a build sheet. Just hover your mouse over each Italian field name and the English translation will be shown.
Regards, Kerry
http://www.330gt.com 330 GT Registry
http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari 250 PF Coupe 1643GT, 330 GT 2+2 8755GT, 308 GTS 23605
DWR46
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by DWR46 »

John: 330GT has answered correctly. Autobloccante (automatic blocking) is Limited-Slip Differential.
DWR46
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by DWR46 »

John: As to your 1959, no external identification, what model Ferrari is it?
John Vardanian
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by John Vardanian »

Hi Dyke, my '59 is an inside-plug PF coupe (128D).

john
PF Coupe
DWR46
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by DWR46 »

John: Your PF Coupe is an open diff, no limited-slip.
John Vardanian
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by John Vardanian »

Thanks Dyke.

So, what is an open diff?
PF Coupe
Lowell
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Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by Lowell »

I looked up Penrite Engineered Gear Oils at Restoration Supply Co. They have Transoil 90, 140, and 250 Non-additive. Straight & Worm gears. Is that what you had in mind, Tom?

My Guru Carlo Durante tells me to use 140 weight. He also says that Chevy dealers have an additive for limited slip differentials.

I still would rather not use synthetic transmission oil. Carlo says use 75/90 or 80/90 oils. He says some "racing" oils are good, but I have yet to find one. Any suggestions, anyone?
Lowell Brown
1966 Gold 330 2+2 Series II
Lowell
Posts: 189
Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2002 1:40 am
Location: Santa Fe, NM

Re: Transmission and Differential Oil

Post by Lowell »

How about Valvoline Racing VV831 --- Valvoline High Performance Gear Oil 80W90 Weight for the transmission?
Lowell Brown
1966 Gold 330 2+2 Series II
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