VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Proper Oil Transmission 1929

I put 600w oil in Tranny and It seems I have hard time shifting into 3rd gear!(Unless shifted at a lower speed) Could this be too thick? Previously I had 90w and didnt have same problem.I must admit though , I was super low on oil and hopefully didnt damage the gears or bearings.Any one know much about this ??

600W is the recommened oil for the transmission. Your transmission should shift fine with that weight oil. You might want to drain the oil and then remove the top cover and look inside to see if there is any damage or dirt.

First off....you should not be shifting into high much over 10 or 15 mph. These cars were not designed to shift at high rpm's unless your double clutching.

Now, I have also noticed that it is hard to shift with 600w oil when it is cold. Once your down the road a few miles and warmed up you should be ok.

Also the reason, most likely, it was easy to shift before was due to friction on the shaft with out oil in the gear box. The gears were slowing down.

Todays oil has extreme pressure properites that they did not have back then. I would put 90/140 W in it and go.

"Do not shift more than 10-15 mph"? You mean dont rev up too much so the gears can match up (at the slower reving)? I always double clutch.Doesnt every one eles ?

I have a similar question about my 1931. I cannot find any 600W oil for rear differential?
Is it Ok to use something else?

You can either double clutch or move shift lever between gears, hesitate for a few seconds and then move to higher gear. Of course you have to double clutch while increasing engine speed when down shifting. Takes a little practice but not too hard to learn.

SAE 160 is modern equivalent to 600W. You can use SAE 140 or even 90W-140 as an alternate. If used in transmission it will leak a bit more than higher viscosity lube. Also not shift quite as smoothly when warm.

I have used the 85/140 wt and have experienced greater oil leakage than with the 600 wt. I don't believe 85/140 is any benefit in a 29 trans and the heavier 600wt oil is sufficient. I found it not only leaked less with the 600 wt but also was quieter.

So the bottom line is: Shift at a lower RPM when advancing through the gears! Also, 600w is available from the Filling Station .Thankyou for your input.

The 600WT oil is also available from other brand old car suppliers and there are probably some in your area. You might try a model A or T dealer.