VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 1928 Chevrolet Gearbox Oil Capacity

Hi,
Please advise the recommended amount of oil for the 1928 Chevrolet Touring gearbox. I believe it should be filled until it just begins to come out of the filler. However, I would still like to know how much so that I can buy the right amount. Also, please confirm that 250 is the correct grade. Thank you.

I dont know the exact capacity but get at least 2 litres and be prepared to get a 3rd. You are right on the level just dribbling out the fill plug hole though if the box is completely dry I would suggest to put a cupfull in where the speedo drive goes as well.
I generally dont mention brands but Penrite (in Aus) do a oil that they recommend for the older trans and differentials though I cant remember what they call it, I have used it without any adverse feed back.
Tony

Does Penrite Transoil SAE 250 ring a bell. I've just looked it up and you are right it is recommended for Veteran, Vintage and Edwardian vehicles. Thank you.
I am not sure how I would get a cupful into where the speedo drive is because it is side entry and no room to get a tube in. Can you enlarge on that please.

Hi RayLilly,

I'd recommend using an NGLI 0 grease such as John Deere "corn head grease" for the universal joint/speedometer gear. It's a thixotropic self leveling grease that is much easier and less messy to use. I would caution NOT to use a typical NGLI 2 type grease as it is too thick for this application and has a tendency to channel.

-Tyler

There is a small plug on the universal housing. I use an old grease gun with Alemite fitting to fill it in my car. The gearbox actually feeds the uni joint unless someone fitted a sealed bearing. I use Penrite 140 in my car as have found 250 a bit thick when cold making hard gear changes.

Disconnect the speedo cable and the part it connects to should come out (maybe threaded into the rear housing), using a large syringe pump the oil in and reassemble the speedo drive if there isnt a plug in that area.

The "Transoil" does sound familiar, several of the US members recommend the cornhead grease but I have not used it (and dont know if it is available in Aus) so wont comment either way on that though there should only be a open ball bearing or brass bush between there and the main gearbox so there could well be some mixing so compatible fluids should be used.
Tony

Thank you for all the suggestions. I am not sure but I think you are telling me that filling the gearbox does not necessarily lubricate the speedo drive.
I assume the universal joint referred to is part of the speedo drive and not the prop shaft UJ (or is it)
After removing the knurled fitting which holds the speedo cable, there is a small coupling with a slot in it which slides out partially. I did not try to remove it completely. Is that where I fill the speedo mechanism.
I hope this is not too confusing.

Hi Ray,

You are understanding the posts correctly. There is a small reservoir area that holds gear oil primarily to lubricate the u-joint. It does need an initial fill of gear oil to make sure the u-joint does not run in a dry condition.

That part with the slot you described is the actual speedometer cable drive. You should be able to pull it out so you can put some gear oil in that area. On some transmissions over the years there were fill plugs or bolts (actually a ground strap bolt) that could be removed to fill that area.

During normal operation as the car goes down the road and the gears run oil is splashed around quite a bit. Some of it does pass through the rear main transmission bearing and goes into the area where the u-joint operates. That also is lubrication for the speedometer drive gear.

If you can find a cut-away picture of the transmission with the u-joint you can see how this works. That rear area will fill up to the bottom of the balls in rear main bearing. Any overfill or additional fluid splashed back into that rear area flows back into the main transmission area when the car is not running. So after driving a while the rear area finds its “happy” level.

You will need to check the transmission fluid level a few times in the first few weeks after you start driving the car. If you overfilled the rear area the whole transmission will be overfull. It you did not get enough in the rear area the main transmission will need more oil.

Thank you.

The Chevrolet Service News for 1928 says, transmission- 21/2 qts.

Thank you.