As correctly pointed out by Dan Masters (thank you) I went back and looked
at my manuals and sure enough the world class T5 requires automatic
transmission fluid. The non world class T5 can use gear oil. It seems that
gear oil _may_ possibly ruin the composite synchros (quote from the service
manual). The synchros in the world class tranny are unique in that they are
of a composite material three piece design. Maybe that's where some of the
_rumors_ of impending synchro (or brass related) failure originated? After
that, piqued my curiosity and I started looking at oil company web sites and
almost all the new GL5 specs say that they are not corrosive to brass and
copper, apparently due to fears many people expressed about their use. The
extreme pressure additives required for GL5 apparently DO cause corrosion
problems but must be countered with other additives. At any rate as
transmissions really don't require the extreme pressure requirements that
GL5 possess (but rear ends do) I see no reason to be concerned about using
GL5 in a tranny (excluding ovd's) if that's all that's available. I would
however suggest that it would be beneficial in any rear end with the added
advantages of its superior lubrication properties. It really is amazing how
much information is out there!
Thanks again Dan, boy wouldn't that have been a bear to shift with gear oil,
Never too old to learn something new ! ! !
Barry Schwartz
Bschwartz@encad.com (San Diego)
72-V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
70 Spitfire (body repair almost done)
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