Some other things worth noting:
1) Triumph changed their recommendation for A-type OD lube several times.
Around 1960 (exact date uncertain) they went to "GL-4" gear oil only.
Legend has it that this was because of excessive warranty failures of the
countershaft thrust washers (a known weak spot) in TR3-4 gearboxes. They
apparently felt there would be fewer returns with gear oil, in spite of
Laycock's recommendation.
2)Some time later (again exact date unknown), supposedly Laycock did change
their recommendation to allow use of GL-4 oils. Supposedly there was even a
service bulletin to that effect, but I've never seen it. And it's not clear
to me if this applied to A- and D- types or only the later J-type.
3)At this point, the only OD I've tried the Redline MT-90 in is having a
weird OD problem. I've only heard from one other person with a similar
problem, and he is also using MT-90 in a J-type. I don't honestly think the
problem is the oil; but I am not going to recommend MT-90 to others until my
problem is resolved, and I have at least 30 or 40 thousand trouble-free
miles racked up. The MT-90 also failed to do what I would hope it would do
(protect my marginal gearbox from failure), which I also don't blame on the
oil.
4) The Valvoline Racing is actually rather close to being a "gear" oil, as
it has low detergent level (like a gear oil) and an "anti-wear" additive
that helps protect against metal-to-metal contact (like an EP additive
does). The viscosity is similar as well; plus the "multi-viscosity"
characteristic leads to better shifting both with the gearbox cold, and very
hot.
Randall
_______________________________________________
Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
This list supported in part by the Vintage Triumph Register
http://www.vtr.org
Triumphs@autox.team.net
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/triumphs
http://www.team.net/archive
|