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gearbox oil (again!) and NOS MG parts

To: british-cars@Alliant.COM
Subject: gearbox oil (again!) and NOS MG parts
From: mit-eddie!pwcs.StPaul.GOV!phile@EDDIE.MIT.EDU (Philip J Ethier)
Date: Fri, 11 May 90 13:55:40 CDT
> 
>  For sprites, use normal motor oil.  10w-40 works good.  I've never
> had any problem using detergent motor oils, nor have I read anything in
> the factory manuals, haynes, or clymer that mentioned problems.  Remember,
> the gears were designed to run in the sump of a mini engine, in the actual
> engine oil.  I think it's a superstition.
>
>  Randell
>
I don't think it is superstition, I have seen the damage.  I have no
reason to believe the syncros in this car have any relation to those
used in Minis. The gearbox for Spridgets   was around for a long time
before the Mini.  These are later synchronizers, though, the type
called baulk-ring.  Since non-detergent 30-wt is 99 cents a quart at
Superamerica, I'm playing it safe on this one.  I have seen lots of
Spridgets with the syncros shot.  This may be the reason.  I'm sure
not all detergents are created equal, but I'm not going to experiment
here.  Bill Hirabayashi, the longtime MG dealer in Saint Paul, told me
that they always used non-detergent gearbox oil for this reason.  BTW,
if you are looking for NOS parts for MG's or Renaults, Bill's old
stock is at his son Ron's shop, Foreign Auto Parts.  You can write
Ron at 4000 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN  55406   or call at
(612) 721-6541.   Tell him I sent you.

phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov
--
Login name: phile        In real life: Philip J Ethier
Phone: 298-5324


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