[TR] Controversial subject...

[Greg Lemon]

I rebuilt my transmission myself and used straight 30w non-detergent and 
after a year or so a difficult to engage 2nd gear became impossible to 
engage, after a professional rebuild and 80w-90 gl4 everything works fine. 
So the cause of the initial failure must be the 30w motor oil, right?

Hope you get the humor above, from all I have read either would be fine, 
John Esposito recommends the 30w engine oil, the Triumph factory recommended 
the gear oil, for the same or very similar laycock overdrive units in other 
british cars (MG and AH) specified non-detergent motor oil.

I have heard nothing but good things about the Red Line stuff, but have 
heard it also leaks more, and have never had a leak proof enough tranny to 
pour the expensive stuff in.

I used GL4 last time because my brother had some leftover from NAPA, it is 
getting hard to find at the local auto parts chain, most off the shelf gear 
oil is GL5, which may slowly eat your brass parts.

If I were to drain and refill I would likely go with 30w motor oil, but 
really think both will work fine.

I have used detergent multi viscosity motor oils in the past as well, and 
although not recommended by anybody (including myself)  never had any 
lubrication related problems or mechanical problems with O/D.

Greg Lemon

68 TR250 (O/D) (and a few other over the years with O/D including daily 
drivers many years ago)