robindunscombe Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 I've searched the archive but I can't find any recommendations for 5 speed Classic gearbox oil. The caterham build guide states 'fully synthetic'. I can't seem to get hold of that from either Halfords or the local motor factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 I use Redline MTL which seems to work fairly well, it's available from Demon Tweeks and Fluke Motorsport. Cheers Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Grundy Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Robin FWIW you could ring Caterham parts and they would pop it in overnight post, apparently their latest Comma synthetic is now in stock. Halfords in Bedford have stock (not a lot of use to you though), your branch is just probably run out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robindunscombe Posted February 19, 2003 Author Share Posted February 19, 2003 Yes - it looks like I might have to order from Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjwb Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Erm, Ford Sierra 🤔 Check on the standard vehicle and don't waste your money on so called special lubricants. Steve B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Grundy Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Steve Appreciate what your saying , but when there's a wacking great label tied to the side of the box telling you to use synthetic, for the sake of 2 litres of oil it seems hardly worth a s###ged gearbox and a rejected warranty claim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjwb Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Colin, I don't disagree with your sentiment. However, knowing the durability testing that Ford did all those years ago I think it's safe to bet that grief to the transmission was far in excess of anything that you will give it. Remember a typical durability cycle will represent 150,000 miles. Sure, there are weaknesses in all mechanical components, but I bet there has not been a proven (sic) standard lubrication related failure on record. Really must do some work Steve B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Ford were quite picky about the oil with this box. They liked it to have their own 'Red oil' as it was known, and people have said on here that they have had problems when they didn't use it. However, I havent used it for a few years now and have had only one gearbox failure, and that wasn't oil related. Ford have stopped making the red stuff now anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Phil Stewart of Road & Race Transmissions now can get 'MTL' I believe. Works very well in a six speed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Castrol Syntrax 75W/90, fully synthetic manual gearbox lubricant is in my Ford 5 speeder, and it's not been any problem, apart from bashing the wallet pretty hard. Nigel. 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 In the early days of this gearbox, Ford received a lot of complaints about the quality of the gearchange, in particular going into 1st whilst cold and subsequently, so I am told, specced a different oil that improved this. I remember a company Sierra I had in 1982 (what a load of c**p it was too) that had just this problem. The other day I came across a posting from Ammo on this subject where he recommended a Castrol oil (but can't remember the spec. now), which he said vastly improved the quality of the gearchange. Maybe he will be along soon to enlighten us Brent 7 in bits, LOTS of bits ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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