[alfa] Re: the old 115 trans oil question

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Andrew and Digester's:

Your gearbox feels better when the oil is still cold because cold, thick 
oil has more friction.  More friction = better bite to the synchros.  Don't 
you dare put any Redline in there, as less friction = worse synchros.  The 
gearbox in my '74 Spider is much more worn than the one in my '87, and it 
behaves like yours.  I like to use Kendall's Nitro 70W motor oil in both my 
Spider's, and I've used Spirax, too, but never compared the two within the 
same gearbox.  Please no emails about how wonderful Redline is.  It failed 
for me, in my Alfa's and BMW's, both.  I've got nothing against synthetic 
lubes, but as they exist now, Alfa gearboxes aren't the proper application, 
IMHO.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 05:03 PM 9/24/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 15:02:56 -0400
> From: "Watry, Andrew (LNG-SFR)" <Andrew.Watry@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] the old 115 trans oil question
>
> As I mentioned recently, and someone else agreed, I changed the oil in my 73
> Berlina transmission from whatever-was-in-there-from-Kragen to Shell Spirax
> 90, and think the action may be stiffer than before.  However, what I'm
> fully realizing on further driving, is that the synchro action and shift
> feel is much better when the oil is cold (coastal California cold: 50-70
> degree F), than when it warms up.  That seem backwards to me, but is true in
> my experience with this car.  Can someone explain why that might be?
>
> I wonder if switching to a Redline synthetic would help shift feel and
> synchro action both hot and cold?  One person recently recommended Redline
> MTL for these transes, but I believe others use Redline MT 90, including one
> local racer with a Giulietta (though I'm unsure what trans is installed).  I
> assume they're different? Is MT 90 for pre-moly synchros, and MTL for moly
> synchros?  I know this can get into a long discussion.  Thanks
>
> Andrew Watry
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