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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Tranny oil?

Getting ready to change the tranny oil in the TF.
(stock 4 speed)
Heard a lot of "good things" about Redline 90 on here so thought I'd give it a shot.
One thing I'm not to clear on:
MT-90 or MTL-90 ?
Any prefrence / advantage / disadvantage?
David Sheward

David,
I recall reading a report on both of the lubs you mentioned, and I used the MT-90 in my TD. My experience was a smoother shift and quieter gears. I would certainly recommend it for your TF. It would be great if you try it, and give us a report on what your reactions are to the Redline 90. When I change the tranny gear lub in the future, I will certainly use it again. It will not fix a tranny with bad bearings or poor gears.

George
George Raham [TD4224]

Dave,

I agree with George on the RedLine MT (Manual Transmission)90. When I first got my TF it was very noisy and downshifts from 4th to 3rd often came with gear grinding.

With the RedLine MT 90 the noises completely
became very civilized, the tranny shifted much easier, and the 4 to 3 downshift came without the grinding, provided it wasn't rushed and some rev matching was input. I'm very pleased with the stuff.

George,

Good to hear that your LBC is finished and on the road. It may be some time before I get back out to Calgary again, but when I do I'll be in touch with you and we can drool over your car collectively.

Gene
P Burgess

Pretty sure I am going to try one of them.
(From what many have said here)
Have a small drip at the plug that I am fairly confident will stop with a new washer.
Much easier to drain and re-fill to install new washer than turn car up-side-down to retain fluid! LOL

Just not sure what the differance between MT & MTL is?
David Sheward

"Just not sure what the difference between MT & MTL is?"

I think the difference is weight. The MT-90 is 75W-90 and the MTL is 70W-80. The MT-90 is used in the rear differential.
The Healey crowd had been playing with these for a few years and you have stout believers, and there are those that believe the oils are a bit pricey for the return.

They are synthetic and perceived to find leaks more readily.

Also some reports of being "too slippery" in transmissions with syncro rings.?

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=Red%20Line&dds=1
Dallas Congleton

The simple answer is that MT-90 is designed for use in gearboxes that were originally specified to run gear oil, like the T series with bronze synchros.

MTL-90 is for use in gearboxes that originally used motor oil, such as the MGA, MGB, and MG midget.

MT-90 gets a lot of recommendations on this board-- though I haven't got far enough in my TD restoration to try it.

I've used MTL-90 in my race Midget to good effect. I've also used it in my early Jaguar E-Type, which has the notorious Moss box. In that case, the difference was almost miraculous. I used to have to count three seconds in between gear changes to avoid the graunch. Now I just shift and don't think about it at all.
David Littlefield

Redline MT-90 is not for use in differentials. The MT means 'Manual Transmission'. They do have a product for hypoid use, but at the moment I can't recall its name, something on the order of 75W90. Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks guys .. MT-90 it will be!
Recently replaced the "anti-rattle" spring ..and some parts I found I was missing. (actuating shaft ball & spring and plunger was shot). Considerable improvement in the grear shift rattle I picked up just this season.
Heard so much good on this thought I'd give it a try since I don't have enough Lucas 90 to do a change.

I'll let the group know how it goes!
David Sheward

Just a note...I have an extra quart of Redline MT-90, purchased in error, so if anyone can't find it locally, I will sell it for $10 plus shipping in the CONUS....
Where I live, it is not available locally, and I paid $13
a quart, plus FEDEX.
Edward
E.B. Wesson

I switched to MT-90 for my TF 1500 in the last 30 days. Noticeable difference in ease of shifting, quieter running noise and less rattle. Great improvement.
Tim Moylan

Hi Gene,
It's good to hear from you. Rod and I enjoyed our breakfast with you and your son and hope it can be repeated sometime. If you get the paper "Old AUTOS", you will see a story on my TD in the recent April 2nd edition. I'm looking forward to your next visit.

George
George Raham [TD4224]

This thread was discussed between 25/04/2012 and 26/04/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.