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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 - transmission oil

1954 mgtf: draining transmission: what weight oil do I replace it with? (Is there anything special I should know?)
Ed Eastman

Hi Ed:

There was an earlier thread discussing various products you can use. I ended-up using Redline 75W90NS in my TF. Previously I had used Castrol, but the Redline made a big difference in how the tranny shifted. Much smoother. You can find the stuff at most automotive parts places...but be sure to ask for the NS version. This is the one without the friction modifiers that can attack the softer metal (brass?) components in the MG transmissions

Jim
Jim Rice

I second that. I got the redline fluid from Moss and it shifts much better especially when the fluid is cold.
Larry Ayres

An MGB owner suggested Molyslip "G" (for gears)...before I add this to new Hypoid oil for the change, is there any kind of problem with transmission/diff materials and this product?
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Ed:

A correction to my earlier post. The Redline fluid is MT-90 (manual transmission & transaxle lubricant) I'm looking at the partial empty bottle now. I had spoke originally with Redline about the application and they actually had the MGT series cars listed thus their recommendation for the MT-90 fluid. It's a synthetic and about 10 bucks a quart but you only need about 2/3 to 3/4 of a quart. The number for Redline is (707)745-6100 or www.redlineoil.com

Sorry about the wrong info earlier.

Cheers!

Jim
Jim Rice

Gordon,

MGB owners use motor oil in their gearboxes (seriously, they do, the manual calls for it, around here the recomendation is straight 30 non-detergent) so anything that they advise I would take with a grain of salt.

I'm using the Redline 75W90NS in my TD. I think you would be ok with the MT-90 also. The trouble with modern hypoid oils is that they contain a friction modifier which has sulfer which is not compatible with the bronze parts of our synchros.

good luck,
dave
Dave Braun

I'm assuming I can use the same in both the dif and transmission...that is what i did when i changed it the first time...think the quantity required uses the full 2 quarts?
gblawson

That is correct Gordon!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

I've just gone through this at The Rockburn Pub (regular, weekly British Car & Cycle night).

I've decided to go with 20-50 regular motor oil in my TF transmission. From others there tonight, including a just-retired MGA racer, I'm reasonnably convinced that regular 20W-50 is the way to go, and hopefully, it will get me to and from Gatlinburg, plus a run at the 'Tail-of-the-Dragon'.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

I would say that the higher the SAE the better. At least 90 (available for tractors). Possibly 140.

Using normal motor oil makes gear shifts hard and noisy.

Denis Baggi
1950 TD
Denis L. Baggi

I think spending $10.00 a quart for Redline gearbox is outrageous.
I found a my local Grainger's a Shell high temp lubricant 90-140 gear oil for $12.00 a gallon, it has no HP additives.Works great.
Colin Stafford

The late Skip Kelsey recommended (and used) Redline MT-90 in the TD gearbox and Redline 75W90NS in the differential. It works fine for me, but YMMV.
Bud Krueger

I did the 75W90NS in both...
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gentlemen,
I have the RedLine MT90 in my Tranny and its never run better.
Gene
Gene Burgess

Let us know what you think after you've driven your TD, Gordon... or better yet, tell me in person on Wednesday!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

This thread was discussed between 30/05/2006 and 16/06/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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