Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Talk about the E-Type Series 2

Topic author
Piscator
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 8:08 pm
Location: Wirral
Great Britain

#1 Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by Piscator » Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:41 pm

I would like advice or recommendations for suitable gearbox and lsd oil, please.
I have heard that Redline MT90 is suitable for both gearbox and lsd. I think that Castrol EP90 is a replacement for Castrol Hypoy, but presumably needs an additive for the lsd.

Can anyone please advise the capacity of the gearbox as there is an inconsistency in the handbook, which refers to a difference between 'early' and 'later' cars. If this really does relate to the S2, when did the change occur (engine/chassis no.)?

Finally, is the GL4 or GL5 classification of any significance to our cars?

Many thanks for any assistance anyone can give me.
John L

1969 S2 OTS RHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8071
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#2 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by mgcjag » Sun Jul 17, 2022 8:01 pm

Yes for gearbox...not suitable for diff....look at the spec https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-90-75w90-gl-4-gear-oil or search on the forum
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

rswaffie
Posts: 1647
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:56 am
Location: Lincolnshire
Great Britain

#3 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by rswaffie » Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:32 pm

Hi
In my 63 s1, the moss box seems to like the MT90 as did a similar box in my previous Austin Healey 3000.
When Alan Slawson rebuilt my powerlok diff, he included the following info re oil:

Warning Note – Castrol ‘Axle Z90’ limited slip oil or quality equivalent oil to be used for the LSD unit.
Synthetic or semi-synthetic oils do not work in these units and MUST not be used


He supplied the Z90 oil for the diff as part of his service.
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8071
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#4 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by mgcjag » Mon Jul 18, 2022 7:45 am

Redline have the MT90 and MTL.........have a search through the forum. ....MTL is typically refered to for the Moss box and MT90 for thr 4 syncro. .....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mach2andy
Posts: 298
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:31 am
Great Britain

#5 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by mach2andy » Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:27 am

My freshly overhauled completely leak free gearbox was a bit tight engaging 1st and 2nd gear, & to try to overcome this I drained it and refilled it with Redline MT90. It then leaked like a sieve and I had to drain it and refill it with standard EP oil.
Andy
1970 S2 FHC
1965 SB Corvette Ragtop

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


johnetype
Posts: 474
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:54 pm
Location: Worcestershire
Great Britain

#6 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by johnetype » Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:02 am

My experience with Redline MT oil in my gearbox was the same as Andy's; the gear change wasn't noticeably better and the gearbox leaked liked a sieve from the rear seal. However, others report a different experience so do a search on previous posts on the topic to help you.

GL4 and GL5.

GL5 has a sulphur based additive which is not kind to "yellow" metals, e.g. bronze and brass, so do not use GL5 in a Jaguar gearbox.

As for capacity, use the fill plug (on the RHS for later gearboxes) as the definitive level.
John

1969 Series 2 FHC

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Gfhug
Posts: 3289
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty
Great Britain

#7 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by Gfhug » Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:02 am

John, the gearbox capacity for the S2 did get wrongly converted between imperial and other measurements.
And has been pointed out the filler could be on the right with no hole in the gearbox tunnel to gain access, so it’s from underneath the car with a simple squeeze bottle with a spout to fill.

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Piscator
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 8:08 pm
Location: Wirral
Great Britain

#8 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by Piscator » Thu Jul 21, 2022 7:10 pm

Many thanks to everyone who replied. I now have (most of) the answers I was looking for.

I'll go with something like Castrol EP90 for the gearbox.

I now know I have the later gearbox (access hole on the left, filler plug on the right---pretty obvious really when it is pointed out!).

I am still not sure what to use for the diff. The Castrol Axle Z90 has been apparently superseded by Transmax LSD Z85w-90, which is rated GL5.

Still, I feel I have made good progress---thank you, Steve, Richard, Andy, John and Geoff for taking the trouble to assist. :bigrin:
John L

1969 S2 OTS RHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Gfhug
Posts: 3289
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty
Great Britain

#9 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by Gfhug » Thu Jul 21, 2022 7:57 pm

John, if that is what has taken the place of Z90 I’d go for it. You could always try asking Alan Slawson for his up to date advice.

http://www.ajsengineering.com/

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8071
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#10 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by mgcjag » Thu Jul 21, 2022 8:24 pm

Hi John...the diff isnt fussy....as per Jag spec EP90.....if you have lsd....then EP90 with lsd addative... you can get plenty if different oils with addative already in .....have a look at Morris.....easy to get and they have a great technical helphine if you need it......Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


colinevans
Posts: 178
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2015 6:54 am
Location: Dorset, UK
Great Britain

#11 Re: Gearbox and lsd oil recommendation

Post by colinevans » Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:04 pm

Hi John
When Alan Slawson rebuilt my diff last year he recommended Castrol Axle Z limited slip 90.
Regards Colin
Colin
Series 2 OTS, 280SL

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic