Gear Oil other than Swepco

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g3ngs2
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Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by g3ngs2 »

As I remember things Swepco was the only thing that was suggested to go into a 915 gearbox.

Having a rumage in the garage there's even a gallon of it from way back when (as in about 17 years ago) trouble is that it was opened but not used back then and it doesn't seem very available around these parts at the moment.

Reading around allegedly Motul mineral 80/90 GL5 should be good, can anyone confirm, deny, recommend.

Ultimately the box will be rebuilt, as some finesse is needed to go up to 3rd, but in the meantime...

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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

I always used a good quality hypoid EP90 gear oil - usually bought from Eurocar Parts or GSF ...

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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by misteralz »

Oil doesn't go off, although oxygen and moisture will have an effect. An opened gallon tin in a box that's going to be rebuilt? I wouldn't think twice about using it.
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by g3ngs2 »

Thanks and thanks, so that would be an alternate to the Kendall that's doing the rounds and on sale at Pelican.

It's the moisture that I've got in mind on that old Swepco being an issue. Like you say the box will get rebuilt, but I'm not against it going a bit longer before it does either.



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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by misteralz »

I really wouldn't worry about it. Plastic or steel container? Kept in a dry shed or under a tarpaulin at the bottom of the garden, under some trees? It'll be fine.
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by 911GP »

We used Castrol B373 after my gearbox rebuild.
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by KS »

I use the Motul and it seems fine. Any better than others? Couldn't say!
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by 911hillclimber »

I tried Swepco a decade ago, and it was not good. Dropped that after 1 month of use.
Advice above imho is correct. Using Motul now in my race 915 box and it feels good.

Used to use Shell EP90 which was good too.
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by g3ngs2 »

Thanks both, I'm leaning towards the Motul. I think the Swepco gained popularity back then as for a bit it was the only game in town and had some success with some of the US racers. Either way it's prett unobtainable these days.

Heard good things on the Motul and the price is comparable to other options.

Leaning towards the Motul mineral 80w90 HD. May be a bit of a chore whilst it warms up, but that feels like a fair swap

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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by neilbardsley »

I use motul oil for long trips but never mineral. Buy a good synthetic. It's much better. As Andy said any good quality 80/90. Personally I use Smith and Allan

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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by Nine One One »

I think Mike Bainbridge recommended any good EP90 MINERAL oil for my rebuilt box.

There was a big discussion on here some time ago about SWEPCO and other synthetic oils, the consensus being that some of the synthetic oils were not good for the syncs or baulk rings?
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by 911hillclimber »

Mike has rebuilt 4 of my boxes, and he said the same every time.

You may have to take advice depending on the type of LSD if fitted, but mine has MOTUL HD 80W90 Mineral.

No bulking from cold (ie 5 to 10 Deg C).
The 915 I refer to tolerates hill climb use of very hard standing starts from cold rather than 400 miles @ 70 mph which may influence any comments.

My road 915 73T uses Shell 90W and is great, box again rebuilt by Mike.

As a passing comment, the box in my 73T was never 'perfect' until I re-installed a factory 915 gear shifter (big tower type) and suddenly the box came to a smooth slick performer after years of aftermarket and factory shift kits.
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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by g3ngs2 »

Well Steve at Jaz will be doing the box at the end of May. What's in there is what came in the mass Design 911 button clicking. That's their Millers 75w90 synthetic which doesn't feel great.

The idea is that gearbox should take a couple of weeks with time in hand for LMC.

In the meantime to go off to the Spa Classic in a couple of weeks I'm going to put in Motul mineral HD 80w/90, so at least there'll be a good few miles to report back on.

(Unless someone says are you mental, don't put that in)

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Re: Gear Oil other than Swepco

Post by g3ngs2 »

Update on the Motul HD 80w90 mineral

Upsides...
Got to Spa no probs with it as you'd kind of expect as it's just gear oil

Bit nervous about spanking it around the track given the occasional desire to gob out of 3rd gear which would sort of be a problem. Turned out no problems at all and no gobbing.

Downside that's really an upside
You definitely won't be driving fruitily until it's warmed up because it just won't let you change gears rapidly

Good because it seems that things changed at Jaz and the expected gearbox rebuild that was supposed to start tomorrow for completion pre LMC is now going to happen post LMC



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