Hi all:

I am starting to have some engauging problems with the Laycock de Normanville type "P" OD unit installed in the car. It probably needs a rebuid, as it is getting steadily worse. I'd like to postpone the rebuild for a awhile.

The specs call for Type F ATF to be used in the tranny and OD. Has anyone used a heavier gear or motor oil, in these units, to postpone a rebuild?

OD operatation is excellent until the oil gets hot. Then it gets touchy. I'm wondering if a heavier oil would be a temporary fix.

Thanks
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86 740 B230FT Wagon, 83 760 GLE D24T, 54 Packard Pacific Hdtp

Use REDLINE MTL!!! I had the exact same thing. NO other oil would even make it work anymore. With Redline MTL, i have had ZERO problems for 3 years/at least 20K. Made me a true believer in good oils.

Mine is diong the same thing. I used 2 quarts GM syncomesh fluid and a quart of 80-90 then filled w/ ATF. Works lots better now.

There are some ATF additives available that may help. I believe there's one available specifically for manuals using ATF fluid but I just put half a cup or so of the normal stuff in my M46 and it seems too have helped.

Have you checked the filter in it? A few things that I've read about the unit all seemed to agree that heavier than ATF only caused problems that were not otherwise there, often some degree of very harsh engagment or poor disengagement when not fully warmed (very bad if you have that condition and try to use reverse).

Since it is summer, a straight 40 or 50 weight motor oil would work for a while.

I would not go into winter with that lube in the unit or tranny.

How old is the current tranny fluid? Anything over 50,000 is too old.

Sometimes a change of ATF will "correct" the symptom for 5 to 7 thousand miles.

It is only a stop gap though. The NEW fluid will increase the pressures and function FOR A WHILE, but will also increase the rate at which the actuating piston O-rings are failing. Higher pressures equal greater chance of blow by.

Duane