Gear Oil Weight???

Rluther · Mar 11, 2015

What is the recommended gear oil weight for a 1952 MM ZAN???

ChrisQ · Mar 11, 2015

We go for the thickest oil you can find for those old rear ends. Originally they would have had 90wt. 1952 90wt looks like molasses. Its black and very thick. Todays oils are much better than what they had then. We have flushed and cleaned out a couple of older rear ends on Z's and U's. They were quiet with the old oil. Now with the new 90wt they have a lot of gear noise. We have now started using 140wt which seems to work well. Almost any new gear lube will be better than what they had in 1952. The same goes for engines and hydraulics. We use 15-40 diesel oil in engines and hydraulics get quicklift hydraulic fluid. We use these because it is what we have in bulk. Hopefully this helps you some.

Alan K · Mar 12, 2015

Originally they were straight 140w and according to the manual, for winter use, you were supposed to thin it out with kerosene and then drain and refill with fresh 140 in the spring. That was before multi-grade oils. I agree with Chris, the heavier the better. Heavier oil absorbs the gear clash noise better. Some places still carry 140w but Im sure it isn't cheap.

Rluther · Mar 12, 2015

Thank y'all for your help

Gear Oil Weight???

Rluther

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ChrisQ

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Alan K

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Rluther

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