Ford 3000 + thicker transmission gear oil

xclr8n

Member
Is it ok to run a thicker gear oil or god forbid use an additive ie a high milage oil and seal conditioner to slow down the leak from the front transmission seal. It leaks significantly more than last fall (i used the tractor maybe 10 times this winter to plow snow). I'd like to wait til next winter to split the tractor if possible. 1966 Ford 3000, Diesel, 8 speed tranny,

This post was edited by xclr8n on 04/04/2022 at 08:15 am.
 
I'd say it probably would not hurt the gears but would no be good for the hydraulic pump. There's a filter on the inlet side and could possibly
starve the pump. Put a pan under it.
 
thanks for the reply Mike. The transmisission is a totally self contained unit. It doesn't share fluid with the rear diff which is where the hydraulic sump is. That's why I was thinking it would be ok to put some seal conditioner in it. I was thinking i really have nothing to lose (I hope).
 
You have no wet brakes or wet clutches in the 3000, and the trans is a separate reservoir. So yes, you can change the trans only to see what happens.
 
Thanks guys. I think I'll throw some seal conditioner in the transmission and see if that helps.
 
(quoted from post at 10:04:41 04/04/22) Is it ok to run a thicker gear oil or god forbid use an additive ie a high milage oil and seal conditioner to slow down the leak from the front transmission seal. It leaks significantly more than last fall (i used the tractor maybe 10 times this winter to plow snow). I'd like to wait til next winter to split the tractor if possible. 1966 Ford 3000, Diesel, 8 speed tranny,

This post was edited by xclr8n on 04/04/2022 at 08:15 am.
Make sure your transmission is not over full. It can be run a little low.
 
Thanks again for the replies.

I didn't realize gear oil was so expensive, especially synthetic

It may be a little over full. When I'm filling it and it starts to come out the level hole I just put my finger over the hole until i get the plug in. Then whatever fluid is still in the funnel is going in the trans. So it could be 1/4" too high.
 
So I removed the level plug from the trans after using the tractor for a few hours today and I'll bet a cup or 2 of fluid came out. It will be interesting to see if the leak from the cotter pin in the bell housing slows or stops (fingers crossed). One other interesting thing was that the fluid wasn't even warm. The outside temp was about 45 F
 

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