On my 1931 Chevrolet, I need to refill the manual transmission with fluid, but am having a difficult time locating the 600W fluid specified in the owners manual. The local auto parts store reccommended a 50W fluid gearbox fluid they stock. At another store I was able to locate an 85W - 140 fluid specification. Any suggestions on which type I should use or should I contiue to search for a 600W fluid? [img]images/icons/confused.gif" border="0[/img]<P>Also, I will need to fill the steering gearbox with fluid - could I use the same fluid that I use in the transmission?<P>Thanks,

[ply33]

The "600W" "steam cylinder oil" was, if I heard correctly, somewhere near a SAE100W gear lube viscosity.<P>There are still specialty suppliers that can get you 600W, but you may will be fine with the heavier 90W-140W gear lube from you local store.<P>50W sounds way too low a viscosity to me, so I would avoid it. If you viscosity is too low your transmission will be noisy and harder to shift.

I have used the equivalent of 90/140 in my <BR>'31 Chev for 28 years without any problem.<P>I have always used chassis grease in the steering box also without problems, but that is just my choice. I can offer nothing other than personal preference for that one.<P>hvs

[Rick Hoover]

31ChevyGuy,<P>The closest place for you to get the 600W Gear Oil would be Snyder's Antique Auto Parts in New Springfield, OH. Their phone number is toll free (888) 262-5712.<P>However, HVS is correct about the Chevrolet doing just fine using a 90-140W gear oil which you could pick up at your local auto parts store. That is all I ever used in my early Chevys also.<P>Rick

Thanks for everyone's input. For the time being I am going with the 45W-140 unitl I have a chance to change over later to the 600W. I was nearly 3/4 of a quart low on fluid. This may have been some of the problem I was having with the shifting. Between the adjustments and addition of fluid the car shifts much better - for a nonsync transmission! [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img]

I have used STP with good results in non syncro transmissions and also in manual steering boxes.Good luck

[18DodgeBrothers]

Our 1918 Dodge Brothers manual also states 600W for the transmission. The DB club newsletter recently had an extensive article on lubricants. A few of the suggested replacements are Shell OMALA and Mobilgear SHC680. They are ISO 680 and apparently close to the old 600W. I was able to order an equivalent to these from a local bulk oil distributor here in town -- 5 gallons minimum.

There are a number of us using Mobilux Ep 023 in the transmissions and rears of early teens cars. It is the consistency of steam cylinder oil and really works well on the early cars. However I have not changed over to it on my '31 Chevy, as the 90/140 has served me well for many years. In the '60s I used plain ol' SAE 90 in the transmissions of many cars without problems.<P>As always, this is just my opinion based personal experience, so take free advice as possibly being worth what you paid for it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img] ~ hvs