Gear Lube for 1925 DB???

Can anyone out there tell me what brand gear lube we need to use on our 1925 DB Sedan transmission?

The manual calls for heavy gear oil - but I'd like to know what others are using, brand, etc.

Thanks!

Pooh + Co.

Poohbear, do a search on gearlube or transmission oil here in the DB section. You should find plenty of opinions. Don't have the paper in front of me right now, but Frick Inc. has steam cylinder oil, they have a website. If you can't find it let me know I'll find the Phone No. How did the other problem turn out, a miss I think??

Thanks, NearChoclatetown, for the prompt reply! I'll get the "boys" on your lead - and will post back if they need phone number or more info.

Oh, yes - the "other" problem. We're now waiting for a visit by a DB "specialist" - hopefully he'll be able to work out something, i.e., date/time, with our "master mechanic"! Taken the DB to two local shows and it did extremely well - but just can't trust it yet to go too far afield without trailering.

Thanks again - and we'll probably be in touch!

Pooh + Co.

Over the years I have read a bit about gear oils. Early ones used a numbering system which differs from todays'. Such numbers as 600w and so forth. Forget about it. Go to the local auto store and get either 90 or 120 weight gear oil. Drain and recycle the old stuff and refill and top off to top of filler plug. Every year so so top off as some of the gear oil is now on the floor of your garage and along the highway. Don't buy the repacked stuff sold by some vendors who print labels saying original 600w when they repackage 90 or 120w gear oil.

Also use in your rear differential

Paul

The model "A" guys use a heavy 600 weight oil in their vehicles. I plan to use this in an "L" model Lincoln and a 1921 Studebaker "EJ" . This heavy oil quiets the transmission and rapidly damps the rpm of the free spinning gears resulting in a smoother shift on earlier type straight gears.

Thanks all for your rapid response.....we'll get this thing up and running (dependably, that is) sooner or later.....

Pooh & Co.

Hi,

I agree with Harry J. I use Shell 600W Super Cylinder Oil in my transmission and rear end and it certainly makes shifting easier. I think Snyder's, who sells Model "T" and "A" parts, has it right when they state, "The Ford car was designed to use this extra heavy clinging type oil in the rear axle. A lighter weight oil can be used, but the seals were not made for the lighter oils and you may have trouble with oil leaking." While they are talking about Fords, overall engineering was pretty much the same. The Dodge is going to leak no matter what, however since 600W remains thicker than the lighter weights when it heats up, the chances of it staying in your transmission or rear end is greater. Which I believe is a good thing!

Snyder's does sell 600W at $6.00 a quart, which is fairly steep compared to around $50 or so for a 5 gallon pail if you buy it bulk from a lubricants distributor.

Hope this helps!

POO BEAR

I TO OWN AND DRIVE A 1923 DODGE SCREENSIDE (TRUCK). BASICALLY RUNNING GEAR WISE IT IS THE SAME AS YOUR SEDAN. I RUN THE 600W CYLINDER OIL. I USED THE 90W AND 120W FOR A FEW YEARS. IT WORKED BUT DID SWEAT ON MY BRAKE DRUMS. THIS WAS NOT GOOD. WHEN I PUT THE 600W IN, THAT LEAK DISAPPEARED. NOW DON'T GET ME WRONG THE TRANSMIT ION AND REAR END STILL SWEAT OIL. MEANING THE BRAKE RODS IN THE REAR END ARE OILED BY THE 600W THROUGH VERY SMALL HOLES DRILLED BY THE FACTORY BEHIND THE BRAKE RODS. SO WHEN YOUR PARK THERE WILL BE A SPOT OF OIL. THIS IS NORMAL. FOR THIS REASON I AGREE WITH BUYING THE 5 GALLON BUCKET. I TOP MINE OFF AT LEAST TWICE A SUMMER. THIS LITTLE SPOT OF OIL MEANS WELCOME TO THE 1920'S. STATE OF THE ART SEALS WERE MADE OF FELT OR LEATHER.

HAVE FUN AND KEEP ON DRIVING.

OOPS LUNCH IS OVER.

CHEERS.

REUEL

poohbear, I finally found the paper I was loooking for. The Fritch co. phone is 1-800-232-6678. Fritch sells steam cylinder oil, which is what "they" recommend for DB trans and rear ends. 5 gal. pail is $.23/ gal on this price list. Located in Bethleham, Pa. My neighbor bought some, he said it cured his grinding between gears problem. I haven't switched yet, but intend to.

THANKS SOOOO MUCH to everyone who's been kind enough to help us with this. (As well as all of our other "problems".)

NEAR: Thanks for the phone number, too!

Dodge Brothers RULE (as does AACA!).....

Thanks again to each of you for your input.

Pooh (for the garage guys.) <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Just a quick response to all the advice given. I recently aquired a 1925 screenside and am restoring this winter but am trying to just figure everything out on first. It has been great! But without this forum and organization I really woulnt know squat yet. Thank you all as I have learned a great deal already but am looking forward to learning a lot more. Mixerman

near choclatetown

Is that price correct 5gal pail @.23/ gal ?

Joe C.

Sure doesn't SEEM correct. That was 5 years ago Joe, where do you think I laid that piece of paper? All I really remember is DON'T have it UPSed. It was concidered hazardous material and cost a ton.Let me check!

If you can get who makes it and a stock number maybe I can find it here in Akron.

Texaco Vanguard 680 is written on the one bucket, that was easy to find. I bought one of 600# and one of 900#. I know I saved the list but papers and I don't get along, it could be on my desk and that's trouble. The rep I talked to knew what I was looking for as he sells to Stroudsburg RR for their steam engines.

Thanks

Before you contact an a out of state company for this 600W steam cylinder oil, I suggest you call around to local fuel oil distributors near your home. Fritch is located in my backyard yet I was able to locate a number of fuel oil distributors in this same area (Lehigh Valley) who also had this product (and at a lower price). I bought a 5 gallon pail from Macmillan Oil Company of Allentown, PA. The freight cost to Ohio will probably be as much as the gallons ordered. I hate seeing people waste money.

Best Regards.

No I'm going to look in Akron for it.

No one sells Texaco products around here.

Try looking up penrite, they make all sorts of stuff. I use 250 sae? told it is thicker than 600w. worth a look.

When I bought the transmission oil for my '25, I simply asked for 600W steam cylinder oil --- was not worried about what brand name I was sold.

I recently emailed a company about steam cylinder oil and prices, here's a copy of his reply if this will help anyone.... hold your breath, the prices are a "little higher" than the $0.23 / gallon I've asked for a qupte for a 5 gallon pail of the stuff but I haven't gotten a reply yet.

<span style="color: #3366FF">Hi Dave:

Thank you for your inquiry. Our GL680 is a good substitute for the old Mobil 600W and 600W Super oils. However, most of the vintage car owners that are using our oils are more happy with our GL1500 which is a much heavier oil. It is more like the old transmission greases that were once quite common. It works very well in spur gear transmissions and is reported to make the shifting much easier with very little grinding of the gears.

(1) one quart bottle of the GL680 Green Velvet Mineral Gear Oil costs $18.08 plus $11.00 shipping and handling for a total cost of 29.08.

(1) one quart bottle of GL1500 Green Velvet Mineral Gear Oil costs $17.86 plus $11.00 shipping and handling for a total cost of $29.86.

If you have further questions or would like to place a order please contact us at 606-376-3035. Thank you again for your email.

Sincerely,

Bill Petitjean

Lubrication Specialties Corporation

606-376-3035

www.steamenginelube.com

Stearns, Kentucky</span>