From: STEVE JONES - PWA7C - [email protected]
Date: 15 Dec 2002
Time: 21:03:33
Remote Name: 195.93.32.11
IAN:
Thought that might be the case. Caught me out earlier in the year as well.
I am no expert on oils but some years ago, our local Pre-War Group organised an evening trip to Millers Oils at Brighouse that was very informative.
Millers explained that multigrade oils, as they "wear" revert to the less viscous end of their grade ie. 20/50 will ultimatly become straight 20. They also gave details of multigrade oils they had tested manufactured by other Companies which, while, say, 20/50 when new reverted to straight 20 VERY quickly. One brand they reported on is sold extensively to the Vintage/Classic market and well known to us all!!!
If you haven't changed your gearbox oil in years, therefore, it may be that it is full of SAE20. Would explain the increase in noise.
We are fortunate that Millers are not too far away from us and they produce a vast range of oils in all grades. SAE50 is available off the shelf from their factory shop and is also available, to order, from their nationwide distributors.
Problem is, if you go to your local Millers distributor he may well have to order a case which he might be unwilling to do if you only want 5litres. Worth a try though particularly if you could find some mates to share it with. A friend bought 25 litres of SAE140 some years ago and split it into 5x5 litres for a group of us. I've stil got loads left of my batch!!
Failing that, look through your local Yellow Pages for 'Lubricant Manufacturers & Suppliers'. Ours lists 11 firms locally and each advertise a full range of oils and lubricants. I have used some of these in the past and supplying such as SAE50 is no problem to them at all. Remember, just because it doesn't say Castrol, Esso, Shell etc. etc. on the side of the tin (plastic??), it doesn't mean it's no good. Many times, you are just paying for the name.
Hope that helps.
STEVE