British-Cars.org

Welcome to the DMR Site for British Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Redline MT-90?

I remember reading that some members were using the Redline MT-90 in their T series gearbox, and it really helped with shifting....
First, did I remember correctly? Second, can it also be used in the pumpkin?
Edward
E.B. Wesson

I'm using it and I've been pleased. At least I think it's MT-90. Might be MTL. Whichever one is the same weight as the original oil....

Don't use MT-90/MTL in your diff -- the "MT" means "manual transmission". RedLine have gear oils specifically for differentials (the diff oils have sulfur-based extreme pressure -- EP -- additives, whereas the transmission oils don't).
Rob Edwards

Edward,
I put the Redline MT-90 in the tranny last spring and found the shifting to be smoother, and the gears were not as noisy. From my experience, I would not hesitate to recommend it's use. Apparently, it is not recommended for the pumpkin.

George
George Raham [TD4224]

I switched to Redline since shifting to 3rd, upshift or downshift, was tough at times. Shifting did not improve and gear noise is louder. The plan is to go back to go back to gear lube.

In the long run, the "correct" engine is going back in with a different tranny, so there's no plans to replace synchros.
Jim Northrup

My experience is identical to Jim's above. It made no difference.
efh Haskell

Ditto the no difference here.

I have what I think is a lot of gear noise but never having heard another TD I can't say it's abnormal or not. Shifted ok before and after. Noise was the same. Just more cost, and makes me cringe when I see it leaking out of that damn speedo cable all the time.
L Rutt

One more opinion (like eyes, everyone has one, or two, or three):
I put it in the TF gearbox late last Spring, and it did make a difference, slightly smoother shifts, maybe less noise. Not great, but a difference. I'll continue to use it. Before using, it was a bit rough shifting, compared to what I remember the TD being, many yrs ago.
Al
A W Parker

Thanks for the response...I have a quart of MT-90, and will go ahead and use it for the tranny....
Since the WSM calls for a hypoid oil in the pumpkin, I did assume that it could not be used there, but since the MT 90 is so costly, I was hoping it was usable there too.
My tranny was always a little hard to shift, but it is only noisy in first gear...
Will be interesting to see if it helps, hurts, or makes no difference....
Edward
E.B. Wesson

My Syncros are not that good. You can't speed shift without a clash so I usually double clutch. I've heard that Some oils are too slippery which is good for long life but may cause the syncros to slip. Anyone else have syncro problems or solutions?
Chuck
cj schmit

The objective observations are that the MT-90 will make little if any noticeable difference, BUT it will leak a lot more.
Dallas Congleton

>The objective observations are that the MT-90 will make little if any noticeable difference, BUT it will leak a lot more.

Careful with the generalizations! MY objective observations are to the contrary -- shifting is improved and my transmission leaks no more than it did before (which is not to say it doesn't leak; only that the rate did not noticeably increase).
Rob Edwards

Rob, I am referring to dozens of comments from other long time users in both the Austin Healey and Jaguar communities as well as the TDs over several years now. Redline is not a new panacea..

Obviously your mileage has varied.

Dallas
Dallas Congleton

Hi Dallas,

>Obviously your mileage has varied.

That was exactly my point. Mileage /does/ vary, therefore generalizations like:

>The objective observations are that the MT-90 will make little if any noticeable difference, BUT it will leak a lot more.

...aren't accurate. It denies some of the results.

"Once all the evidence to the contrary was discarded, the hypothesis was proved."
Rob Edwards

Not MG T but, my new-to-me Jeep transmission was a little loud. I drained some ugly looking rather thin oil and replaced it with 90w. Well, it noticeably reduced the noise but the synchros didn't like it. It calls for very light oil but I assumed that was mostly for mileage.

The hydraulic oil I use in one of my tractors is in a common sump for the transmission, rear-end, and hydraulic system. It's not cheap and it takes almost 50 gallons. I decided to try that as a compromise and it's working well. Most but not all of the noise is gone and it shifts very well except when very cold.

Eventually I'll have to get into that box but for the short term, the tractor oil is going to work.
JE Carroll

I have MT 90 in my MK2 Jag and my MG TF 1955 and have been astounded by the results. Unlike all those snake oil additives ir really did make a difference for both gear boxes. It is also compatible with the brass synchros...
Only put GL 4 grade oils in your box as GL 5 will react with your synchros...ok to put GL5 in your diff.

Never heard what a pumpkin is... ?

Dave
Dave Moore

I switched to Redline last year. Noticeably better gear changes, no change to my small oil leaks.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

Pumpkin=Differential housing....
Edward
E.B. Wesson

I have been running MT 90 in a 53 TD for many years. Much smoother shifting if you do not hurry it but little change in gear noise in first/second. No significant leaks.


Jim Haskins

1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

As I have mentioned in my above comment, I put the MT 90 in the tranny "last spring" and it should have been the spring of 2010. In the spring of 2011, I prepared the TD for the trip to Reno in June. Naturaly, one of the items on the check list was the transmission. The level of fluid was still near the top of the "normal" range. I added no fluid, but took note of where the level was. After covering 2500 miles at mostly H'way speeds [65/70 mph], I checked the tranny again, and found it down less than 1/8th inch on the dipstick but still well within the "normal" range. I think those who have experienced fluid loss, should consider new seals and or gaskets. I rebuilt the tranny over 10 years ago, while not new, it is still in good condition.

George
George Raham [TD4224]

The Ring & Pinion gear assembly construction pictured below can be described as "center section," "dropout," "Pumpkin"...

Personally, I like "PIG" as in short for "PInion Gears."

Jim Northrup

Gentlemen,

I put RedLine MT90 in the TF over 10 years ago, very early in its first days of my ownership. It absolutely changed the personality of the transmission to the good.

It shifts much better, grinds gears far less, and is far less noisy than it previously was. As for leaks, who knows? I check the car's fluids frequently, as it anoints its territory every where its parked.

Gene
P Burgess

... love the MT90 in my TF g/b and it will be going into my PA too.

Jim Northrup - I feel your g/b needs attention. There is always a point where even the marvels of MT90 will have no effect.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

This thread was discussed between 06/01/2012 and 08/01/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now