Gearbox oil

[skyedriver]

Hi, In my day, gearbox oil was Hypoid 80 or 90. Wifes 306 book states 75W 80, with a load of other letters & numbers. Is this just Hypoid 80 with another name?
Eee I remember when it were all fields around here....

[Pigeon]

Hypoid oil is for back axles. It's designed to take the extreme pressures together with sliding contact that you get in the pinion/crownwheel meshing. You don't need it in a gearbox because there aren't hypoid gears there, just "ordinary" gear oil of the right weight.

[skyedriver]

I'm sure stuff like my old MG Midgets & "B" and also Escorts & Cortinas used Hypoid in the 'box as well, but I accept your advice about FWD cars. Now prob is the local garage only stocks 85W90 & I need 75W80. Looks like a 200 mile round trip to Inverness coming up.

[Pigeon]

skyedriver said:

I'm sure stuff like my old MG Midgets & "B" and also Escorts & Cortinas used Hypoid in the 'box as well, but I accept your advice about FWD cars.

I'm pretty sure my Morris Minor didn't use hypoid in the box, and totally sure my Volvo Amazon didn't, and my MZ doesn't... All use straightforward gear oil, or in the case of the Volvo, straight 30 grade engine oil for the benefit of the overdrive.

Sorry to hear about your long trip. Can't you find a mail order supplier?

[MGBV8]

Simon or Guy will save the trip and check correct spec

www.opieoils.co.uk/lubricants.htm

In general MGs B Midget use 20W50 engine oil