Gearbox/engine oil

[Stevie R]

Please can anyone advise, obviously there are loads of gearbox and engine oils out there but is there any specific ones that standout from the others?

[les]

If you choose a reputable make they all do the same job, there’s Duckhams, Castrol, Comma all 20/50. The list goes on.

[Stevie R]

Thanks for that, I presume I can use the same oil for both engine and gearbox?

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, you must use 20/50 for both.

[ManyMinors]

For many years I have used the 20/50 "Golden Film" multigrade oil produced by Morris's of Shrewsbury. It is widely available on the internet and from many suppliers. About £30.00 for 5litres including postage. Every long-term owner will have their favourite though

[Sleeper]

I tried Carlube Type R 20/50 , when hot It's like pi55 water , now on duckhams Q 20/50...

John ;-)

[svenedin]

Everybody in the classic car scene has their favourite oils. Our cars were designed and built before the modern super synthetic oils were developed. There are those who advocate using the cheapest 20/50 oil, such as sold in supermarkets and those who swear by modern semi or fully synthetic oils which are of course much more expensive. It is a big subject and a lot is written about it.

Personally, I would not worry too much about exactly which oil to use providing you follow the correct maintenance schedule. You must change the oil and the filter at the recommended intervals. For what it is worth, I use Millers Pistoneeze Classic 20/50 or Castrol Classic 20/50 depending on what is the best deal at the time.

Stephen

[olonas]

I tried Carlube Type R 20/50 , when hot It's like pi55 water , now on duckhams Q 20/50...

John ;-)

Consequently, I once used Carlube 20W50 and noticed a drop in oil pressure when at operating temperature. From the usual 35 p.s.i. to 60 p.s.i., depending on engine revs., down to 25 to 50 p.s.i. under the same conditions.
Now I have reverted to only use Comma Classic 20W50. Oil pressure restored!
And because I like green engine oil too.

[myoldjalopy]

Well, Halfords do a 20/50 Classic Car oil - and that's green too. It may be supplied by Castrol, or so I read somewhere.

[52MMConv]

I have an unrestored rib case box in my MM with a 1275 Marina engine conversion. The second gear syncro was weak and it needed a gentle touch to avoid a crunch. After recent major engine work I was putting it back in the car and as it was empty looked at the options. I used Redline fully synthetic MTL75W80 GL-4 and the box feels great - no hint of a crunch into second any more.
https://www.redlineoil.com/mtl-75w80-gl-4-gear-oil

[Peted7202]

Not common knowledge but many oils are produced in the same plants. Visited a well known supplier and noticed various cans in different liveries.

[geoberni]

Not common knowledge but many oils are produced in the same plants. Visited a well known supplier and noticed various cans in different liveries.

So you visited a 'supplier' that's different from a manufacturer/blender. Perhaps not the correct term.

The oil industry is a rabbit warren of take-overs, mergers and acquisitions at any time.

Take Duckhams for example.
In 2012, they announced the appointment of Moove Pro-Brands as the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of Duckhams lubricants across 47 European countries including Russia.

So who is Moove Pro-Brands?

Moove Pro-Brands is part of the Cosan Group of companies, with interests in the energy, infrastructure and logistics sectors. Moove was formed by Cosan in 2008 when it acquired the ExxonMobil shares in Brazil. Moove is now present across most of South America. In July 2012, Moove entered the European market, setting up its European Headquarters and production facility, in the UK.

Cosan operate in the United Kingdom under the brand name Moove, manufacturing and supplying Mobil Lubricants, Greases, Cutting Fluids, Coolants and Aerosols...

Apparently Halfords oil is made by Mobil, so does that mean Halfords and Duckhams are the same....
Most likely....

It's all like buying Lucas parts, you don't know where they're originated....

[olonas]

"It's all like buying Lucas parts, you don't know where they're originated.... "

I think we do - sadly.

[Bill_qaz]

If the specification and grade are correct the brand is just a personal thing,like price.
Regular oil and filter changes and level checks are far more important.