Jeff, Hardy Prentice will be your best source of information on synthetics,
as I know he has used Red Line for many years (with much success, I might
add).
One personal note of experience. At one time I did try synthetic gear lube
in my TR-4 transmission. It did not shift right - ground the gears and
felt like the synchros were shot every time I shifted (synchros were brand
new). After that race, I drained the synthetic and replaced it with
Valvoline 50 Wt. (my standard gearbox oil) and next time out it shifted
fine. From this experience, I concluded that the synthetic oil was perhaps
'too slippery' and would not allow the synchro rings to properly 'lock up'
on the gears. I never tried any further development.
Good Luck!
At 12:15 PM 2/23/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear Vintage Racers,
>
>We are considering switching to synthetics in our Triumph TR3
>motors and have questions so I thought I would first access the
>information available through these two lists. We have used
>standard petroleum based lubricants in the gear box and motor for
>many years without any noticeable problems.
>
>1. What are the advantages of synthetic oils and why does it
>appear everyone is using them in their race cars?
>
>2. Does synthetic motor oil require a different, "run in"
>procedure on a fresh motor?
>
>3. Are synthetics compatible with standard oils or do you have
>to do some exotic flushing procedures before switching?
>
>4. Any problems running synthetic gear oil in an overdrive
>transmission?
>
>5. Does anyone know some technical people at any of the
>manufacturers, i.e. Red Line, etc.?
>
>Anxiously awaiting your replies.
>
>Jeff Snook
>Battle of Britain Racing
>Bowling Green, Ohio
>
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