[Healeys] SAE 140 Use In Differential To Reduce Noise?

[Peter & Veronica]

Hi Graham

I've been using Penrite 85W140 in all of my diffs (3x BN1, 2 X Series 
Landrover, and before that a Daimler 2.5 litre V8, for years. This was on 
the recommendation of the people who redid the Daimler diff. There's always 
plenty of oil at the wheel bearings when I take off a hub.

Cheers

Peter Linn
Brisbane

BN1 Ward Special coupe
BN1 Holden V6
BN1 Ausca
Landrover Series 3 LWB


-----Original Message----- 
From: Graham Wilkie
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 12:42 PM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: [Healeys] SAE 140 Use In Differential To Reduce Noise?

Hello All,

The differential on my 1966 BJ8 starts to whine once I have driven for 
several
miles, and everything has warmed up to normal operating temperature. It only
occurs during accelerator pedal movement down (under load). The whining
diminishes during coasting or deceleration.

The differential is filled with Penrite 80W 90 mineral gear oil. (Recently
changed).

I am considering replacing my differential gear oil with Penrite SAE 140
mineral gear oil. (Note no 'W' prefix; it is straight SAE 140). This product
claims it will reduce differential noise in older vehicles. I wonder if it 
is
suitable for our Healeys?

I seem to recall reading on the List that our rear wheel bearings are splash
lubricated by differential oil, but cannot find any reference to that in my
workshop manual. Is that correct? I'm concerned that if that is the case, 
will
the SAE 140 be too viscous to splash lubricate the rear wheel bearings
effectively?

Would I be better of using a gear oil additive like Nulon G70 instead?

Any shared thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Regards, Graham Wilkie.
BJ8 Moruya NSW Australia.