87 T-5 Fluid Question

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87 T-5 Fluid Question

October 29, 2006, 03:15:14 PM

I searched the forum, and found no exisiting thread. Now, before you yell at me for being a moron [Which I am at times, as we all are

] I just was curious, is it possible to go to a heavier fluid in the T-5 instead of Dex III? I don't really feel comfortable knowing my gears are in the hands of some pretty thin stuff. I just changed my fluid 2 weeks ago, and the original didn't look too bad, just a little brown from age, but no metal thank god. And i know it's never been changed, since both of the previous owners admitted to never messing with it or having it serivced.

It shifts just like a brand new tranny, but I wonder if I could get away with say 75w90 or so? Just for piece of mind...

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #1 – October 29, 2006, 07:16:43 PM

I think that rear end type lub will hurt the blocking rings and you will likely find that thicker fluids will make it harder to shift in cooler weather.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #2 – October 30, 2006, 10:43:15 AM

Hrm... makes sense, and in that case, do you know of any friction modifiers like they use in our rear ends that would work for a trans?

I know it sounds sort of strange, but I tend to shift pretty quick up through the gears during a fast run, and the trans just doesn't feel quite right sometimes... granted, it's got 113,000 on it, as well as the rest of the car, and hell... I still have the factory clutch, since [once again] the two previous owners did nothing to it but oil changes... I just get nervous when it doesn't go from 2nd to 3rd right away, and I have to wait 'till it drops to about 2k... there's no grinding, it's just like it hits the spot inbetween gears in the shift pattern and won't go anymore...

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #3 – October 30, 2006, 10:59:38 AM

NEVER put gear oil into a WC T5(which yours is).... You will destroy it.

Use ATF or a synthetic MTL (like Redline or Royal Purple) or GM Synchromesh

Sounds like the syncros are a bit balky ... If it's still the same with new ATF, try some of the synthetic lubes mentioned.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #4 – October 30, 2006, 11:05:38 AM

-check with a dealer or someone who carries BG products. they have an additive for manual trans that use ATF. i run it in my ranger dd with the 5sp mazda tranny. had good luck with it so far. have also used ford friction modifier for trac-loc rear ends with good results also.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #5 – October 31, 2006, 07:36:03 AM

actually you can use the same friction modifier for your rear end in your t5, ive used it for years and it makes shifting alot smoother.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #6 – October 31, 2006, 10:45:02 AM

Quote from: cougarman;110889

actually you can use the same friction modifier for your rear end in your t5, ive used it for years and it makes shifting alot smoother.

well, thats what i was meaning,

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #7 – November 01, 2006, 12:30:14 AM

its much easier to shift with tranny fluid,,,,,,,get it,,,,,,,"MUCH EASIER",,,

Previous years and an increasing amount of both dad and mom working brought attention to the standard drive being "kinda hard to shift" in the winter and the complaints being made mostly by mom.

So,,,,, thinner fluid it is and suddenly its easier to shift in the winter. Ask around and you find the same or similar responses when talking to tanny folks.

the solution,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 30w motor oil,,, like it use to be or there abouts.

Im running 30w in the wifes 351w 5speed as well as within the txfer case. Yep, its harder to shift in the winter,, bet it lubes up better all around though. Pick your brand 30w and get some piece of mind,, i feel exactly what you are saying.

If it sounds wrong then why is Allison providing data with the larger transmissions indicating that if you are in such and such temp range or climate ,, use Dex III. If you are in a climate or Temp range of say **the desert >ie-iraq with military applications** use 10w30?. Yep, they actually imply that information is important and the tranny i speak of is an automatic t boot.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #8 – November 01, 2006, 02:44:02 PM

My T5 with 178K om it shifts better now then when it was new. All thanks to Royal Purple Synchromesh.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #9 – November 01, 2006, 03:40:11 PM

I know in the earlier models they tell you to use syncromesh gear oil or dex. I used the dex but it was a little noisy so I added some of the syncromesh stuff and it quieted right up. Just like the book said it would. I know oreilly sells the pensoil version of it ask for syncromesh stuff.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #10 – November 01, 2006, 08:59:26 PM

I run Royal Purple ATF.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #11 – November 01, 2006, 10:18:20 PM

some schmuck put gear oil in my T5 before i got it. im hopin with a good douching of ATF and then a fill up of synthetic or synchromesh it will last a lil longer.

i have a spare tranny and a rebuild kit here, jus dont wanna jump into it jus yet.

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #12 – November 02, 2006, 05:20:38 PM

Gear lube will tear the lining out of the 1st & 2nd syncro cones... First T5 I ever dissambled had just that problem...

Good for me though, patient was a 2.3 '87 Stang I bought back in '93 for $1000... Fixed it for about $80 and a couple Saturday afternoons... Next one I wasn't so lucky.. 5.0 Stang with 1st and 2nd gears ripped out as well... After a rebuild kit($175) and $200 for gears it woked great(till I stripped the cluster on a 2-3 powershift).... Cost $600 the second time...

87 T-5 Fluid Question

Reply #13 – November 09, 2006, 11:15:58 PM

I agree with Chuck on the Syncros. I had a SROD in a `81 Capri do the same thing. As for the Dex III... I had an `86 Escort with a 4 speed that used Dex III. At 247,000 miles the trans still shifted without a single complaint (made one fluid change around 114,000). Yes, it still had the original clutch as well :D