Anyone? Ill be pulling the axes this weekend from my 72 GS 350 Conv. for bearing replacement. few questions I have... 1 - bought a new gasket for the rear end cover. 10 bolt. Havent crawled under yet to make sure thats right. Do I have the right one? Its the stock 3.08 rear. 2 - Can I clean out the axel tubes with something? Brake cleaner? Or just drain and fill with new fluid after my axels are back in? 3 - Autozone told me I can use 80W 90 gear oil. Thats ok? I bought a gallon. Im assume that has to be enough. Thanks
Because dinosaurs had B.O. (at least that's what my dad always told me...) 1. Stock rear should be a GM 10-bolt. 2. Gasoline is prolly the best thing to cut gear lube - I've used a broomhandle with a rag tied to the end, looks like one of those things they used to clean cannons with. 3. 80-90 is what you need, a gallon should be way more than you need. If it's a posi, you'll need some posi additive.
For cleaning of housings, I've always used mineral spirits & variety of wire brushs. Make sure you have good ventilation, a fan helps. In the partscleaner, I use Zep. Not near as nasty to have indoors & to inhale. Qty wise you'll need 2 qts of 80w90 & one small bottle of GM posi additive. Disassembling & shimming up the 8.5 clutch type posi carrier, rub straight GM posi additive into each new clutch, then mix the rest in partial qt of 80w90. Got Posi? :3gears: Roger
Thanks for the info guys. Its a peg legger so I wont need the posi additive. Ill probably use gas to clean the housing and gears. Let it all dry, and use 2 qrts of 80w90 with a new cover gasket too.
I always assumed they put artificial stink in there so the source of the leak could be easily identified.
My old time GM mechanic friend told me that up until the early 70's gear oil was made from whale oil! Maybe remnants left hence the stink! More happy whales now. :laugh:
You're right on with whale oil. Sperm Whale Oil to be more specific. There is a small write up about in on http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/lubegard.htm
Saw this on a t-shirt once; "Gear Oil: Lube with it, Cook with it, Use it as Perfume. It's a Way of Life." :TU: I still like Dad's explanation best... :grin:
I had a buddy once tell me that you would stink too if you rode around in a rearend all the time.... uzzled: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Best thing to use to clean gear oil from a rear is to drain the fluid. Then refill with ATF and drive the car easy. The ATF really cuts the gear oil. Make sure you then use the proper fluid. I have used this with both posi and non posi rears has helped with clutch chatter in a posi. Dave
whale oil Yes, it used to have whale oil in it. Sperm whale oil even. guess what part of the whale it came from? Sperm whales have a "tank" of oil in their head that they use for bouyancy. Changing the temp of the oil makes them more or less bouyant. By the way, each whale can have fron 200 to 500 gallons of oil in their head.
Might you consider a synthetic? I used Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil (and the additive) and it seemed to solve my posi chatter noise. Can't hurt on gas mileage either!
I did an oil change on my Explorer on saturday, picked up a quart bottle of Lucas too as I put one in with every oil change. The Lucas oil additive says you can put 50% to 100% in differetials, with no additive required for posi. Anyone ever use 100% Lucas. I was thinking Id bring back the gallon of 80w90 I got and get a couple quarts of lucas.
Hmmmmmmm, I had always heard the big stink came from the sulpher content in the lube. the Whale oil idea also sounds plausible except I don't think they use whale oil anymore? Anyway it might simply be a combination of sulpher,condensation,whale oil? and old age. New lube isn't quite as offensive. Anyone ever get it in their hair?
Eaton warns against using Synthetics in their new posi units? I use regular rear end fluid with a bottle of GM posi additive. No noise!
Stock gear oil didnt smell bad at all. Yes the stuff that came in our cars when new was made from whale oil.
