What are the special wear additives?

[ervinn]

As I understand it, the transmission in the 1976 Spider 124 requires GL-1 80W/90 oil (non EP) containing special anti-wear additives. Does anyone know what the special wear additives are? More specifically, will I need to purchase the additives seperately or is there a product that I can get that is the ideal product?

[124cso]

Those things are all trade secrets of the oil companies. I think they are just saying you need to buy a propper gear oil rather than "any old oil"- NOT engine oil, NOT 3-in-1 etc. There has been enough debate on here and other forums over what gear oils to buy so do a search of old threads.
Lots of debate over "EP" oil too. A 124 , 125 or 132 4 speed take EP oil but bolt on a rear housing for 5th and suddenly they say "non EP" but the bronze synchros in both are the same part number, so ?????

FYI most of the additives are very hard for an individual to buy because many are so poisonous and expensive as they are only used in parts per million. Items such as lead, graphite, mobyleum, sulphur, phosphorous, sodium and other more bizarre items.
Try buying the last 3 and you'll have the Feds camped in your yard.

[ervinn]

Thanks for your response. It was helpful. I've also read many of the other threads and am taking it all into consideration. I've also asked an oil rep to look into this and mentioned the bronze synchros and the warnings against using the wrong type of oil in this transmission. I'm not at all able to make my own opinion yet. On the one hand I'm thinking GL-1 is the recommended spec because in 1976 that is the oil that was likely the best oil spec available for this application; on the other hand it might be critical that I use GL-1, non-ep 90 weight oil for this application. As I gain more information about what is the best oil specification available today for use in a 1976 Fiat Spider 124 transmission, I hope to be able to not only make mine last a lot longer but also to join in and help others, like yourself, to do the same.

[bradartigue]

Thanks for your response. It was helpful. I've also read many of the other threads and am taking it all into consideration. I've also asked an oil rep to look into this and mentioned the bronze synchros and the warnings against using the wrong type of oil in this transmission. I'm not at all able to make my own opinion yet. On the one hand I'm thinking GL-1 is the recommended spec because in 1976 that is the oil that was likely the best oil spec available for this application; on the other hand it might be critical that I use GL-1, non-ep 90 weight oil for this application. As I gain more information about what is the best oil specification available today for use in a 1976 Fiat Spider 124 transmission, I hope to be able to not only make mine last a lot longer but also to join in and help others, like yourself, to do the same.

I don't think the oils ever caused issues with the cars; I think drivers and the way they drive cause issues. There are 40 and 50 year old transmissions running around with GL-1 that work just fine, and there are 2 year old transmissions with gee-whiz oils like Redline that are trashed. In both cases the driver, not the oil, makes the difference.

Use the modern equivalent of what they specified and you'll do pretty good. Experiment with your transmission and you'll have a grenade.

[124cso]

It depends on what you can get access to. I found that FUCHS had a suitable oil (Titan something) so others will too. You also need to be able to buy it in small quantities. - There are lots available in 20 to 50 gallon drums !

[ervinn]

All the talk about needing GL-1 for the the '76 Fiat Spider is interesting. What I'm not hearing is just as interesting; that a lot of cars from that generation had brass synchros and, maybe it's just me, I'm not hearing that a particular oil is required for them. Brad Artigue makes an excellent point about how to take care of a transmission.

[beater]

This topic has been discussed in several threads and I've read them all and did other research as well. It becomes pretty clear that GL-1 oil is the best bet to avoid corrosion of yellow metal which the spider transmissions have. Apparently the higher the number the higher the amount of additives so a GL-5 is not good. I took the GL-5 out of my transmission and put in GL-1 just to be safe. Not easy to find in Canada though so I had to pick it up from NAPA in the States.

[ervinn]

Oil Mart in Winnipeg has the GL-1. Agree that it is hard to come by in Canada. The NAPA part number for the GL-1 in the US is for a spray gun in Canada.

[TX82FIAT]

Ageed, use GL1, the driver has the greatest impact on transmission failure. unfortunately on a 30 plus year old car we are not sure in some cases who the car was driven buy and how they drove it. Most of our cars at some opoint had prior owners and sorting out the details to make the car right can be laborious. Chances are that some kid at some point drove your car in a manner that is not complimentary to the long term health of your transmission.

close inspection, test drive and accurate history become critical in the buy decison. Even then, doing all the right things, you may end up with a transmission problem.

[DUCeditor]

I can't speak to the chemistry, but I can say that replacing the oil in my `77 with Redline made a night and day difference. What had been a balky box became smooth and sure. Even the slow synchronizors for a time were able to keep up with my shifting. (Now, several years later, the 3 to 2 downshift again requires double clutching)

-Don

[124cso]

(Now, several years later, the 3 to 2 downshift again requires double clutching)

-Don

Allways should do anyway as it extends clutch life.