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s-10 t-5 lube oil?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jetmek, Aug 14, 2008.

  1. jetmek
    Joined: Jan 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,847

    jetmek
    Member

    dumb question but what is the correct oil for t-5 trannys? guy at the parts counter says 90wt but a friend says atf
     
  2. gaschevy
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
    Posts: 70

    gaschevy
    BANNED

    I have a 97 S10 and it takes this high dollar crap you have to get through the dealer at $17 a quart. If anybody knows a substitute please let us know.
     
  3. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,350

    Tony
    Member

    I did a search online, and here and came up with the answer's i needed.
    Mine used ATF..it's a mid-late 80's T5. I put synthetic ATF in and it works good..shift's smooth no noise..But, mine did specified it, not gear oil.
    The thicker oil's tend to make them shift a bit harder..
    Do a search on google for it and you should be able to get what ya need,

    Tony
     
  4. t-town-track-t
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 884

    t-town-track-t
    Member
    from Tulsa


  5. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,712

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    Now I'm confused. I remember reading somewhere that 70 weight was to be used. Are different years supposed to use different weight oil? Both the S-10 T-5s I have, not in running cars yet, are the same code with mechanical speedometer drives.
     
  6. jetmek
    Joined: Jan 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,847

    jetmek
    Member

  7. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Use ATF.

    I use synthetic ATF - it only costs a couple bucks more.

    Some of the early NWC T5 used gear oil, some folks say to use MTF/Synchromesh. Ford recommended a 70WT equivalent for early NWC T5, but later changed to ATF for all.

    Use ATF.
     
  8. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,404

    alchemy
    Member

    Which kind of ATF?

    For a NWC '86 S-10 T5
     
  9. Crazydaddyo
    Joined: Apr 6, 2008
    Posts: 3,343

    Crazydaddyo
    Member

    I'm running a NWC S-10 / Jeep hybrid. All bearings and blocking rings are new.
    I started with 70w, then switched to ATF and I'm using Sycromesh now. Trans ran smooth and quiet with 70w but shiffted weird. Switched to ATF and it shifted better but was a little noisier. Now I'm running Sycromesh and it seams to be the best of all.
     
  10. Retrorod
    Joined: Jan 25, 2006
    Posts: 2,034

    Retrorod
    Member

    We switched from ATF to that expensive synchromesh stuff too. It seems to be the smoothest, quietest and best shifting fluid we've tried.
     
  11. Snarl
    Joined: Feb 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,639

    Snarl
    Member

    Dextron III or a synthetic equivalent.
     
  12. Armstrong
    Joined: Apr 17, 2004
    Posts: 371

    Armstrong
    Member

    What is this Synchromesh you speak of? Who makes it and where do you get it?
     
  13. Crazydaddyo
    Joined: Apr 6, 2008
    Posts: 3,343

    Crazydaddyo
    Member

  14. partsman
    Joined: May 18, 2008
    Posts: 79

    partsman
    Member

    The 90 and up T5s use atf dexron III, I run a napa store and some guys use the synchromesh when they have a noisy trans. the reason for not using gear oil is because the later trans have fiber blocker rings instead of brass. You can get the syncromesh from any parts store, Penzoil is the one we have its about 10 bucks a quart. Synthetic atf works great also I hade a shift problem in my 00 6 spd vette, it wouldn't go into first sometimes at a stop. Switched to the royal purple and 30,000 miles later it is still good. Hope this helps. I also ckd mitchell on demand and it said atf.
     
  15. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,661

    Truckedup
    Member

    GM T-5 service manual say Dextron ATF for WC and NWC. If you check online at sites selling tranny parts and upgrades,they most all recomend a light gear oil ,75w,for NWC and always ATF for a World Class.
     
  16. What EXACTLY is that sycromesh stuff you speak of?
     
  17. manual synchromesh light weight oil sold by GM is the best to use shifts smoother than atf and never use gear lube.
     
  18. zbuickman
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 465

    zbuickman
    Member

    t-5 uses ATF and the NP35(the other s-10 5 speed) uses the GM expensive shit:)
     
  19. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Redline's MTL is pretty similar to Synchromesh too...pricier though.

    NWC T5 use brass bushings on the gears, WC use bearings. The other difference is in the synchros & blocker rings - NWC use solid brass, WC uses two-piece bonded carbon-fiber. This is where BW changed their recommendations. OEMs varied with seemingly no consistency between them.

    I've seen folks run 40wt motor oil in NWC T5 with good luck. I've personally run synthetic ATF in all of 'em and not had any issues. Seen folks run OE gear oil in NWC. Folks report good results with Synchromesh in both WC & NWC and MTL in the same.

    Bottom line - I think anything will work in anything with the only exception being I wouldn't run gear oil in a WC.
     
  20. Vance
    Joined: Jan 3, 2005
    Posts: 2,135

    Vance
    Member
    from N/A

    When I bought my t-5, I asked the guy who goes by the name 'S10 Ron' what to use and with no hesitation said ATF. With a name like that, you kinda gotta go with him...

    Vance
     
  21. atf will work fine!
     
  22. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,350

    Tony
    Member

    One of the reason's i started searching when i did mine was right ont he side of the case it was marked in paint pen "30wt synth". Now, being a mechanic by trade this was new to me..
    NEVER seen motor oil in a trans..so it was a surprise.
    And although i was told it'll work, i chose to go with what was recommended by GM....So i flushed it out and went with ATF
    But i did step to up Synthetic..
     
  23. Vergil
    Joined: Dec 10, 2005
    Posts: 785

    Vergil
    Member

    I use Redline's MTL in my nwc, pricey but good product.

    Vergil
     

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