Re: [VintageLambo] Second Gear

Hi Aaron, I once ran SAE 90 gear oil in my transmission. The 400 GT 2+2 owner"s manual specifies BP Gear Oil SAE 90 for the transmission. This, according to a lubrication specialist/vendor, equates to a mineral oil. So I drained out the hypoid-based oil and in went the mineral oil. The result was an instant lengthening to the time it took to make a smooth, grind-free shift. It was particularly noticable between 1st and 2nd. The mineral oil is not as slippery as the hypoid, so logic dictates that you would get improved grip from the baulking rings. Unfortunately, it didn"t happen. So I eventually returned to the special gear oil. I think your observation about the antiquated synchros we have spotlights most of the problem, and the only sure way to avoid the crunching noise is to double clutch and exercise care. But I am still tempted to try the synthetic Mobil 1. B/R, Jack Robinson, Aaron wrote: I have Mobil 1 in my S1 gearbox but I think that may be contributing to the syncro trouble (in my case it is 3rd gear that is the most tired). Remember, the syncro relies on friction to equalize the speeds between the cog and the output sleeve so the more lubricity you have, especially when cold, the longer it may take to do its job. The real benefit I see to synthetic is during cold running. The stick is lighter and more shiftable from startup through operating temp. Next time I have the passenger exhaust off I may try switching to mineral oil to see if that changes the syncro performance. Also, the Espada box with its long throws and single-cone syncros is just plain slow, especially compared to modern high performance boxes which have super-short throws and are often triple cone on first and second and double on the rest. People tend to want to shift the car like they shift a Corvette. Ain"t gonna happen. I shift it like I used to shift my old FJ40 Land Cruiser: one-and-a-two, two-and-a-three. It"s in the four-to-three downshift where I usually get squawks of protest. I have to do that one with particular attention to matched revs, deliberate movement, etc. AR -----Original Message----- From: jeff north [mailto:northjeff@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2002 2:38 AM To: VintageLambo@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [VintageLambo] Second Gear Try using Mobil 1 synthetic 75/90 in your transmission. I think you will like the change. Jeff --- John Allott wrote: > What is it about Second Gear on Espada"s. My car has > a lazy synchro on > second - OK when going from first if you take it > easy but difficult to get > it just right coming back from third, especially > when cold. (My car > supposedly had replacement syncro rings before I > bought it - I have the > receipts so I suppose that is correct) > I seem to remember a few comments about second gear > in a number of postings > on the lists. > Is there anything that can be done, or is it just a > Lamborghin gearbox > "thingy" which we have to learn to live with ???? > > John > Espada S3 > > jallott@albury.net.au > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > .I also skip second gear for a > > while when it"s cold.If I need second, I double > clutch up and > > down.Otherwise it grinds.But not when it"s > warm. > > __________________