transmission drain and fill

[rover4x4]

DOes anyone know what size the fill plug is on a manual D-90? looks like some kinda torx thing? Also the drain plug size looks to be about the same as the drain plug on the oil pan. ALso what kinda tranny fluid are yall using in the R-380? any reccomendations?

[evilfij]

T-55 torx, IIRC 1 1/4 for the drain (1 1/8" is the engine oil)

I took out the T-55 and replaced it with a male 1/2 filler plug so it would be field serviceable without the torx.

Ron

[rover4x4]

that was quick.. thanks a bunch

[norros]

I use AMSOIL ATF in mine and it shifts like a champ, changed it out once since I had the truck just to see if there were any deposits and they were pretty slim.
A gentleman by the name of Michael Green suggested using some 5/10/20w-50 along with it, just a little if I remember correctly... maybe about a 1 to 5 ratio...
I took his suggestion and it seems to shift even better.

Just my .02 cents


Nicholas

[rover4x4]

so a mix of 5/10/20w-50? I dont really understand.

[evilfij]

redline MTL--all you need to know--well, you will need 3 quarts as it take ~2.6 quarts

[rover4x4]

I have a friend that likes that stuff. I have considered but I have always heard that you must use ATF fluid in the r-380??

[evilfij]

Untrue, ATF just lets the synchros die sooner. as of 1998 rover recommends something that is similar to MTL

[rover4x4]

thanks for the information...

[Bowtracer]

I heard that these tranes have a pump to lub the extension. & if you mix gear lube the fluid becomes too thick to pump. I did that the last tran fluid change I did & the coating on the inside of the trans came off & clogged my filter. My syncro's hav been shot for a long time & my next project is rebuild the trans. OH BOY!

[norros]

Well, if you use REDLINE MTF or AMSOIL ATF you can't go wrong. They are by far the best synthetics out there... (do a thorough check through Google and you'll find out).

Anyway, I actually would run REDLINE MTF but I can't find it here, and there's a small dealer in town, (gotta support small business! ... hate going to PepBoys!!!) called Baker-Alford and they are an AMSOIL dealer as well, so I go with the ATF (and every other possible synthetic they put out, right down to the grease in my bearings) and I haven't had a problem. If they carried REDLINE MTF I would go with that because it's closest to what LR recommends and it's good SH$T.

The AMSOIL ATF is slightly thinner, so I took Michael Green's suggestion and mixed a little 'regular oil' in with it... I wrote 5/10/20 w (weight) because I couldn't remember and they're all a little thicker than ATF/MTF. I think I put in 20w/50 last time... Shifts as perfect as it can get.

Mind you, REDLINE & AMSOIL products aren't cheap... you're looking at 2 to 3 times what 'blends' and the cheap stuff are, but I think it's worth it. I'm never selling this thing, so the longer I can 'keep it perfect' the better. Your budget may dictate that as well.

Hope this helps... somewhat.

Nicholas Orros

P.S. (maybe Michael Green will chime in... I love watching him get going on this topic!!!)

[Mike Hippert]

Thank You Ron! I drained and refilled my Trans with Redline MTL and WOW what a difference! It’s quieter and smoother when you shift. What a pain to get it all in that PITA spot of a fill hole on the Trans, but well worth it.

[rover4x4]

I finally got around to putting the Redline MTF in my truck. It truely made a noticable difference well worth the hassle of draining and refilling which isnt that bad. I think any R380 could benefit from this stuff....

FWIW

[evilfij]

Your welcome :)

[rover4x4]

thanks. and extend my gratitude to the Modennator

[waveridin1959]

Where do you find the Redline stuff?

[Doug]

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=361&cgrfnbr=160267

[rover4x4]

i got mine from www.ogracing.com

[Mike Hippert]

The local speed shop had it on hand.

[rover4x4]

Is anyone using the AMSOIL MTF?

[waveridin1959]

changing from redline?

[rover4x4]

Was just going to try something different amsoil is redily available

[Antichrist]

As long as it meets the specs I don't see why it wouldn't.
FWIW I get my Redline at a local speed shop.

[waveridin1959]

You can pick up redline at global offroad and diesel if you still wanted redline. At least that's where I last picked it up.

[hillstrubl]

Is anyone using the AMSOIL MTF?
I am, I have no idea what was in there before I changed it, but its definitely shifting better now that I did.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtf.aspx