Don't rag on him too much, he probably just bought it off the shelf cause someone told him to and most people thing synthetics are better..

They are not designed for use in gearboxes and tend to drag the synchros, the gears tend to chew up the oil and mess with the molecular structure from what i've read..

Some people in the US have run synthetic fine, but most people do stay away from it...

10W40 I would think is a little thin though...

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Here's an interesting site with a whole heap of oils and prices...

Can buy the stuff in 20L and 60L drums too at a discounted rate..

http://www.americanautos.com.au/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=aap.control&formname=makemodel&newform=prices&option=h-fj-eo

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Gadge
are you going to stick with the oil
or change it to a more conventional one
if you're happy with it
and think/know you have no problems...

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

Would be interesting to see how he goes..

Main reason I stick with Castrol Formula R 25W50 is cause the doc uses is and the brochure says these things:

Ideal for:
- Veteran motorcycles and motor cars where high viscosity oils are specified or required

- Manual transmissions on cars and commercial vehicles where SAE 40 or 50 grade engine oils or 90 "straight" (non EP) gear oil is recommended

Gives the following benefits:

- Low oil consumption
- Excellent oil pressure at high temperatures
- Synthetic components increase load-carrying characteristics for crankshaft bearing protection in older technology street machines and “big bore” competition engines.
- Formulated to give better cold start performance than traditional"straight 50" oils.
- Race proven performance, including wins at Bathurst, Auscar championships and Drag racing.
- Assists in maintaining optimum oil pressure in older cars.
- Corrosion protection.
- Foam resistance.

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I went with Magnatec after consulting the oils guide book at supercrap and looked up leyland mini and it was recomended by them.(Castrol)
its the first I've heard about friction modified oils allthough i remember reading that use of synthetics increased horsepower and performance the mag im pretty sure was Mini Magic

Any thoughts From the Doc

should i be dumping the oil and using something else
or can i just top it up with normal oil as needed

cheers
Gadget

_________________

i dont think its wise to mix different brands/types of oils

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

IMO, Magnatec is probably OK in a manual (not high mileage, as it's a bit thin) Mini, but don't run it in a MiniMatic! You will likely get bands and clutches slipping. Book for the `matic specifically says use mineral oils with NO additives.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks Doc
Taz is a manual and would only do 150-200 kays a week ill see how it goes
i have seen the previous post on what you use and i will switch to that next oil change

Has any one seen the article i mentioned in Mini magic??

Cheers

Gadget

_________________

BTW Gadget when I said `high mileage' I meant `worn out motor..' Not how many miles you do.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

phew!
sorry for poking the fire
i knew thats why there was a big red cross on the synthetics for me

Ive been told there are Friction plates in a matic
are there in a manual?

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

Wouldn't that just be another term for a clutch?

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Thanks Doc ill get used to the terms used by the "learned folk"

my motor is pretty good rebiult before i got it not using (burning) oil just from the usual
Mini factory optioned leak spots VTIC

Cheers

Gadget

_________________

68 matic
wrote


Youre right mate its the only way for us to learn the finer points of
"Miniing"

cheers

Gadget

_________________

yep, I've got it - they used "royal purple" and the article said it was really good - extra hp, smoother powerband on the dyno and some other bits and pieces, but the point it didn't go into was long term reliability for the gearbox which is my main worry too...

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

boys we've got a real gentleman on our hands...
no worries, we'll roughen you up real soon *snort snort*

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...