QuestionI purchased a late-1970s/early-80s Troy Bilt Horse tiller a few weeks ago. I had to replace the carb (it was way past the point where a rebuild kit would work) and once I got it fired up, I changed the engine oil and drained the transmission oil. (looked just like Hershey's syrup)
According to the manual I downloaded from troybilt.com, it makes reference to using SAE 90 or SAE 140 gear oil. However, it doesn't mention whether it should be GL-1, GL-2, etc. Some of the chatter I've googled up seems to indicate that if you use GL-5 (which is readily available at Pep Boys) in a gearbox that wasn't designed for GL-4 or GL-5, you may damage brass or bronze hardware since there are some additives in GL-5 that react specifically with those metals.
Is there any truth to that? If so, I see that I can get a 35lb. pail of GL-1 from Aubuchon Hardware for $50 (plus $15 shipping) ... but that sounds excessive so I'd really like to know whether it's necessary.
Thanks in advance,
Dave
AnswerHi David,
Personally, I don't know. I did a bit of research and found the following.
Good luck,
Michael
At
http://www.mfaoil.com/lube.asp
I noticed this warning in regard to GL-5: "This product
should not be mixed with lead-based gear oils".
At Section 10
http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/chemical/petdis/cie805.htm
Corrosivity to Metals:
Refined petroleum and lubricating oils are not corrosive to aluminum, aluminum bronze, brass, carbon steel, copper, naval bronze, stainless steels, particularly type 400 series, silicon bronze, silicon copper, lead and titanium.(27)
