Help Me Change My Transmission Oil Please

[redhead]

I have a very old (1970ish)Isuzu 6 cylinder 120hp engine that runs like a top. We're about to venture into unknown territory by changing the oil in the transmission. The old oil looks like 30 weight oil. I can't seem to find anything on the internet that will tell me A) what type of transmission it is and B) what type of oil I need to use.
Does anyone have a clue? Thanks all.

[ScottMeilicke]

There isn't anything stamped on the transmission? Or a placard?

[a64pilot]

You could have an used oil analysis done, that will tell you the current viscosity, doubt its broken down.
However I’d get a mirror and flashlight, that thing has to have a data tag or engraving somewhere. On mine, a Kanzaki, it’s on the backside of the “bell housing” where you can’t see it, but I learned a trick from a surveyor, use your phone, it will take pictures and let you see where you can’t get your head into.

[GILow]

A photo of the transmission might also help CF members identify it if A64's technique does not work. (Also used by household electricians to see into wall cavitites when running cables.)

[redhead]

Will go try to take pictures - a great idea.

[Pelican_38]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

use your phone, it will take pictures and let you see where you can’t get your head into.

Sometimes I try to convince myself I'm a fairly smart guy. Then someone says something brilliant that makes me remember I'm not that bright.

This is one of those times.

[Seighlor]

Recently found myself in the same situation. Nothing on the engine tag nor in the manual offered a suggestion as to the type of oil. I went to a buddy at an auto parts store. He spent time researching my query and his answer was #30 Shell Rotella T.

I've made the change. Now with just a few hours running time, all appears to be well. Transmission shifts smoothly and no problems encountered.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Pelican_38

Sometimes I try to convince myself I'm a fairly smart guy. Then someone says something brilliant that makes me remember I'm not that bright.



This is one of those times.

I didn’t think of it. I saw it.
Back I guess 30 yrs ago now we were going to fly a mission (military training) and my Co-pilot couldn’t find his cell phone, they were new then.
We tore the aircraft apart looking for the thing as we could not fly with FOD “foreign objects or debris” in the aircraft, a big no no.
We had been at it for at least ten minutes when the Crew Chief walked up and asked what we were doing and I said we are looking for ****’s phone he can’t find it. He said why don’t you call it? Listen for where the ring comes from.
I looked at him like he was Albert Einstein, such a brilliant idea. Found the thing in his helmet bag, the interior lining had a hole that the phone had fallen though.
But at the time I thought this guy is a Genius, later learned that everyone knew to do that, but us.

[GeneM]

My trans uses 30 straight weight nondetergent oil - Rotella is good. I found it's easier to suck out using the dip stick hole with my oil pump rather than opening the drain.

[a64pilot]

I wasn’t aware of a Rotella non detergent oil?
Good non detergent oil is actually kind of hard to find anymore

[wingless]

My custom five-zone high-volume high-pressure oil change system is connected to each engine, each transmission and the generator.

The transmission drain plugs were replaced w/ a hose barb, then plumbed to the ¼ turn valve.

This is great for a transmission, because when the oil cooler fails the heavy sea water will settle in the bottom of the sump, making sucking from the bottom the ideal solution for correcting the problem.

[Wotname]

I'm curious - when was the last time it was changed?
I'm speculating it was a long time ago so does it really need changing now? ()