Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,121 Threads: 111
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Location: Llandrindod Wells
Car type: 29 Special, 30 RK, 28 C Cab
Hi All
I have recently rebuilt my three speed box and been running it for about 50 miles (20W50 oil). With a rebuilt engine I would change the oil at 50, 100 and then 250 etc., but with a gearbox how often after rebuild would “Forumistas”change the oil?
Cheers
Howard
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 888 Threads: 48
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Location: North Wiltshire
Car type: 1927 Chummy, 1938 Big Seven 1/2 a Trials Chummy
I'll probably get shot down in flames for this but as there are no plain bearings to worry about, you can leave the oil change until the normal period. I usually do mine every 2 - 3 years, which probably only accounts for 1000 - 2000 miles.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,418 Threads: 107
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Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
An oil change fairly early on will get rid of (a) any grot which was accumulated, generated or missed during assembly and (b) any shavings, grindings, splinters etc. of material generated by early running, assuming that a certain degree of bedding-in will occur. I don't think it worthwhile before 500 miles but I'm not sure I'd leave it too much longer. I doubt any catastrophe is likely if you did.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 989 Threads: 6
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Location: Scottish Borders
A magnetic drain plug makes sense to pick up steel fragments.
Jim
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,121 Threads: 111
Reputation:
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Location: Llandrindod Wells
Car type: 29 Special, 30 RK, 28 C Cab
Hi All
And thanks for the replies. I will leave it until I change the engine oil at 500miles and put a magnet in the drain plug (I’ve got one on the engine sump!). I’ve only done 170miles so far and changed the engine oil at 50 and 100. I plan the next engine oil change at 250 and then 500. (Splash fed, gauze filter).
The car seems to be running well although is quite tappety, probably because of the reground followers. I may have the manifolds off and check the tappets when I do the 250 mile oil change.
Cheers
Howard
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,748 Threads: 31
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Location: Auckland, NZ
With no loaded plain bearings or non synchro gears to chip many modern cars using current anti oxidant oils are considered filled for life. From what I observed garages used to leave dismantled parts lieing about and early draining got rid of floor sweeping dust, grinder shower etc. On my 1960s car with some plain bearings for decades I used to alternate the oil drawing off the top. Can be poured through a filter (Odd new filters are often very cheap at swap meets.)
