1930's transmission oil???

[kkarrer]

Hello,
     The pre- 4WWII shop manuals can be pretty specific on some stuff and downright useless on others.  In this case I'm looking for information regarding the type of fluid that should be used in my 1932 V8 (355B) standard transmission.  The manual only mentions SAE oil with no mention of weight.  Can someone out there tell me what most of you guys use in your 30's V8 trannys?
Thanks,
Ken Karrer
Cen Tex Reg. Dir.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

According to a 1938 guide I have (Audel's)
it recommends:

For summer use (above 40 degrees F) : SAE 160
For winter use (Above 0 degrees F):  SAE 90 

This information was to specific to Cadillac.

Mike

[harry s]

Ken, I'm going strictly from memory (which seems to fade now & then) but seem to recall the trans oil weight is 200 and must not have additives that harm brass. These folks sell various weights:
https://www.restorationstuff.com/news.html
They are usually at Hershey.       Harry

[kkarrer]

Thanks guys!
I'll see what I can find.
Take care,
Ken

[DaveZ]

Hi Ken,
Harry is correct. The Trans oil in the 32 type transmission which they used for a few years used a thicker oil. Somewhere around 200. If it is too thin or too thick it doesn't shift right. I bought Lubriplate 140 and 250 and mixed it. Before you put the top on make sure you adjust the syncro plates on each side of the transmission to the proper spacing and that both side are equal or you will have problems. The manual has a pretty good detail on how to do that.
Best of times!