GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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KalamazooJohnny
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Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1976 spider 1977 spider 1965 1100D
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Post by KalamazooJohnny »

I went to 6 places looking for GL-1 Oil to fill my manual transmission. The only place that had it is Tractor Supply and it says its for old Ford tractors. Thats what I got, but just wondering if anyone else has used this particular transmission fluid and how it works? They only had it in a gallon bottle. It was about $20.
"Get used to people calling it an MG. Hardly anybody recalls Fiats, but people remember MGs because they once saw one on fire." -Corey Farley, Autoweek January 20, 2003
76spider
77spider
65 1100D
rlux4
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Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
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Re: GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Post by rlux4 »

The weight is 90, and the rating is GL1, no matter where it's sold. The GL1 rating is pure oil without any additives, as the number goes up it indicates that different additives are in it, that's why FIAT recommends GL1, some of the additives in the other ratings are hard on the "yellow" metals in the tranny: brass. There are other lubes you can use, but GL1 is what FIAT recommended. But that was a long time ago and lubrication technology has advanced, hence some guys do use a more modern lube. I got GL1 with my rebuilt tranny from Jon Logan, and that's what I use, but I've seen the inside of Alvons' tranny after a lot of miles using Valvoline racing oil and it was slick as a whistle, and shifted smooter too.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
Exit98

Re: GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Post by Exit98 »

My NAPA store down the street got it for me in a day.
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KalamazooJohnny
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1976 spider 1977 spider 1965 1100D
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Re: GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Post by KalamazooJohnny »

Just got done changing that transmission oil out. I am wondering if it has ever been done before.
I am sickened by the amount of metal shavings and chips I removed from the magnetic plug. No wonder
she rattles so. I guess I will be needing that extra transmission in the garage eventually after all.
"Get used to people calling it an MG. Hardly anybody recalls Fiats, but people remember MGs because they once saw one on fire." -Corey Farley, Autoweek January 20, 2003
76spider
77spider
65 1100D
wikkid

Re: GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Post by wikkid »

Metal shavings are normal, but keep an eye on it.

I also ended up with Tractor Supply GL-1 oil; Napa could have supplied it on special order, though. I don't know enough about modern oils and additives and all that to know what else might be good to use.
rlux4
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Re: GL-1 Transmission SAE 90 Oil

Post by rlux4 »

It's been discussed ad nauseum. Several people have done a lot of research to help us know what is good or not good for our trannys. A search on the subject would bring up a lot of information.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
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