Gear Lube Level

njk53 · 02-09-2015, 03:07 PM

Does the level of gear lube in a rear end have any effect on performance? If the gear lube level is filled to the bottom of the fill plug, can or does windage come into play creating performance losses?
If so, on a 12 bolt Chevrolet how much lube should be used and/or where should the level be relative to the ring and pinion?

HandOverFist · 02-09-2015, 04:29 PM

Don't know if you will get a definitive answer on this...I've always ran 2 quarts in a 12-bolt without any bearing failures.

http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...gear+oil+level

Dragsinger · 02-09-2015, 04:42 PM

Nelson,

From personal experience with 12 bolt, 1.5 quarts running mid 9's at 3100 pounds. No problems using Lucas 80/90 [Lucas #10043] conventional gear oil.

This is also what I will do with my upcoming build of the Super 10

Mike Semeniuk · 02-09-2015, 05:27 PM

FWIW - I have always run 1 - 1.25 quart of 80-90 synthetic Lucas or Valvoline. If the rear end if completely dry - I use 1.5 qt. There was a thread on here a while back - and the opinions and experiences varied. The only other thing, I remember reading on the MW site years ago that they didn't favour synthetic. When I used dinosaur oil, I had no different experience, except cold mornings.

Lou Jeffery · 02-09-2015, 06:40 PM

In a Drag car that is only run for short distance you can safely get away with very little amounts of gear oil. Keep in mind the differential bearings and axle bearings rotate at a relatively low rpm. The pinion bearings rotate at close to engine speed at the finish line but they are force fed gear oil by the pumping action of the ring gear. So as long as you have enough oil for the ring gear to dig into you will not have problems. My 8.8 Ford axles that are very similar to a 12 bolt GM use no more 1.5 quarts.

ghost · 02-09-2015, 09:44 PM

In drag only, with spool 10 sec car, I run 1.5 motor oil 10w40. Next step ATF oil. Reason... less difference between the run (cold) and (hot). Never broke the gear.

FED 387 · 02-09-2015, 10:02 PM

We run John Deere TDH winter blend - bout a
"Large quart"-- 9 inch Ford-----so far so good ---Comp Eliminator car 8:00 @ 160MPH

Ed Wright · 02-09-2015, 10:15 PM

Guys that know him, might want to talk to Jimmy Bridges about this.

HandOverFist · 02-09-2015, 10:35 PM

Remember what I said about a definitive answer? I really think I would be looking elsewhere for gains.

Alan Roehrich · 02-10-2015, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Guys that know him, might want to talk to Jimmy Bridges about this.

SHHHHHHHH!

02-09-2015, 04:29 PM	#2
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level Don't know if you will get a definitive answer on this...I've always ran 2 quarts in a 12-bolt without any bearing failures. http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...gear+oil+level __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

02-09-2015, 04:42 PM	#3
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level Nelson, From personal experience with 12 bolt, 1.5 quarts running mid 9's at 3100 pounds. No problems using Lucas 80/90 [Lucas #10043] conventional gear oil. This is also what I will do with my upcoming build of the Super 10 __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

02-09-2015, 05:27 PM	#4
Mike Semeniuk Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 99 Likes: 19 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level FWIW - I have always run 1 - 1.25 quart of 80-90 synthetic Lucas or Valvoline. If the rear end if completely dry - I use 1.5 qt. There was a thread on here a while back - and the opinions and experiences varied. The only other thing, I remember reading on the MW site years ago that they didn't favour synthetic. When I used dinosaur oil, I had no different experience, except cold mornings. __________________ Mike Semeniuk 632 GTMA

02-09-2015, 06:40 PM	#5
Lou Jeffery Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level In a Drag car that is only run for short distance you can safely get away with very little amounts of gear oil. Keep in mind the differential bearings and axle bearings rotate at a relatively low rpm. The pinion bearings rotate at close to engine speed at the finish line but they are force fed gear oil by the pumping action of the ring gear. So as long as you have enough oil for the ring gear to dig into you will not have problems. My 8.8 Ford axles that are very similar to a 12 bolt GM use no more 1.5 quarts.

02-09-2015, 09:44 PM	#6
ghost Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 81 Likes: 0 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level In drag only, with spool 10 sec car, I run 1.5 motor oil 10w40. Next step ATF oil. Reason... less difference between the run (cold) and (hot). Never broke the gear.

02-09-2015, 03:07 PM	#1
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gear Lube Level Does the level of gear lube in a rear end have any effect on performance? If the gear lube level is filled to the bottom of the fill plug, can or does windage come into play creating performance losses? If so, on a 12 bolt Chevrolet how much lube should be used and/or where should the level be relative to the ring and pinion? __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345 Last edited by njk53; 02-09-2015 at 03:11 PM.

02-09-2015, 10:02 PM	#7
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,422 Likes: 529 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level We run John Deere TDH winter blend - bout a "Large quart"-- 9 inch Ford-----so far so good ---Comp Eliminator car 8:00 @ 160MPH

02-09-2015, 10:15 PM	#8
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level Guys that know him, might want to talk to Jimmy Bridges about this. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

02-09-2015, 10:35 PM	#9
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Gear Lube Level Remember what I said about a definitive answer? I really think I would be looking elsewhere for gains. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321