Hi Folks. REMINDER CHECK THAT TRANNY FLUID !!! One of the most forgotten maintenance items as it didn’t come with a dip stick. If you can’t do it,(or don’t want to crawl under there), take it to any oil change or most tire shops will do it. It is simply drain & refill. As far as the proper type of fluid is yet to be known. Here is where your feed back is helpful to everyone. Manual says S.A.E. 50 HD motor oil. Others swear it should be 75-90, 80-90, or 90 gear oil. What say you all? Also if you haven’t yet, do the simple filler conversion with a 3/4″ galv. street 90. Adds an extra quart and puts the forth gear actually running in fluid. Look forward to hearing from you. John68
The late Dave Munday (a well known Cortez mechanic) always used 90wt gear oil. (specifically Schaeffer 209a moly gear oil).
Milo, adding the street ell is easy. Buy a 3/4 street ell and cap from a good automotive supply (I bought mine from a truck parts supplier). Replace the side filler plug with the street ell and cap (pointing up). Because it raises the fill level, it makes the reservoir hold more oil. Also makes filling easier.
You and I acknowledged the weakness in the ring gear. I have found a Valvoline gear oil, 85w 140, and after talking to the factory he believes it would be a good oil to use. Heaver sounds better. Could you conform my belief , I intend to warm it up a while, thanks. Larry folds,