Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hi Kids,

Hope your a keeping well, endless weeks of sunshine here thanks to 'Global Change' (it was called Global Warming but that did not suit the present weather conditions!)

Differential oil, I know it has been done to death but I need oil weight etc and not just product names. The oils you have are not generally not available here.

So what is the spec of the oil I need for the diff and how much of it?

Thanking you,

Pat

Packard recommended SAE90 in the winter and SAE160 in the summer. Most everyone I know with prewar seniors
uses a multivis SAE85W-140 which is available in countless brands, but usually only in 5 gallon containers. Note that whatever you select it MUST be of the EP (extreme pressure) variety which is required for hypoid gearsets. Typically we use the same lubricant in the transmission and steering gear box, so a 5 gallon container isn't really too much. I didn't bother to look up how much the differential holds, but it's probably between 4 and 6 pints but in any case you just fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole. PS - if you haven't changed the differential oil in the last 5 years or so, I'd strongly consider draining it, and maybe even flushing with a bit of kerosene followed by a bit of fresh gear oil before refilling. Inexpensive precaution, rear axle service can get expensive.

UPDATE - Per owner's manual (download it if you don't have it, its got some good basic information):

Differential - 6 pints
Transmission - 4-1/2 pints
Steering box - 3/4 pint

Hi Pat, here is what I have used;
http://www.penriteoil.com.au/pis_pdfs/0Mild%20EP%20Gear%20oil%20JAN%202010.pdf

Thanks for the info...

Now where is the filler located!

The should be a bolt or plug style flitting on the top of the rear cover of the diff. You fill it up to that point.

There is a round object protruding to one side of the cover, could be a breather or maybe the filler? Should it be in the center of the cover?

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Pat, your filler is not on the rear cover. You have, like most of the 30s Packards, an "Angleset" hypoid differential which is tilted about 45 deg. to lower the driveline. Thus the rear cover is really almost an upper cover.

Your flller plug is just below the axles, on the carrier or "pumpkin" as we used to call it, rearward of the universal joint. A standard threaded NPT pipe plug with a square head. Looks the same as the drain except it is mounted higher on the case. just look around at the front of the unit, you can't miss it.

Did you find the filler plug yet? I could put film in the camera (no wisecracks needed please) and take a picture if necessary.

I should be able to find it from those directions.
Will have to wait until tommorow, I would be shot if I attempted to go out to the garage today, family duties are interfering with my my life!

Thanks.

Pat,

A few pic's of Wade's '34's diff showing location of fill and drain plugs. Sorry I couldn't put them on sooner but last week I was interstate for my Mum and Dad's 65th Wedding Anniversary celebrations.

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