I just brought home a '86 SE with a V6 and Muncie 4 speed. I know nothing about the car's history other than it's been sitting with a bad fuel pump for the last 4 or 5 years, so this weekend I'm going to change the engine oil, trans fluid and brake fluid. I would change the fluid in the clutch hydraulic system, but the guy I got it from just replaced the master and slave cylinder, so I figure that fluid should be new.

Anyway, the factory manual lists 2 different fluids for the 4 speed, both 5W30 engine oil and SAE 80 gear oil. AllData lists Dexron II as the proper fluid, but also says GM Synchromesh fluid is OK for all GM manual transmissions. What should I use?!? What do you guys use?

I'm hoping with the new FS clutch pedal, new fluid and properly adjusted shift cables it will shift better, and maybe even go into 3rd gear without grinding.

Tom

I use Penzoil Syncromesh in all my Fiero Manual transmissions. Smooth shifting and no failures!

quote Originally posted by katatak: I use Penzoil Syncromesh in all my Fiero Manual transmissions. Smooth shifting and no failures!

I just put this in my 86 4 speed, Syncromesh is the way to go.

5w30 from the factory, gm says to change to syncromesh.

Which factory manual says SAE 80 grade oil? This is definitely not a GM recommended oil. Neither is using automatic tranny oil such as Dextron II. Only two oils are recommended by the OEM: 5W30 or Synchromesh. Your choice.

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Which factory manual says SAE 80 grade oil? This is definitely not a GM recommended oil. Neither is using automatic tranny oil such as Dextron II. Only two oils are recommended by the OEM: 5W30 or Synchromesh. Your choice.

It's the '86 Fiero factory service manual, page 0B-6, figure 2: "Manual Transmission (rear wheel drive) 3 and 4 speed: Pontiac Firebird 4 speed 5W30 SF, All others SAE80W gear lubricant (GM Part No. 1052271)"

I realize this probably means Pontiac's traditional front engine-rear drive cars, since the Fiero uses a front drive trans, but it does say rear wheel drive.

The local Advance Auto had Pennzoil Synchromesh fluid in stock, so I guess a few quarts of that will find its way home with me this weekend.

Thanks guys,
Tom

As both my haynes and factory manuals said to put motor oil, that's what I used in my Getrag; only a couple hundred miles ago that was. Is this bad? It seems okay so far.

-Michael

------------------
"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

He who dies with the most toys... still dies.


My '84 Resto

quote Originally posted by aircraft_electrician: It's the '86 Fiero factory service manual, page 0B-6, figure 2: "Manual Transmission (rear wheel drive) 3 and 4 speed: Pontiac Firebird 4 speed 5W30 SF, All others SAE80W gear lubricant (GM Part No. 1052271)"

Ahhh... I see where you got that from now. You misinterpreted the information though. The Fiero has a "transaxle" not a "transmission". If you look in the same table in the row just above the one you quoted, you'll see that GM recommends SAE 5W30 Engine Oil SF, SF/CC or SF/CD for "transaxles". (BTW, a transaxle is a combination transmission and differential in one housing.)

For Fierology: Engine oil is just fine provided it is 5W30 or at least close to that weight.