[partridge]

Greetings all Spider fans

I have discovered that there are many opinions out there and typically there are good reasons behind them.

I am interested in learning what you use and why; 1) Oil, 2) Gear Box, 3) Differential, 4) Brakes, 5) Steering, 6) Clutch, 7) Filters: oil and gas and lastly 8) Plugs?

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?

Thanks

 

[Stevew]

Partridge,

Before you drop off the bottom of our front page, please don't take silence as an uncaring Forum.

Your question is broad, answers would be subjective and anecdotal, and you would likely end up as uncertain then as now.

You probably don't want to hear this, but if you use the search function on each of your queries, you will soon discover the awesome depth and breadth of opinion on each of the topics.

I sincerely hope you have a lot of time on your hands .

PS, I'm actually just trying to get my post count above the elusive 1,000 mark...so there .

Best.

 

[danix]

Here's a parts list I've been compiling:

Parts List:
oil filter Mann W920/21 or Baldwin B233 or Bosch D3402 or 72137WS or Purolator 14670
Fuel filter (in-line): Mann WK830, Fram G3829, Mahle KL9, Bosch 71028
Spark plugs: Golden Lodge 2HL or NGK BP6ES or BP7ES
Air Filter: Fram CA4767 or Mann C3475 or wix 46209
Battery: group 34, costco has (#9)
Brake fluid: DOT4
transmission fluid Redline 75w90NS
Rear differential fluid Redline 75w90 (not NS for limited slip, NS for limited slip) or 80w90
Power steering: ATF Dex2/3?

Horn relay:
Sipea 0440 12V relay?
try a flosser 2252
Bosch 0 332 014 113
the alfa PN is 7686773

Bosch Parts:
reman starter SR484X
reman alternator AL16X
brake pads front BP45 rear BP30
fuel pump 69414 or 69418
o2 sensor 13957
universal o2 sensor 15735
crankshaft position sensor 0261210036
engine cooland temp sensor 0280130026
wiper blades envison EN16 evolution 4816

 

[danix]

Fluids:
Not sure on engine oil, still looking.

* transmission fluid redline 75w90NS
* rear diff (limited slip) fluid redline 75w90

 

[dghii]

I've run Castrol GTX 20w50 in my Spider for 30+ years. Not going to change now!

 

[Racso]

For oil, I use 5 qts Mobil1 15w-50 + 2 qts Mobil1 0w-40 Euro formula

For transmission and differential, I do the same Redline as mentioned above.

Steering (manual) - STP Oil treatment - doesn't leak out

Brakes and clutch - DOT3 fluid

Oil filter - Fram XG8A

 

[partridge]

I figured that from the get go. But I was figuring, cars guys and gals... opinions... I appreciate your candor.

many thanks

 

[papajam]

1) engine oil - Castrol GTX 20W-50
2) gearbox - Valvoline VR1 #VV229 (straight 40 weight engine oil)
3) differential - any off the shelf 80W-90 or 75W-90 gear oil
4) brakes - Castrol LMA (DOT 4) and Ferodo DS2500 pads
5) steering - same as #3
6) clutch - Castrol LMA
7) filters - Baldwin
8) spark plugs - Champion N2C for putting around town, Champion C57 for track days

 

[ghnl]

I've run Castrol GTX 20w50 in my Spider for 30+ years. Not going to change now!

My question would be, 'has Castrol 20w-50 changed over the years' (especially the recent years)?

Anyway, I use the Redline products for the transmission & differential. I use Shell Rotella 15w-40 for the engine. I also use it in my motorcycle and diesel pick up truck (4 gallons/change). Thus I buy it by the gallon and don't have to keep a variety of oil 'on the shelf'. And I do wonder if they've changed the formula for that oil, too...

 

[dghii]

My question would be, 'has Castrol 20w-50 changed over the years' (especially the recent years)?

Anyway, I use the Redline products for the transmission & differential. I use Shell Rotella 15w-40 for the engine. I also use it in my motorcycle and diesel pick up truck (4 gallons/change). Thus I buy it by the gallon and don't have to keep a variety of oil 'on the shelf'. And I do wonder if they've changed the formula for that oil, too...

Castrol may well have changed. Like me, it's most likely got even better. :wink2:

My car gets run about 1,000 miles a year at this point so I feel that the more important thing is that the oil/filter is changed about every 8-10 months.

 

[73AlfaOEMOwner]

I too used Castrol GTX 20-50 exclusively since I drove my '73 Spider car off the new car lot in January 1974. After learning about the drop in zinc levels in modern oils to protect catalytic converters, I, and I think a lot of Alfistas, switched to Valvoline VR1 20-50 racing oil. It's easy to find at most auto parts places or online at Amazon. For spark plugs I've used both NGK BP7ES-11 and BP6ES-11 spark plugs since at least the early 90s. I'm not sure I can ever tell the difference in how it runs with either of them. Before that I used Champion N7Ys for years. BTW I converted my car from Spica to twin 40DCOE32 Webers back in '79. Long story but I probably didn't need to do it but the deed was done. Once setup the Webers have been perfect. They haven't been touched since '92 when I replaced the Spica conversion intake manifold with a Euro Weber intake manifold. In the early 90s I switched the clutch and brake hydraulic systems to silicone DOT-5 fluid. I've had good luck with it. On oil and fuel filters I really haven't used one brand with any consistency. I don't think many of us run our cars enough miles between oil changes to make the oil filter you use make that much of a difference anyway.

 

[azALFAowl]

I've got to second "ghnl's" selection of Shell Rotella. I've got a big diesel motorhome that 9 months a year only gets a 50-mile run on the first Sunday, to keep everything limber. I selected this oil (T6) as it has the highest "oil additive" package that I could find since she gets so much limited use. My Alfa lives the same "low use" life, if I'd use her more I'd use more ordinary oil..but feel the extra protection offered by the Rotella full synthetic is worth it..just my 2 cents. Paul

 

[lgbalfa]

I always use Shell or Penzoil 20-50 for oil.