MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Damper oil

Can someone please recommend damper oil for the ZS carb? Specifically weight. TR runs summer only at around 80+ degrees F. Do not wish to spend $10 for 4OZ. SU Damper Oil. Purpose here is to get correct oil viscosity to help in Ballance, mixture settings, and performance.
Thanks
Rick
Rick Crawford

Hi Rick C. Don't buy the "official" damper oil! Believe it or not, there is some grassroots science behind what viscosity to use. It ranges from transmission fluid, 3-in-1, up to 90W gear oil. Legend in TR circles dictates using the same oil you put in your crankcase (20W-50 I presume). If you are a perfectionist, you can experiment with different oil weights, remembering that heavier oil dampens air valve (piston) movement more than light oil (leaner acceleration mixture, better economy). Lighter oil leads to relatively rich acceleration mixtures that some would say improves performance (at the expense of fuel economy). Me? I use 10W-30.

Hope this helps you.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

I use auto transmission fluid in my dampers, seems to work okay. I also used regular oil 10w30
steven

I've been using the same oil as my crank case oil (20W-50) and so far so good.

Ted
T. Grant

I too listened to all of those "in the know" and I'll pass on what I learned. Triumph recommended 20w50. I tried transmission fluid (10 weight), straight 30, 10w30, and finally what Triumph recommended. I couldn't tell a bit of differance. Like the rest of you guys, when I accelerate I stick it on the floor and hang on. Perhaps if you were racing you might do more in the testing, in the mean time, put in 20w50 and don't think any more about it.
Joe
Joe Justice

Hello,
I am familiar with Stromberg carbs going to the 60's, my Volvo 122S was equiped with Stromberg, the company recommendation was ATF. I also used that in my TR6 for 25 years without any complaining from it.
Cheers, JGC
Jean G. Catford

This thread was discussed between 22/01/2002 and 24/01/2002

Triumph TR6 index