I have a new H55F in my 1990 FJ62. The 2nd and 3rd gears are pretty notchy. But, I only have 850 miles on the transmission. I figure new transmissions are typically notchy when breaking in. I don't know what gear oil the shop that installed it for me used but I suspect standard 80w90 GL4 dino. At how many miles would you guys recommend replacing the transmission gear oil after this break in? I was considering using Redline MT90 75w-90 GL4 synthetic gear oil as I have read it helps smooth out the shifting. Recommendations?
H55F Notchy 2nd and 3rd Gears (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Arkitekt
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Good to know. How many miles do you have on yours?
I have around 2800 miles so far. I have a brand new engine, new h55 and completely rebuilt transfer case. Things are definitely improving but from my long term stint with Porsche race cars, manual transmissions are notorious for being selective on what gear oil works best.
There's lots of reports of similar issues, if it makes you feel better. I too have the H55F, with a few thousand miles (completed by PO). Mine is traditionally notchy in second gear when the transmission is "cold". I'd be very interested to see how performance changes over time or with a different gear oil. I'm going to be driving mine across country, should love to change out the gear oil before that trip. Interested what others have to say on gear oils.
Hammer45
SILVER Star
My new H55f and new transfer should arrive from @cruisermatt any day now so I can join this club soon. New stuff. Not the notchy club I hope. Please keep posting f/u. Seems odd that so many would have similar concerns with similar conversions. Maybe @cruisermatt or @orangefj45 or other tranny transfer rebuild gurus will comment on their experience. D
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Completely normal. Go drive it! they are a lot better once they have 5-10k miles on them.
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- #8
@cruisermatt did mine, I couldn't be happier with my H55F conversion. It was well worth it.
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- #9
I'm very interested in your results.
Kind of what I expect.
RevISK
SILVER Star
I have an H55f in my '88 FJ62 that has a few hundred thousand kilometers on it and it's... notchy in 2nd and 3rd.
Got a wee better with MT90 (or I just want to feel better for dropping that kind of dough on G.O.) and really gets better once warmed up.
Timing and shifter position help, but ultimately, It's just how these are I guess.
I installed my new H55 last year. Sta-lube for break-in, and changed to MT-90 after about 500 miles. I noticed a difference w the MT-90, not drastic, but it improved a little. I have a few thousand on it now. Shifts fine, maybe not the smoothest manual, but smooth enough that I never think about it.
RevISK
SILVER Star
Yeah, at first I was a bit wigged out by it, now I just send it. Barely notice it, but make it a game to get the timing perfect.
The oil was clean of metal when I drained it from the donor. Not really worried as it's my 4th transmission on this truck in 6 months.
mattressking
10 digits to freedom
Drive it. Change the fluid initially around 1k-5k. That’s it. They break in. By 20k they feel great. By 200k they feel like your h42. By 300k they still feel like your h42.
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Hammer45
SILVER Star
Ouch
chelo
SILVER Star
Don't have an h55 but the redline is the only transmission gear oil that helped the h150 in my 80. Highly recommend it.
RevISK
SILVER Star
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.
FJBen
SILVER Star
H55f in my BJ74 with 550,000kms, notchy.
Rebuilt h55f in the BJ74 1500 miles, notchy.
As long as I’m not fast and furious shifting, no issues.
Rebuilt h55f in the BJ74 1500 miles, notchy.
As long as I’m not fast and furious shifting, no issues.
Skreddy
SILVER Star
Same. H55 in my 87 60 series. I have about 15k on it? Since new, finding and shifting into 3rd was always harder but seems to be better. I also reused the shifter from the 4 speed and didn’t replace the bushing the shifter ball rides in.
