Okay, I asked over in the 360 forum, but so far no luck. When changing the gear oil in the 360 gearbox/diff, there is a screen which needs to be removed and cleaned. On this screen/filter, there is a little O-ring that helps seal where it mates to the gearbox casting. In the manual, (Page I8 - Section A of the 360 workshop manual) Ferrari suggests that you lubricate this O-ring with "Molykote". The only problem is that I cannot find any place where they specify which Molykote to use. Molykote is made by Dow and of course there are about 180 different types - for everything from lubing up your brakes to probably your farm animals. In going through the Dow website, I've narrowed it down to maybe Molykote 55 or - and I'm reaching here - Molykote DX paste. http://www.dowcorning.com/applications/search/default.aspx?R=392EN&bhcp=1 My only concern with the #55 O-ring stuff is the temp range seems a little on the low side for use in the gearbox area, although I could be wrong. Anyone have any idea what the boys in Italy are wanting on this little O-ring? I know I can probably use just about anything (I have some synthetic silicone grease here that would probably work fine), but I was just curious if anyone knew off hand what the specific Molykote grease that Ferrari likes in the gear box is. Thanks! Ray
Ray I would check with John, SkidKid, to see what he has used. I know Redline has a very nice molybased lubricant. I bought a small container of it but I don't have it here to get it's name at the moment.
ok thanks Greg. I have some stuff here as well. I was just trying to stick with exactly what Ferrari suggests. Ray
If I remember correctly the Porsche dealer carries some Moly that we used on the Ferraris. I will have to dig up a part number.
It appears to me that this question was never answered and I have the same question. What does one use to lubricate the o-rings on the oil suction fan, Molykote 55?
I've used Molykote 55 on the O-ring for the past 3 years and no problems. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am bumping this to learn about which product to use. The one referenced here "Molykote 55" says it swells the orings when applied unlike the light and medium versions of the same stuff. It was very hard to remove the plastic part from the car so I am now thinking that maybe the last mechanic to so this used this 55 stuff, and swollen orings accounted for the difficulty removing the part. What do you guys use? Application is the metal mesh oil filter in a 360. It's a plastic assembly with two o-rings in it.
Silicone grease works well, it will not swell o-rings. Let the o-ring design seal the screen to the housing without swelling. Swelling o-rings is not a good idea in any case.
Yes. Silicone grease is my choice for such purposes since decades. It is more expensive than most "specified" greases, but that does not really count. Cheers, Bernhard
After further review and not being able to source silicone grease at two automotive stores and the Ducati dealer I punted and ordered this stuff. It seems the closest to the silicone grease plan of all the Molykote (tm) products I looked at. Image Unavailable, Please Login
My arsenal of o-ring lubes. I'd use just about any to lube a silly o-ring on a gearbox. This isn't Rocket Science, that is what I use to do. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Can you even get this in the USA? A lot of good chemicals from the 60's,70's,and 80's are no longer allowed due to them being labeled "Hazardous".
Government Contract... I got this stuff when I worked on the Space Shuttle Orbiter. It is best used when reactivity to rocket propellant oxidizers like N2O4 "Nitrogen Tetroxide". It basically very fine Teflon particles in a low loc vacuum oil. It not silicone grease. It works when you don't want something to blow up. Greases and oxidizers don't play well with each other. There is another MIL -G-27617C that I used on satellite propellant servicing systems called 240AC by Krytox also available from McMaster-Carr McMaster-Carr for $223.37 for a 2oz tube. We used it on stainless to stainless steel fasteners and plumbing system threads to keep them from galling. Most people don't realize how susceptible two stainless steel fittings or bolts are to galling. I've had many a fittings with a nice loose thread fit and no lube lockup and totally fubar after trying to get them apart. This is a good food grade silicone grease. "111" is a common term between manufacturers. I use it in my house water system valves.
The best choice if you are not sure what lube to use for an O-ring is to use the actual fluid for the system you are installing it in. Engine oil or differential oil or coolant or whatever. Both the Molykote silicone lubes that were referenced here are not intended for use in oil. So that should be concerning to those using them. Most assembly lubes are thickened versions of the fluid in the system they are immersed in .
OK Hal, good that you should join the discussion! The amount we are talking about is very minimal. I "would" use motor oil to lube it and to me that makes perfect sense but the manual states "molykote". I do not know why. This is the way I extract maximum enjoyment from my hobbies! Through research and discussion with peers or those with much more knowledge about the subject matter. Thanks F-Chat! You forced me to search a bit for compatibility and I found this chart for compatibility with o-rings. Looks OK there. Now it is prudent to understand the compatibility with motor oil. Interesting some searching shows that Silicon Oil is an anti-foaming agent that is added to motor oils. Although in very small quantities. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I found a "Ask about Molykote" link on the Dow Chem Corp website and posed the following question. I will post the results. ..."Hello, I am working on my car and the service manual states to lubricate the o-rings with "Molykote" during re-installation of a filter assembly. The car is a 2003 Ferrari Modena and the oil system that contains the parts is the primary oil system that circulates synthetic 5w-40 motor oil. Which Molykote product(s) are safe to use in this application? Thank You, Kevin"...
