New Rolla owner and member with basic questions

[Liftback]

Hello all from Appalachia! Great forum, been reading for months, recently purchased a 1979 Corolla and trying to get it ready for summer. I've been in automotive profession and old car hobby for 33 years, but this is my first vintage Toyota and I'm loving it. I have some questions and hope you can help me, for starters...

1. These 2TC engines have a flat tappet camshaft so I should be running a quality old school oil with high ZDDP, but I'm concerned with viscosity. The original manual states 20w50 on the back, but also 10w40 for summer temperatures in the charts, what do most people run these days?

2. Have any of you used Redline MTL in the T50 transmission? Reason for asking is, I have a few quarts in stock and would like to use it because its considered one of the best, but I just wanted to make sure there was nothing incompatible I didn't know about.

3. As for the rear differential, its an SR5 package so it has the heavy duty rear with 3.90 gear ratio, suggestions on gear lube?

4. Tire pressure: The manual calls for 24psi, but tires were very different 40 years ago. I'm running a quality modern 185/70/13 radial on the factory steel 5" wide rally wheels. Would 30psi be a good place to start for normal street use?

Thanks!

 

 

Edited March 30, 2017 by Liftback

[rebuilder86]

I personally have no idea about your engine. I'm just here to ask you how much that cost? haha
PICS??
 

[altezzaclub]

I'd go lighter in the engine oil to 15W-40, I'd expect the Redline would be fine for the gearbox & grab an 80weight for the diff.

I run at 33psi in tyres, the standard these days now that fuel efficiency has become a concern over the ride quality of 24psi. See if you can feel the difference of 30 to 33, I don't reckon I can.  Just keep a monthly eye on the tread wear pattern, the 185s are pretty wide for a 5" rim.

[Liftback]

Thanks for the reply.

The 1979 Toyota manual gives two sizes for that body...

All 1200 models except SR5 with 13x4.5 wheels = 155sr13

All 1600 models except SR5 with 13x4.5 wheels = 165sr13

SR5 Hardtop & Sport Coupe with 13x5 rally wheels = 185/70/13

SR5 Liftback with 13x5 rally wheels = 175/70/13 or 185/70/13

I checked the tire manufacturer specs and 185/70/13 can be used on a rim that is between 4.5" and 6" wide.

PS: Upon further research Redline MTL is NOT suitable for the T50 because it is 75w80, but Redline MT90 75w90 is the correct GL4 fluid.

 

Edited March 30, 2017 by Liftback