Engine Oil?
 

What oil are you using in your Model A?

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Here we go....:rolleyes:

I use 10-40 or 20-50 Kendall or Lucas "Hot Rod & Classic car" Oil.

These both contain lots of zinc and are formulated for these old engines.

I would NOT use any of the modern, very thin synthetic oils.

Please understand, THIS IS JUST MY OPINION.

I am sure others will have different thoughts.

This works for me.

Other oils may work for others.

Chris W.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I have used a traditional oil ---used oil

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Hi 1929,

Many good suggestions under "Search" from which to choose.

Good question asked often; however, lots depends on:

a. If the inside of your engine has not been cleaned in some time, which oil is in your engine as we speak, detergent or non-detergent?

b. If your engine was recently dismantled & thoroughly cleaned, are you asking which oil to use in a thoroughly clean engine?

c. Local temperature, winter or summer?

d. Doesn't matter much what oil others are presently using with their varying specific climate and varying engine conditions ........ just try presenting a few more overall details which will help many to make proper recommendations for "your" particular engine.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

brand new motor -I use Valvoline VR1 40 wt

Re: Engine Oil?
 

The oil engineers that have spoke on the subject of what oil we should have in our early cars were clear.

Detergent oil with additives.

Contrary to popular belief the detergent does not pull all the sludge into the oil. It may help clean up a worn engine and suddenly start noises.

The additives are critical in protecting you engine. The water that gets into the engine from condensation from sitting and not being warmed up to cook out will convert some chemicals into acids.

Also you do NOT need to change the oil every 500 miles. That was for the poor quality oil of 1930. You need to consider the type of driving, but cars run on the road are good for a couple of years and or a couple of thousand miles. No need to waste money or the environment. Plus really have you ever heard of an engine full of oil ever failing becuase the oil was old? You are highly unlikely to ever put enough miles on your car to make a difference.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I tried to Search it here but was having problems. I have been using Rotella 10w 40, I saw a seminar yesterday on youtube by Antique Engine Rebuilder in Skokie, he says for a rebuilt motor use 5w 30.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I switched to 15W-40... I usually buy the cheapest brand I can find.

Ken

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I think you are fine with the Rotella 10-40. That is what I use year around here in Pa. I have seen that video and was surprised that he suggested such a light oil. I'm sure he knows what he is talking about though. You may want to go with a lighter oil in the winter. I see you live in NY and I'm sure it is cold up there right now. Either way I'm sure you will be fine.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Go to Youtube, and type in Model A engine rebuilder seminar, its the first video of Rich Falluca, overall, its a good seminar.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Forgot to say, I think he said use 5W-30 SN, I think that's full synthetic.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

No I don't think SN is synthetic. That is a grade classification. He also said that Zink is NOT necessary for our Model A since it has a steel cam.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Personally with a completely freshly rebuilt motor, I run a lighter weight oil for the first 50-75 hours for a "break in" period. The lighter oil helps everything seat faster (or so I was taught). But after that I run DMO 15-40 in all my old iron. There are more gents on here with a lot more experience than I with rebuilding A motors, but this is what I've done with several tractor engine rebuilds and they're still running strong after plus 20 years.


Saving iron from the scrap pile one piece at a time

Re: Engine Oil?
 

You have old posts and threads about schwalms, insert bearings, and oil. You mentioned that schwalms recommended 15W40 for your motor and you were happy... what has changed since then?? As with any oil thread your going to get different reccomendations so why not just continuing with got your motor this far. The AER website reccommends 5W30. Schwalms as u mentioned 15W40. I dont get what info your looking for..
If your just trying to get a survey going there was one done a while ago by Bob Johnson which should be in the archives

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...=186827&page=2

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170116

Re: Engine Oil?
 

You switched from 15W40 to 10W40???

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Multi Grade oils are THINNER, when cold & THICKER when hot, therefore giving a more CONSTANT VISCOSITY. That's a GOOD THING!!!
Bill Slick

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Mistake, still using 15w40, just wondering, because Falluca recommends 5W30 SN.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

15W40 is just perfect for me (and the A)

Re: Engine Oil?
 

10w-30

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Brad Penn Racing Oil 40W

Re: Engine Oil?
 

10W-30 synthetic

Re: Engine Oil VooDoo....
 

Mr. 1929,

Great question for a Saturday Am second cup of coffee.

Did Rich Falluca rebuild your engine ? If he did, probably a good idea to follow his suggestions. If not, new topic.

Probably the 'gold standard' of motor oil would be a modern straight 30 weight. What you start your trip with is the same as when you arrive.

Engine and oil manufacturers seem to agree that oil needs to 'be there' on start up, so we have 15w, 10w, 5w and even 0w available. A modern multi-weight has more 'wonder' chemicals in it than a pro-athlete.

Question; To get all the benefits from a multi-weight, you probably should also be using a thermostat?

'Just Asking...' JB

Re: Engine Oil?
 

20 x 50 super tech (Walmart) along with stp....

Re: Engine Oil?
 

You can use the Rotella T Triple Protection 15W-40 especially for older engines with flat tappets because this motor oil has 1200 ppm of zinc for more wear protection.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Kevin

Shell Technical Help Desk - US

Re: Engine Oil?
 

It goes to show ya on schwalms inserts they recommend 15W40,,,
AER inserts 5W30
Its. All a matter of preference. I use 15W40 on my AER motors...
But any viscosity will work...

Some engine rebuilders like chocolate and some like vanilla

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Its just a matter of curiosity, just want the best for my A.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

The cheapest I can find as any oil today is better then what was available in the 20's-30's.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I prefer 36-21-34. About 120 weight.

Oh, it's oil you're talking about. :o

Re: Engine Oil?
 

It is very important to try to drive your car on a regular basis.

Most of the time I get out the car I use for touring, it is usually for a drive of at least 10 miles or more one way and a lot of the time it is for more than that. I use a thermostat and get the engine up to operating temperature for a period of time. This helps keep all the moisture out of the oil which is very harmful to the engine.

I have a babbet "B" engine and I often use the car for long distance touring. I like a multi grade oil which is a little thicker than some like to run. Also, it gets hot in California in the summer. That is why I use 10-40 (winter) or 20-50 for long tours in the summer.

It is true that we do not really need zinc in the oil as we are running steel cams and the valve spring pressure in a Model A is not very high. Oil in the 30's did not contain zinc. It was not until the late 1940's that zinc was added to oil for passenger cars. This was with the introduction of the Kettering Engines from GM, Cadillac and Olds, OHV engines that operated at higher RPM and had higher valve spring pressures then was commonly used before this.

I gave up on trying to tell folks that Zinc was not really necessary for a stock Model A. Zinc is absolutely necessary for most OHV flat tappet engines to protect the cam from scuffing. Zinc will not harm a Model A engine and most people seem to think it is necessary for all old engines so I just leave it there.

Rotella is good as well as a lot of other oils. I just do not feel it is worth the cost to use synthetic oils. Also, they are usually thinner and tend to leak more. I do not like to run oil specifically formulated for Racing. Racing oil does not contain the anti corrosive agents and other additives "street" oils have. Remember, todays oils are all much better than what was available when our cars were new.

Drive your car on a regular basis, get it up to temperature. Use a thermostat to help keep condensation to a minimum.

This is JUST MY OPINION, and once again, I am sure others will have different opinions, which is fine with me.

Chris W.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Nice to see all polite responses to this post. Yes a repeated question but no problem with that... Looks like Ryan new rule are working...

Re: Engine Oil?
 

My 2 cents plus tax:
I know the history of my car going back to 1968. The previous owners told me to run non-detergent 30 or 40 weight, and change the oil every 600 miles. I'm not one to fix what isn't broken or change what doesn't need to be changed. I bought 5 cases of 40 weight ND at Sam's Club. It was very inexpensive. I have plenty of oil to last me years. I only drive the A about 1200 miles per year. Changing the oil is so easy, and only takes me about 15 minutes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I just had another epiphany. When I first bought my A I thought that oil was a one-size-fits-all kind of a deal. In the two years that I have owned my car, I have learned a substantial amount about these vehicles. The engine blocks are almost 90 years old, and in some cases they are 90 years old. Engine rebuilders can have slightly different procedures and methods. Not every engine wears the same either. It now makes sense to me that different oils are required by different engine rebuilders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I use multi grade synthetic in all my antique cars.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Finally a thread that I can weigh in on.........on the engine oil I use in a Model A Ford!!!!:D:D:D:D

Rotella T Triple Protection 15W40................;) See Mitch, he has free coupons. :p

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;)

Re: Engine Oil?
 

Our car engines today never had it so good...
but I still use SW non detergent starting w a break in oil if the engine is new.
Swoff

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I like brown oil, black is not good.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

As you can see as long as Model A's are around we will continue to debate this topic. I believe we all should use the oil that works for us.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I like Tom's specs.

Re: Engine Oil?
 

I would think that in my opinion, when this question comes up on a thread, its mostly because Model A owners want the best available for their car.