Oil and anti-freeze question

[cpl624]

I am a very new owner of a 1931 pickup. Over the last two weeks I have gotten it running to the point it does not make me nervous to leave my neighborhood with out my phone in my pocket. New fuel and electrical systems and it seems to do well. I need to get the timing set better, but that is another topic.
I would like to change the oil and anti-freeze as I am pretty sure they have not been changed since the truck was moth balled 25 years ago. I do not want to start a debate over what brand everybody is loyal to, but am interested in ratio and type of anti-freeze, and what type oil to use.

Thanks for any assistance to a very NEW owner.
Rick
Pleasant Hill, MO

[Roadster Rich]

My engine and radiator are original. I have never used antifreeze, since I never run in the winter. Only use a water additive to avoid corrosion. In the oil I have no filter and run 30 weight non-detergent. Change once a year, regardless of the low miles.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Regular antifreeze 50% with water, and a 160* thermostat. 2 1/2 gallons is the right amount, as you want to leave 2 quarts capacity for expansion, otherwise it may just go out the overflow pipe anyway.

Any good detergent oil will work. I only add 4 quarts at changes.



Cut the barbbed portion off a plastic fitting and push it down from the top of the upper hose to hold the thermostat in place. No extra clamp needed, and you want the thermostat as close to the head as possible.

[bogdonj]

I run distilled water in both of mine throughout the summer/fall and when I put it away for the winter I drain the water out and pour antifree in it and drain it out. Never ever have had a problem and the block looks clean. (Cars are stored in a well kept garage) If your outside might want to look at antifree all the time.

[Patrick L.]

I use distilled water with rust inhibitor [ I drain it for the winter].. As far as oil, I like 30 wgt AD[detergent], 4 qts ..

[Bruce Adams]

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I like 15W 40 Shell Rotella oil, available at Walmart, since it is heavy on ZDDP zinc additive as in all oils from the 1940's.
I use Sierra brand anti Freeze here on Long Island in a 50:50 mix with distilled water all year round for its freeze protection, anti rust protection, and since Sierra brand propylene glycol is more "Foaming Resistant" than normal ethylene glycol blends.

[cpl624]

Tom,

So what degree thermostat are you putting in?

[ctlikon0712]

Tom, do you suggest drilling a hole in the outer rim of the thermostat for flow before engine warm up? If so, how large, or how many? I’ve seen this posted somewhere, and some new stats have them from the mfg.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by ctlikon0712

Tom, do you suggest drilling a hole in the outer rim of the thermostat for flow before engine warm up? If so, how large, or how many? I’ve seen this posted somewhere, and some new stats have them from the mfg.

I drilled two 1/8" holes opposite each other in a 160* thermostat.

[Pilotdave]

Just installed a thermostat. It came with a single 1/8" hole. I use 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water for coolant. Using SAE 30 non-detergent oil in the crankcase.