Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-26-2021, 01:14 PM   #1
Patmat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Default 1950 8ba recommended oil

I just bought my first flathead car, a 1950 Ford Custom. Was told the last time it was cranked was 6 years ago. Under hood still looks good and car was restored 10-15? Years ago.
Was reading threads for oil to use in these engines, 20w50?, straight 20w?
Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks
Patmat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 01:26 PM   #2
mfirth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ohio
Posts: 986
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

I'd use10-30 in it. Depends on climate & miles on the engine. A lot of guys ues Rotella 15-40.
mfirth is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 06-26-2021, 01:40 PM   #3
Patmat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfirth View Post
I'd use10-30 in it. Depends on climate & miles on the engine. A lot of guys ues Rotella 15-40.
Thanks!
I’m in SC so it’s pretty warm all the time. I was reading about zinc content in oils.
I saw Castrol GTX makes a classic oil?
I’d like to start with something you experienced guys have been running in your flatheads for awhile and had no issues.

Patrick
Patmat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 02:07 PM   #4
Krylon32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,430
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

I like Brad Penn 30 weight with Zinc
Krylon32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 02:14 PM   #5
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,875
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Can you ask the seller what oil was used? I live in south FL. and use 20W-50.
Non synthetic.

Last edited by 19Fordy; 06-26-2021 at 05:04 PM.
19Fordy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 03:01 PM   #6
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
One thing I wouldn't do is run non-detergent oil as a few have suggested in the past.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 04:08 PM   #7
V8 Bob
Senior Member
 
V8 Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana
Posts: 1,517
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patmat View Post
I just bought my first flathead car, a 1950 Ford Custom. Was told the last time it was cranked was 6 years ago. Under hood still looks good and car was restored 10-15? Years ago.
Was reading threads for oil to use in these engines, 20w50?, straight 20w?
Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks

I would start with a quality 10W30 and check oil pressure. Always better to use the lowest weight oil resulting in good oil pressure, imo. The valve spring loads are pretty low in a stock flathead and I really don't think a high ZDDP oil is needed. My stock '51s 239" has been using regular Valvoline 10W30 for many years with no issues. If you want high zink, use an oil that is formulated with it, like Valvoline VR-1 (my choice when needed), Brad Penn etc, and not adding the additive to a low zink oil.
V8 Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 05:21 PM   #8
Sid
Senior Member
 
Sid's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rathdrum Idaho
Posts: 737
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Shell Rotella 15/40 is very good. I spoke with Shell oil a couple months ago and was told the T4 triple protection 15/40 has 1200 PPM of zinc. I run it in my Flatheads. I have found that 10/30 the oil pressure will drop slightly on a warm day. I run Valvoline ZR1 racing 30W in most of the Chevy's. I think it is about 1300 PPM. There is also Lucas Hot Rod oil and it has about 2200 PPM and a paraffin base. Which according to my machinist is too much as it can leave harmful deposits. Then there is Shafer's which is a little pricy if you can find it but very good oil from what I'm told. I've been told that 1200 PPM and 1500 PPM is your happy place.
Sid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 06:44 PM   #9
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Kendall GT 20w50, been running that in flatheads for 20 plus years with very good results==i live in upstate SC
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 06:54 PM   #10
Desoto291Hemi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Carthage , Tennessee
Posts: 199
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Paraffin will leave a lot of buildup in an engine .
When you tear one down and it looks like black wax is growing inside,,,,it is .
Any good oil will be fine,,,listen to these guys here,,,they know .
Also,,,,high zinc is not necessary,,,,,flatheads have low valve spring pressures .
Use good oil and change it regularly .

Tommy
Desoto291Hemi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 07:04 PM   #11
flatjack9
Senior Member
 
flatjack9's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oshkosh, Wi
Posts: 4,516
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sid View Post
Shell Rotella 15/40 is very good. I spoke with Shell oil a couple months ago and was told the T4 triple protection 15/40 has 1200 PPM of zinc. I run it in my Flatheads. I have found that 10/30 the oil pressure will drop slightly on a warm day. I run Valvoline ZR1 racing 30W in most of the Chevy's. I think it is about 1300 PPM. There is also Lucas Hot Rod oil and it has about 2200 PPM and a paraffin base. Which according to my machinist is too much as it can leave harmful deposits. Then there is Shafer's which is a little pricy if you can find it but very good oil from what I'm told. I've been told that 1200 PPM and 1500 PPM is your happy place.
1200 to 1500 ppm is more than is needed. 800 is plenty.
flatjack9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 09:35 PM   #12
Sid
Senior Member
 
Sid's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rathdrum Idaho
Posts: 737
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatjack9 View Post
1200 to 1500 ppm is more than is needed. 800 is plenty.
The Shell guy told me The straight Rotella 30W is about 800ish
Sid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 10:38 PM   #13
backrodebob
Member
 
backrodebob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Union City, CA
Posts: 57
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

VALVOLINE VR-1 20w50
backrodebob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 10:47 PM   #14
Brian
Senior Member
 
Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Masterton, New Zealand
Posts: 3,816
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

What oil to use has no definitive answer, everyone has their preference. Me, I use whatever is on special at the local retailer, normally a 20W-50 brew. I change oil every 1000 miles; that is what Ford recommended....the way I see it, any oil today must be better than what was available in the 30's-40's. About the only other thing I can add is just to use mineral oil, no need for fancy synthetic stuff.
__________________
Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!
Brian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 10:56 PM   #15
aussie merc
Senior Member
 
aussie merc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: sydney australia
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Ask your local supplier if you live in northern Canada the last thing you want is 50 wt same as if you live in Mexico you defiantly dont want 10 weight either as for detergant oil if your engine is in good nick it wont hurt but it will clean out any crud [ie carbon sludge] so if its worn it could result in engine developing blow by
aussie merc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2021, 11:22 PM   #16
35fordtn
Senior Member
 
35fordtn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Kendal or valvoline vr1 20/50 for me all day.. has zinc in it.... or Brad penn
35fordtn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2021, 12:31 AM   #17
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Keep oil in it. 10-40w or. Change it from time to time or every summer. If you want a higher pressure on your gauge put a thicker oil in (doesn't mean the engine is better or bearings are good, but it'll make you feel better looking at the gauge). Flatheads are a low oil pressure system. If your needle is above 10 you are good. 20 hot idle is very good on a regular flathead.

Last edited by Tinker; 06-27-2021 at 12:47 AM.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2021, 12:53 PM   #18
Gene1949
Senior Member
 
Gene1949's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 372
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Been running Castrol 20-50 GTX for many years. Both in the flatty and BBC flat tappet motor. Last I read it has enough AND is very affordable compared to others mentioned.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg ZDDP - Oil Chart.jpg (36.4 KB, 27 views)
Gene1949 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2021, 01:01 PM   #19
Gene1949
Senior Member
 
Gene1949's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 372
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

One other thing. Years back on this and other forums there were a few guys who would buy "snake oil" (ZDDP) believing they had more of a skill set than petroleum engineers who spent a lifetime learning the necessary disciplines in an attempt to "formulate" their own oils.
Gene1949 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2021, 01:09 PM   #20
Gene1949
Senior Member
 
Gene1949's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 372
Default Re: 1950 8ba recommended oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patmat View Post
I just bought my first flathead car, a 1950 Ford Custom.
Thanks
I would drop out the old oil and fire the motor and get it (oil) up to temperature/drive it around the block with a [cheap] light weight oil.
Rinse and repeat at least twice. IF everything is satisfactory then I would go to the heavier oil..


Just my .02
Gene1949 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:46 PM.