The Ford Barn

d. · 05-20-2015, 06:50 PM

yes I am hanging on... I have several cases of 5w/20 left over from a modern car we sold.
Can I use it in my Model A, unknown history, runs well, no smoking?
Should I blend it with straight 30w, or is it OK on its own? Maybe a little STP additive?

Mitch//pa · 05-20-2015, 06:54 PM

i wouldnt use it or mix it with anything to use it.
if you were close by i would take it off your hands, as many newer cars spec for that

billwill · 05-20-2015, 07:11 PM

I would not use in a Mural Asell it to friendwrong oil for that car goodluck

harleytoprock · 05-20-2015, 07:54 PM

Too thin !

JD 1931 · 05-20-2015, 08:05 PM

Too thin for me, I use 20w 50w in mine, hot down here..

Synchro909 · 05-20-2015, 08:52 PM

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I'd use it maybe with some viscosity stabiliser added to make it more viscous. It is no doubt of higher specs than what a Model A needs (as are all of the modern oils.)
Although it is much thinner than what most of us use, it no doubt would keep the metal components apart.
When building a high performance motor, it is important to have as much oil flowing through the bearings as possible (to cool them). Might even find that it is better than thick oil. It is worth noting that oil film strength is not so closely related to viscosity as it used to be because of the additives they put in there nowadays.
I bet I get lots of feedback on that one!!!

M2M · 05-21-2015, 12:37 AM

Crossing Russia mid-winter I MIGHT use it.

Charlville · 05-21-2015, 02:21 AM

I've got a mix of 20/50 and 10/40 in mine

Patrick L. · 05-21-2015, 11:16 AM

Why not use it in your 'modern' cars ? Most cars within the past decade call for that [ if not full syn].
I wouldn't use it in an 'A'.
I also don't believe in additives like STP or mixing oils.

Allanw · 05-22-2015, 01:30 AM

If it were 5W-30, it'd be perfectly fine, but 5W-20 MAY be a little light when hot.

dumb person · 05-22-2015, 02:13 AM

Should be fine in winter.

C26Pinelake · 05-22-2015, 03:49 AM

I would sell it and use the proceeds to buy a more suitable oil.
Wayne

prpmmp · 05-22-2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allanw

If it were 5W-30, it'd be perfectly fine, but 5W-20 MAY be a little light when hot.

When its hot its all the same,its thin when cold(great for startup) Pete

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

Dollar Bill · 05-22-2015, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prpmmp

When its hot its all the same,its thin when cold(great for startup) Pete

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

I'm not a smart man but I do know that the 5W20 specd for newer cars pours like water and the 15W40 is more viscous. This leads me to think the thicker oil would do a better job filling the gap between moving parts when running and not drain away when the engine is shut down.

I can imagine late model engines can get away with thinner oil due to tighter clearances and a better oiling system than engines that were designed in early 1900's.

I have to agree with most of the responders to this thread - Use the 5W20 in newer cars as called for by the engine designers.

V4F · 05-22-2015, 10:42 AM

I would not use it in my lawn mower !

Fred K-OR · 05-22-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2M

Crossing Russia mid-winter I MIGHT use it.

Not knowing much about this question but I would agree with this comment. It would seem like where you lived and what time of year is was.

Rocketsled · 05-22-2015, 04:51 PM

Modern low end multi-viscosity oils enable new car makers to achieve the MPG figures required by Gov.
In an A, I use SAE 30HD. I would switch to SAE 20 HD if cold weather
usage is planned.
Old timers who came into our family Texaco in the 1950's used SAE 20
year 'round in southern New England.
Rocketsled

Allanw · 05-23-2015, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prpmmp

When its hot its all the same,its thin when cold(great for startup) Pete

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

No - the second number refers to the hot viscosity, as your link states.

prpmmp · 05-23-2015, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allanw

No - the second number refers to the hot viscosity, as your link states.

Opps!! Being stupid is not against the law! It's mighty unhandy once in a while

Pete

Allanw · 05-23-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prpmmp

Opps!! Being stupid is not against the law! It's mighty unhandy once in a while

Pete

I think the guy who came up with the "system" should be shot! there are far easier ways, that would be easier to "get".

MOST people (inc mechanics and piles of people on here) still don't understand it (even if they think they do

)

05-20-2015, 06:50 PM	#1
d. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 510	5w/20 oil OK to use? yes I am hanging on... I have several cases of 5w/20 left over from a modern car we sold. Can I use it in my Model A, unknown history, runs well, no smoking? Should I blend it with straight 30w, or is it OK on its own? Maybe a little STP additive?

05-20-2015, 06:54 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? i wouldnt use it or mix it with anything to use it. if you were close by i would take it off your hands, as many newer cars spec for that Last edited by Mitch//pa; 05-20-2015 at 07:56 PM.

05-20-2015, 07:11 PM	#3
billwill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: capemaynewjersey Posts: 653	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? I would not use in a Mural Asell it to friendwrong oil for that car goodluck

05-20-2015, 07:54 PM	#4
harleytoprock Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 438	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Too thin !

05-20-2015, 08:05 PM	#5
JD 1931 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: west coast Fla.. Posts: 311	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Too thin for me, I use 20w 50w in mine, hot down here..

05-20-2015, 08:52 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,495	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'd use it maybe with some viscosity stabiliser added to make it more viscous. It is no doubt of higher specs than what a Model A needs (as are all of the modern oils.) Although it is much thinner than what most of us use, it no doubt would keep the metal components apart. When building a high performance motor, it is important to have as much oil flowing through the bearings as possible (to cool them). Might even find that it is better than thick oil. It is worth noting that oil film strength is not so closely related to viscosity as it used to be because of the additives they put in there nowadays. I bet I get lots of feedback on that one!!! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

05-21-2015, 12:37 AM	#7
M2M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Australia/USA/EU/Soviet Russia Posts: 1,105	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Crossing Russia mid-winter I MIGHT use it.

05-21-2015, 02:21 AM	#8
Charlville Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: West Berkshire, United Kingdom Posts: 368	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? I've got a mix of 20/50 and 10/40 in mine __________________ Kevin Flood West Berkshire UK Member MAFCGB, VHRA, SAH, Brooklands Trust Sporadic progress on My 1929 Sport Coupe can be found here along with my blog http://automotiveamerican.com/

05-21-2015, 11:16 AM	#9
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Why not use it in your 'modern' cars ? Most cars within the past decade call for that [ if not full syn]. I wouldn't use it in an 'A'. I also don't believe in additives like STP or mixing oils.

05-22-2015, 01:30 AM	#10
Allanw Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Whangarei, New Zealand Posts: 298	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? If it were 5W-30, it'd be perfectly fine, but 5W-20 MAY be a little light when hot. __________________ Allan '29 Tudor, Canadian RHD Whangarei, NZ "Duct Tape can't fix stupid, but it can MUFFLE the sound"

05-22-2015, 02:13 AM	#11
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Should be fine in winter. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

05-22-2015, 03:49 AM	#12
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? I would sell it and use the proceeds to buy a more suitable oil. Wayne

05-22-2015, 10:42 AM	#15
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? I would not use it in my lawn mower ! __________________ V4f

05-22-2015, 04:51 PM	#17
Rocketsled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wakefield, N.H. USA Posts: 142	Re: 5w/20 oil OK to use? Modern low end multi-viscosity oils enable new car makers to achieve the MPG figures required by Gov. In an A, I use SAE 30HD. I would switch to SAE 20 HD if cold weather usage is planned. Old timers who came into our family Texaco in the 1950's used SAE 20 year 'round in southern New England. Rocketsled

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