Does anyone use Dello 15 - 40 wt Oil

[GerryAllen]

When I bought my car the seller was using Chevron, Dello 15 - 40 and suggested I continue on using it. I spoke with a chap the other day and mentioned I was about to change my oil and was using Dello 15 -40.
He seemed to be a bit negative about using it as he said it was detergent free. Is this the case, I would appreciate the "seasoned and not so seasoned" Model A types opinions.
Gerry Allen Birch Bay WA

[J Franklin]

Look on the jug, I doubt it is a non-detergent oil.

[M2M]

Originally Posted by GerryAllen

When I bought my car the seller was using Chevron, Dello 15 - 40 and suggested I continue on using it. I spoke with a chap the other day and mentioned I was about to change my oil and was using Dello 15 -40.
He seemed to be a bit negative about using it as he said it was detergent free. Is this the case, I would appreciate the "seasoned and not so seasoned" Model A types opinions.
Gerry Allen Birch Bay WA

He is wrong. See:

https://www.chevronlubricants.com/en...le-15w-40.html

Nothing wrong with that oil but if you believe high levels of ZDDP help prevent metal on metal wear then I suggest "Mobil-1 15w-50" or "Mobil-1 20w-50 V-Twin" which have very high levels of ZDDP. See:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-1...5-qts/20713647

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-2...1-qt/16767830?

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...pecs-guide.pdf

Or you can just add this to "normal" cheap oil:

https://rislone.com/product/3x-conce...inc-treatment/

[CarlG]

I've been using Shell's equivalent: Rotella 15-40. Seems to work just fine for me.

[J Franklin]

Or there we went!

[eagle]

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You mean Delo. It will be just fine, or buy whatever is on sale.

[GerryAllen]

My apology, you are correct Delo. Being new to forums, I never thought of the search function.
For those that I have offended by bringing up the subject yet again, what can I say

[J Franklin]

No offense. How are you going to learn if you don't try?

[Jim Brierley]

15-40 oils are meant for diesels and not advised for gas engines. I use 20-50, whatever kind is on sale.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Most ANY oil you name, is used by SOMEBODY???SOMEWHERE???? Hope this helps.
Bill W.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

15-40 oils are meant for diesels and not advised for gas engines. I use 20-50, whatever kind is on sale.

Diesel engines work under much higher compression and loads. I have never seen a recommendation not to use 15-40 multi-viscosity oil in a gas engine.

[Growley bear]

DELO: Diesel Engine Lube Only

This was over 50yrs. ago when engine oil was in cans and we opened it up with a push in opener/pour spout.
What about Chevron Purple Triton? I used that when it was available.

[Gary WA]

Been using Delo 400 for years in A's

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by Growley bear

DELO: Diesel Engine Lube Only

DELO- Desired Excellent Lube Overall

[M2M]

Originally Posted by Gary WA

Been using Delo 400 for years in A's

Which one? The 30wt or 40wt?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

15-40 oils are meant for diesels and not advised for gas engines. I use 20-50, whatever kind is on sale.

I use Delo 400 15w-40

[Growley bear]

DELO used to mean Diesel Engine Lube Only. I was instructed under the penalty of losing my job to never use it in a gasoline engine. We used Chevron Purple Triton in gasoline engines; when engine oil was in round cans and was opened with a push in opener/pour spout.
Of course things have changed since then with lubrication oil.

[Jim Brierley]

Ask 10 Model A guys anything and you will get 12 answers!

[Growley bear]

I know a couple of guys who use it in their Model A engines with good results. They like it.

[gustafson]

Some highly experienced users here state clearly that any oil at all will work just fine, including detergent and non-detergent.

non-detergent is cheaper

[California Travieso]

I have seen cases of Chevron Delo for sale at Costco. I don't remember the price but it looks like a good deal.

David Serrano

[braol]

Uh oh...oil discussion. Who will be the first person to recommend Amsoil??? (It happens in every forum I've ever been on.)


I'll kick the hornets nest now and mention that I just bought Penrite brand SAE 250 gear oil from "Restoration Supply Company" rather than Bratton's "600W" concoction...I hope I'm not too new to this forum to be a brat.

[M2M]

Originally Posted by braol

Uh oh...oil discussion. Who will be the first person to recommend Amsoil??? (It happens in every forum I've ever been on.)

I'll kick the hornets nest now and mention that I just bought Penrite brand SAE 250 gear oil from "Restoration Supply Company" rather than Bratton's "600W" concoction...I hope I'm not too new to this forum to be a brat.

Your recommendation to use Amsoil will likely be ignored by most people reading your post . As it's like asking someone to change religion.


As far as Penrite Oils from Australia, they're a scam as far as the benefits they claim...they don't even refine their own oil. Apart from overpaying for scam Aussie oil, maybe that 250wt oil might also be too thick for winter driving in USA?

[M2M]

Originally Posted by gustafson

Some highly experienced users here state clearly that any oil at all will work just fine, including detergent and non-detergent.

non-detergent is cheaper

Non-detergent oils are NOT cheaper.

Are these "highly experienced users" you mention chemical engineers that specialize in automotive lubricants?

[braol]

Originally Posted by M2M

Your recommendation to use Amsoil will likely be ignored by most people reading your post .

As far as Penrite Oils from Australia, they're a scam as far as the benefits they claim...they don't even refine their own oil. Apart from overpaying for scam Aussie oil, maybe that 250wt oil might also be too thick for winter driving in USA?

Oh no, I'm not recommending Amsoil. I use el cheapo walmart oil and add my STP to it.


I found the Penrite oil to not be overly expensive. I only got it because it is the proper SAE thickness. Well, that, and the fact that to buy real SAE250 gear oil one usually has to either buy a 5 gallon container or a whole 55 gallon drum. SAE 250 is what "600W" used to be and it worked fine in Model A's back in the day. One could always use straight 140w I suppose in the winter if they were concerned. I'm not saying one oil is better than the other...I'm just telling everybody what I prefer to use. (My uncle still owns my grandfather's original '30 Sport Coupe and has run SAE 250 in it since 1957, so I guess it works ok.)

[MikeK]

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I'm supposed to put oil in the engine? Good to know. I've got some extra from the turkey fryer.

[M2M]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I'm supposed to put oil in the engine? Good to know. I've got some extra from the turkey fryer.

That's fine, but I hope we're talking extra virgin olive oil.

[gustafson]

M2M what I posted may not be what I personally do, but it comes from the recommendations of countless other experts here right on this forum over many years.
A search will confirm

[J Franklin]

When we were kids my buddy bought RECLAIMED oil!!!

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

When we were kids my buddy bought RECLAIMED oil!!!

We just went to the shell station and got it for free!
That was a 51 Ford convertible that we called super rag. We carried 5 gallons in the trunk. And more than once we ran out and then she would seize. We will add oil let it cool and push start and away we go.

[Dodge]

The Model A engine cares a lot less about what oil is in it than we do........... It likes it all.