8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

Recently I acquired a 1930 Roadster, that has been stored for some time, with an 8BA truck motor. As I go through the process of sorting thru the different systems. Two questions, I would like to ask concerning the general maintenance:

1. What oil would be recommended? I drained the oil and opened the oil pan inspection cover; the pan was very clean with no sludge buildup.

2. Being a truck motor how many quarts of oil? Currently, the engine does not have an oil filter.

Thank you for your help,
Mike

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

most trucks have a 5 quart capacity plus one for an oil filter. I have several 8ba engines and I run 20w50 kendall oil in all of my flatheads . if you decide to put an oil filter back on be sure you have the 030 restrictor or you will have very low oil pressure. pm me if you want the oil filter can

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

I use 20W50 in my 8BA.

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

I'm running Lucas 10-30, has high zinc content

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

20w50 Kendal is their racing/high performance oil and it has zinc

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

I think 10-30 would be the correct weight oil with stock bearing clearing clearances. Oil Pressure should be 10/15 lbs at idle and 40/50 at cruise. The reason is the lighter oil cools the bearing better than the heavier oils. However, the heavy oils make the driver and oil pressure gauge happier. Now the factory made industrial engines, that had a tag fitted to the block that stated the bearing clearance. Yes an old engine might need a heavier oil

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

Whatever is on sale at the Dollar General that has an API seal on it.

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

I agree with this for a used motor. Remember, when this motor was new, they sold "recycled" oil. Any modern oil would seem like Champagne to this engine.

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

Before I rebuilt the 8ba in my '39 p/u I ran straight weight but after the rebuild I now run 20-50. Some people run diesel multi weight also. Its kind of up to you.

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

15-40 dieseloil...nothing fancy

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

using castrol 20-50 oil & if it is available 20-50 racing oil in my flat heads. One fresh 24 stud rebuild & one 21 stud pretty new rebuild & one 350 G M engine with plenty of miles on it,

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

20/50 on a rebuild?????

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

Lotsa bad advice out there

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

run 10w30 for first 100 miles or engine stand run and then change to 20w50

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

For the great unwashed (that clearly includes me) a reference such as this is essential - Ford Flathead Engines: How to Rebuild and Modify by Tony Thacker and Mike Herman. 2016

Page 107: "Mike adds fresh engine oil to the [oil] pickup. His choice is Valvoline VR1 20-50; it aids in the pump's initial priming."

Is this incorrect?

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

That statement is unclear. Is he recommending that weight for general use, or for the initial run to facilitate oil pump priming? It seems to me to be the latter, but we can't be sure.

I run my engines on 10-30 or maybe 10-40 (whichever is cheaper). If the oil pressure is unsatisfactory, I would consider an increase in viscosity (or a rebuild).

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

Direct from the flathead experienced machinist who built the short block. Been several years and a couple of thousand miles and its still running like a top. Everyone has their own thoughts about oil but 20/50 works for me.

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

We don't really need another post here, but what the hell. I have two flatheads running, one completely rebuilt and another "freshened up". I used a 30wt breakin oil in each, and then went to NAPA 10w-30. Both engines have great oil pressure.

The thing is, I would not have considered the 10-30 except for Ol' Ron's posts since I came here to the Ford Barn.

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

first up fit a filter no filter = no chance of catching any thing that shouldnt be there Then talk to your oil supplier they will recomend the correct viscosity for your conditions. I might be wrong but it appears that every one has missed oil temp is actually what controls viscosity and oil life. you wouldnt run 20/50 in winter in northern canada as you wouldnt run 10/30 in saudi in summer as little as 10deg increase on a constant basis can half oil life. Castrol Texeco Shell it realy dosent matter they all have some smart people on there help lines

Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil
 

I run 5W20 in a 221 with Mellings oil pump - pressure is 35lbs at 170 deg F