oil pan sludge removal
 

I recently pulled the oil pan on my 39 Ford sedan with a stock 221 CID engine using Fordbarn advice and found the attached. About 1/2 inch of sludge in the bottom; I think the pickup screen was so clogged hardly any oil was being drawn into oil pump. Engine was otherwise clean--I guess all the ash and contaniments had settled to the sump over the years. Engine now has about 60 pounds at cold idle, 5 pounds at hot idle, and around 20 pounds at road speed. I think this is fair for an older engine with the original (pre 8BA style) oil pump.

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

what weight oil are you using? we use 20W50 Kendal in about 10 engines around here and all of us like the performance. do you run an oil filter? changing oil every 1000 miles? do many short trips?

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

my 36 pickup was like that! the drop light did not shine through the screen. i bet your motor is happy!

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

alanwoodie I use 20-50 in my '41 and am very pleased. I generally put about 1000 miles and a bit more. Is it OK to change once a year before I put it away, say 1100 or 1200 mi.?
Or should I change it at 1000 mi. on the dot?

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

19Fordy. Thanks. I do use mothballs and start the car on the first of the new month.

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

Most of the oil pan sludge was due to the use of non detergent oil. Today's oils have additives to keep the contaminants in suspension. Years ago, we had to scoop out the gobs of "black jello" when the pan was dropped. Some oil pans, such as the Ford tractors, had a large removable port in the bottom of the pan to allow access to deposits. It came in handy, as the engine formed the frame of the tractor, and the oil pan couldn't be dropped without splitting the machine. Thankfully, non detergent oil is now history!

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

Unfortunately, this is quite true. It amazes me that, even in recent times, how many users on these forums recommend the use on non-detergent oil, just because these cars are old.

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

But what about the use of non-detergent oil in an old motor without an oil filter? That's what I have...

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

In your case, detergent oil would be more beneficial. It has components that pick up impurities and keeps them in suspension, rather than allowing them to settle out as the aforementioned sludge. The key to running an engine without an oil filter is frequent oil changes, not non-detergent oil!

Re: oil pan sludge removal
 

This was a car I picked up last year. I feel confident we have driven it more and for longer periods of time than it has run in quite a few years. I have good luck with both 15W-40 and straight 30W.

Agree that short drives, lots of sitting, and no additives to keep trash/ash in suspension is the cause-exaggerated by the poor crankcase breathing ability of the engine design.