Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I'm sure this has been asked a million times, but i couldn't find a post on it.
I just bought a 1928 Model A last weekend.
I am wanting to change the oil but don't know what to use.
I don't know if the engine has ever been rebuilt or not. If it has, it's more
than likely been a long time ago.
I've read that Mobil 1 is a good oil, but I've read conflicting stories about
whether to use synthetic or non-synthetic, detergent or non-detergent, and which weight to use.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I used Rotella 10/40 on my last oil change ---free used oil

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Use whatever you want. Its your car. I also use the rotella.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Really?

I use the drain oil from my modern car.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Brad Penn Penn Grade 1 15W40 Partially Synthetic Motor Oil

From Amazon 6.99 Qt


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EB7URY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/url]

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I recommend any type of diesel oil in any engine. Rotella and Delo are the easiest to obtain.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I use full synthetic in everything-even the riding mower...............

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Bituminous coal tar, thinned with white spirits. Oh wait, that's what I paint with...

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Didn't Rotella change the Zinc content in their diesel oils?

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

A search for oil or engine oil won't turn up anything, but a search for "engine oil" will give you 31 threads.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

First, Scar congratulations and welcome to the a Ford Barn.

I'm Ditto on the above. I use 10w-30. Can you drop the pan to find out what gunk is in the bottom of the oil pan? If so do so and clean, that's best. No, well this is my opinion only, change your oil now using any 10w-30 detergent oil. Drive the car gently until the oil gets gets to a normal temp (read hot). Drain the oil and repeat frequently then buy your preferred brand. Use with detergent oils.

I had a similar experience but couldn't drop the pan so detergent oil with several changes help.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Friend, Bob, bought a new Volvo-122, for 180,000 miles, he used ONLY drain oil saved from the 500 mile, first service, on new Volvos & used the oil filters, also. It was still running PRIMO when he sold it.
I have NO idea what brand or weight oil was used by the factory.
Bill W.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

And you always will. The truth is any oil designed for automobiles of the correct weight will work in your A and all oils are better then the best oil of the 20's and 30's. Some like the additional zinc that the rotella has in it. Some, as you have read, use used oil.

Let me give you a little background, There are two major lines of thought when it comes to motor oil for the A. Detergent and non-detergent. It has been said that non detergent oil will allow the impurities to settle to the bottom of the pan to be drained out during the 500 mile oil changes. The impurities, since they do not circulate will not find there way into the babbit. Detergent oil will keep the impurities in suspension, which is needed for an oil filter but since the the A does not have one will circulate and end up in the babbit. To further complicate things there are those that will tell you to only use non detergent oil in an old engine as the detergents will loosen up the deposits in the engine and will cause engine failure when the deposits let loose.

My personal opinion, whatever is on sale.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I use Rotella in all my antique cars and never a problem.
Wayne

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

You are right, although a million times is probably a conservative estimate.

My 2 cents: if money is no object, and given that the A only takes about a gallon of oil anyway, use 0W-30 or 5W-30 full synthetic. Whether you use Redline or Motul or Royal Purple or Mobil 1 is totally irrelevant, because the A engine will not experience running conditions that a Le Mans Prototype reving 9,000 rpm on the straight, does.

Only a tiny, itsy-bitsy notch below is using a synthetic Diesel oil. I really like Rotella full synthetic which is a 5W-40. Diesel oils, often also used in old motorcycles, keep solids better in suspension, And especially the older CI-rated oils had -- just like "racing oils" -- the advantage of not having to comply with emission requirements and catalytic converters.

If you are a normal guy, like most of us, by any 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil that's on sale. It is light years ahead of the finest engine oil money could by even in the 1930s when Mercedes Silberpfeile race cars did 200mph on the Autobahn.

What is more important than all of this, is that you change your oil frequently.

You may wan to find out if there's sludge on the bottom of your oil pan or not

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I use valvoline 20-50 synthetic in all my Model As.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

An interesting sidelite to all of the multiple grade oils mentioned to use,,,,,, I was advised by a professional Model A engine builder to stick with straight weight 30W because, and it makes sense if you step back and think about it, the Model A Ford engine is not a high pressure lubricating system what, 3-4 lbs., it is a splash-and-dip system that needs a little thicker oil to do the job right.

I have been running 10W-30 going to go back to straight 30W next week when I change oil.

0W or 5W blends are a bit scary to me.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

Straight 30 is no "thicker" at operating temp than 5-30.

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

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

Straight 30 has a thickness of 150 at 75 degrees
Straight 10 has a thickness of 30 at 75 degrees

Straight 30 has a thickness of 10 at 212 degrees
Straight 10 has a thickness of 6 at 212 degrees

So, 30 is real thick when it's cold out, and 10 is too thin when hot.

The oil guys add stuff to the oil so it will act almost like 10 when cold and 30 when hot thus 10w-30. 10w-30 is 100 at 75 degrees and 10 at 212 degrees

Re: Which oil should I use in my Model A?
 

I use NEW oil.

Actually, I also use the OLD oil too. Once it has been drained from my engine, I 're-purpose' it as a lubricant for the bar on my chain saw.

The Model A engine will happily accept just about anything that is not awful, tired, or used. If YOU think that your car DESERVES 'only the best', by all means treat yourself to an endulgance. But the car could not care less.