The Ford Barn

Cape Codder · 11-09-2017, 10:42 PM

glenn in camio - Have you ever considered to extend to say 1500 to see if it will change color. When / if your motor was rebuilt, how long has it been since the rebuild?
Thanks to CWPASADENA, tinkirk, nhusa for your comments.

john charlton · 11-10-2017, 04:38 AM

Ford recommended oil changes at 500 miles to reflect the straight single grade mineral oil of the day . Any cheap modern multigrade oil of today is vastly better . My family have 5 model As on the road and are very frequently driven . I buy cheap and cheerfull supermarket 20/50 multigrade as long as it is API/SEC marked . All our engines are "midlife" so I think 20/50 is better than 10/40 . Oil is changed when the oil starts to become opaque on the dipstick normally around 2000/3000 miles .Occasionally a pan is pulled and valve chest opened and all is nice and clean no deposits on crankcase walls and no "silver paint" in the oil pan bottom.

John in sunny morning Suffolk County England .

V4F · 11-10-2017, 04:23 PM

I did a year of research on oil . turns out most do not have hddp ( for flat tappet cams) .
I only really found one . VR-1 Valvoline racing oil . good stuff ........

Cape Codder · 11-10-2017, 04:46 PM

john charlton - Thanks for your response and insight. Must be a RARE Sunny day in Suffolk County!. Lived there for 5 1/2 years with minimal sun.
V4F - The Rotella I use has somein it but I also have been adding 4 oz. of ZDDP to the oil.

john charlton · 11-16-2017, 06:53 PM

Yes Cape Codder we are a bit short of sunshine here thats why I normally spend 5 months a year in very sunny Chandler AZ .I am long range "Trailer Trash" !!!

John in sometimes sunny Suffolk County England .

glenn in camino · 11-16-2017, 08:11 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I use 10-40 or 20-50 synthetic and change it every 6 months.

Ernie Vitucci · 11-16-2017, 08:24 PM

Les Andrews recommends 10-30 detergent in his book and a full lube job at all 31 or so fittings at the same time. The lube is just as important and the oil change. The other very popular oil is 15-40. Adding an oil filter and an air filter are very good ideas and both are available at all of the major Model A suppliers. The oil can be synthetic or mineral...all better than in the 1930's...Ernie

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-16-2017, 08:36 PM

Hold a match under a drop of oil on the dipstick. If it burns yellow, with a black soot trail, THAT'S GOOD!
If it crackles like a sparkler, there's some amount of WATER in it!
Bill Firebug

11-09-2017, 10:42 PM	#21
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Re: Selection of Oil glenn in camio - Have you ever considered to extend to say 1500 to see if it will change color. When / if your motor was rebuilt, how long has it been since the rebuild? Thanks to CWPASADENA, tinkirk, nhusa for your comments.

11-10-2017, 04:38 AM	#22
john charlton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,304	Re: Selection of Oil Ford recommended oil changes at 500 miles to reflect the straight single grade mineral oil of the day . Any cheap modern multigrade oil of today is vastly better . My family have 5 model As on the road and are very frequently driven . I buy cheap and cheerfull supermarket 20/50 multigrade as long as it is API/SEC marked . All our engines are "midlife" so I think 20/50 is better than 10/40 . Oil is changed when the oil starts to become opaque on the dipstick normally around 2000/3000 miles .Occasionally a pan is pulled and valve chest opened and all is nice and clean no deposits on crankcase walls and no "silver paint" in the oil pan bottom. John in sunny morning Suffolk County England .

11-10-2017, 04:23 PM	#23
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: Selection of Oil I did a year of research on oil . turns out most do not have hddp ( for flat tappet cams) . I only really found one . VR-1 Valvoline racing oil . good stuff ........ __________________ V4f

11-10-2017, 04:46 PM	#24
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Re: Selection of Oil john charlton - Thanks for your response and insight. Must be a RARE Sunny day in Suffolk County!. Lived there for 5 1/2 years with minimal sun. V4F - The Rotella I use has somein it but I also have been adding 4 oz. of ZDDP to the oil.

11-16-2017, 06:53 PM	#25
john charlton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,304	Re: Selection of Oil Yes Cape Codder we are a bit short of sunshine here thats why I normally spend 5 months a year in very sunny Chandler AZ .I am long range "Trailer Trash" !!! John in sometimes sunny Suffolk County England .

11-16-2017, 08:11 PM	#26
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Selection of Oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I use 10-40 or 20-50 synthetic and change it every 6 months.

11-16-2017, 08:24 PM	#27
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 612	Re: Selection of Oil Les Andrews recommends 10-30 detergent in his book and a full lube job at all 31 or so fittings at the same time. The lube is just as important and the oil change. The other very popular oil is 15-40. Adding an oil filter and an air filter are very good ideas and both are available at all of the major Model A suppliers. The oil can be synthetic or mineral...all better than in the 1930's...Ernie

11-16-2017, 08:36 PM	#28
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Selection of Oil Hold a match under a drop of oil on the dipstick. If it burns yellow, with a black soot trail, THAT'S GOOD! If it crackles like a sparkler, there's some amount of WATER in it! Bill Firebug __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"