The Ford Barn

OLD AS I · 10-25-2016, 07:56 AM

I know this has been brought up many times but doing a search doesn't bring up much, never have much success with search on here. Did a Google search and links to Barn, V8 club and HAMP provided results. Shell Rotella T15W40 with STP added had 7 users, Castrol 20W50 5, 10W30 4, lot of comments to get highest ZDDP/Zinc content, anyone have any comment to add

billwill · 10-25-2016, 08:11 AM

Use 10w 30w and stay with it.Chane after 500 miles and stay with it.

jagnweiner · 10-25-2016, 08:13 AM

Haven't changed the oil yet on my Merc, but on my '63 MG, I use Valvoline VR1 20W50. It has a high ZDDP content and is pretty readily available.

The only reason I use 20W50 in that is because it is an MG, which means it leaks oil. The 20W50 slightly slows down the leaks.

G.M. · 10-25-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldasi

I know this has been brought up many times but doing a search doesn't bring up much, never have much success with search on here. Did a Google search and links to Barn, V8 club and HAMP provided results. Shell Rotella T15W40 with STP added had 7 users, Castrol 20W50 5, 10W30 4, lot of comments to get highest ZDDP/Zinc content, anyone have any comment to add

I used Castrol 20/50 in a NOS WW 2 engine from start up. It has
over 130,000 miles on it don't burn any oil and runs quiet. I
recently changed to Valvoline Cummins blue due to the additives
in it. I have several small diesels and based upon the attached
oil test comparisons switched to the Cummins oil. G.M.

Capitan Insano · 10-26-2016, 09:45 AM

Vavoline VR1 20-50w

Ol' Ron · 10-26-2016, 11:00 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Well you still didn't get much of an answer. Seems like, if the engine is properly built and broke in, it doesn't matter. I personaly believe the brake in prosses is more important. Just install the engine in your car or truck and drivre like you stole it. I use 10-30 oil.

Joe Immler · 10-26-2016, 12:16 PM

My engine re builder said to use 20-50. He is a major re builder and would certainly not recommend anything that would cause him warranty problems IMO.

rotorwrench · 10-26-2016, 12:35 PM

The old flatheads have pretty tight clearances if set up to factory specs. SAE 20W20 was what we used when I was a kid. In the summer we used SAE 30. After those went away we started using SAE 10W40 for everything but all the old engines were fairly loose by then. That was in the late 60s or early 70s and we used the old cars & trucks a lot back then. My first car was a hand me down 51 Merc and I was glad it survived long enough for me to inherit it but it was well worn. I was the last of 4 kids to use it and I wore the old motor out the rest of the way before I finally overhauled it.

Warranty problems due to motor oil would most likely be to forget to put some in. I think you can run just about any kind of motor oil in them within good reason. Any oil is better than none at all.

tubman · 10-26-2016, 01:31 PM

I think I have mentioned before that I have been buying my oil at Dollar General for the last few years. They usually have a known brand (the last I bought was "Peak") in 10w-30 and 10w-40. On sale it's usually $2.49 a quart. On the label it says "Not to be used on vehicles manufactured after 1985". That says there is to much zinc for current emission standards. Now, if they would just start selling filters..

.

Charlie Stephens · 10-26-2016, 01:37 PM

Use the oil the engine rebuilder recommends. If there are any problems he can't blame it on your using the "wrong" oil.

Charlie Stephens

Old Henry · 10-26-2016, 01:42 PM

With the number of hard miles I drive my car, 1,000 per month, I use the best there is - Mobil 1 total synthetic 10W-30 since last rebuild. My main bearings only lasted 55,000 miles with conventional oil prior to last rebuild.

Ol' Ron · 10-26-2016, 05:44 PM

Professor, I think your engine will last forever, be nice if it had a full flow filter. I don't think the synthetic oils ever ware out. I believe that cooling the bearings is very important for longevity, and a heaver oil only makes the gauge happy. However, the flathead, with approximately 80 HP, Has the same amount of bearing surface as a 350 chevy. So the loads are very small.

rotorwrench · 10-26-2016, 06:20 PM

The synthetic lube part could be cleaned of combustion by product & reused but the polymers get beat up too. If you could remove the old & add new polymers, the lubricant would last forever.

deuce_roadster · 10-26-2016, 06:53 PM

I'm afraid this question is a lot like "I'm going out to dinner, what is the best food to eat?"

uncle buck · 10-26-2016, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capitan Insano

Vavoline VR1 20-50w

What he said ^ He is a major flathead rebuilder.

OLD AS I · 10-26-2016, 07:23 PM

DEUCE_ROADSTER, you sure got that right, am more confused than ever, was set on either Shell Rotella T15W40 with STP or Castrol Syntec 20W50W. Think I'll go with one or the other, flip a coin

JSeery · 10-26-2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldasi

DEUCE_ROADSTER, you sure got that right, am more confused than ever, was set on either Shell Rotella T15W40 with STP or Castrol Syntec 20W50W. Think I'll go with one or the other, flip a coin

There is really nothing to be confused about! Just because different people like different products does not make one better than another. If I like red and someone else loves blue that is not a reason to get confused, LOL

63tango · 10-26-2016, 08:16 PM

Brad Penn break in oil I believe its 30 wt. I used it on my last rebuilt engine and no problems just like we want. There oil has great reviews. I`ve heard excessive ZDDP is not a good thing. Let the guys at the oil companies add it so its the right amount.

stangblue · 10-27-2016, 09:09 AM

If you smell gasoline in the oil I say change it (not just a faint hint). Other than that common sense on color and texture, time and mileage . I always felt the oil companies want us to change our oil more frequently than necessary! As for as oil I like Royal Purple its pricey but the research I've done its worth the investment, especially with the older Early V-8 Fords without oil filters.

Mike51Merc · 10-27-2016, 02:33 PM

Rotella T + STP here.
No complaints.

10-25-2016, 07:56 AM	#1
OLD AS I Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Oakwood, ON Canada Posts: 251	rebuilt engine, what oil to use I know this has been brought up many times but doing a search doesn't bring up much, never have much success with search on here. Did a Google search and links to Barn, V8 club and HAMP provided results. Shell Rotella T15W40 with STP added had 7 users, Castrol 20W50 5, 10W30 4, lot of comments to get highest ZDDP/Zinc content, anyone have any comment to add

10-25-2016, 08:11 AM	#2
billwill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: capemaynewjersey Posts: 653	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Use 10w 30w and stay with it.Chane after 500 miles and stay with it.

10-25-2016, 08:13 AM	#3
jagnweiner Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Geneseo, IL Posts: 290	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Haven't changed the oil yet on my Merc, but on my '63 MG, I use Valvoline VR1 20W50. It has a high ZDDP content and is pretty readily available. The only reason I use 20W50 in that is because it is an MG, which means it leaks oil. The 20W50 slightly slows down the leaks. __________________ Regards, Scott '47 Mercury Convertible '25 Dodge Bros. Touring Car '63 MG Midget

10-26-2016, 09:45 AM	#5
Capitan Insano Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 23	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Vavoline VR1 20-50w

10-26-2016, 11:00 AM	#6
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Well you still didn't get much of an answer. Seems like, if the engine is properly built and broke in, it doesn't matter. I personaly believe the brake in prosses is more important. Just install the engine in your car or truck and drivre like you stole it. I use 10-30 oil.

10-26-2016, 12:16 PM	#7
Joe Immler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 783	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use My engine re builder said to use 20-50. He is a major re builder and would certainly not recommend anything that would cause him warranty problems IMO.

10-26-2016, 12:35 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use The old flatheads have pretty tight clearances if set up to factory specs. SAE 20W20 was what we used when I was a kid. In the summer we used SAE 30. After those went away we started using SAE 10W40 for everything but all the old engines were fairly loose by then. That was in the late 60s or early 70s and we used the old cars & trucks a lot back then. My first car was a hand me down 51 Merc and I was glad it survived long enough for me to inherit it but it was well worn. I was the last of 4 kids to use it and I wore the old motor out the rest of the way before I finally overhauled it. Warranty problems due to motor oil would most likely be to forget to put some in. I think you can run just about any kind of motor oil in them within good reason. Any oil is better than none at all.

10-26-2016, 01:31 PM	#9
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use I think I have mentioned before that I have been buying my oil at Dollar General for the last few years. They usually have a known brand (the last I bought was "Peak") in 10w-30 and 10w-40. On sale it's usually $2.49 a quart. On the label it says "Not to be used on vehicles manufactured after 1985". That says there is to much zinc for current emission standards. Now, if they would just start selling filters...

10-26-2016, 01:37 PM	#10
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Use the oil the engine rebuilder recommends. If there are any problems he can't blame it on your using the "wrong" oil. Charlie Stephens

10-26-2016, 01:42 PM	#11
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use With the number of hard miles I drive my car, 1,000 per month, I use the best there is - Mobil 1 total synthetic 10W-30 since last rebuild. My main bearings only lasted 55,000 miles with conventional oil prior to last rebuild. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

10-26-2016, 05:44 PM	#12
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Professor, I think your engine will last forever, be nice if it had a full flow filter. I don't think the synthetic oils ever ware out. I believe that cooling the bearings is very important for longevity, and a heaver oil only makes the gauge happy. However, the flathead, with approximately 80 HP, Has the same amount of bearing surface as a 350 chevy. So the loads are very small.

10-26-2016, 06:20 PM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use The synthetic lube part could be cleaned of combustion by product & reused but the polymers get beat up too. If you could remove the old & add new polymers, the lubricant would last forever.

10-26-2016, 06:53 PM	#14
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use I'm afraid this question is a lot like "I'm going out to dinner, what is the best food to eat?"

10-26-2016, 07:23 PM	#16
OLD AS I Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Oakwood, ON Canada Posts: 251	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use DEUCE_ROADSTER, you sure got that right, am more confused than ever, was set on either Shell Rotella T15W40 with STP or Castrol Syntec 20W50W. Think I'll go with one or the other, flip a coin

10-26-2016, 08:16 PM	#18
63tango Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 251	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Brad Penn break in oil I believe its 30 wt. I used it on my last rebuilt engine and no problems just like we want. There oil has great reviews. I`ve heard excessive ZDDP is not a good thing. Let the guys at the oil companies add it so its the right amount.

10-27-2016, 09:09 AM	#19
stangblue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 370	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use If you smell gasoline in the oil I say change it (not just a faint hint). Other than that common sense on color and texture, time and mileage . I always felt the oil companies want us to change our oil more frequently than necessary! As for as oil I like Royal Purple its pricey but the research I've done its worth the investment, especially with the older Early V-8 Fords without oil filters. __________________ Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups. Last edited by stangblue; 10-27-2016 at 09:31 AM.

10-27-2016, 02:33 PM	#20
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: rebuilt engine, what oil to use Rotella T + STP here. No complaints.