Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-31-2020, 08:12 PM   #1
Mike A Model
Junior Member
 
Mike A Model's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 22
Default 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
Mike A Model is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2020, 09:14 PM   #2
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default 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
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-31-2020, 10:07 PM   #3
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,873
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

I use 20W50 in my 8BA.
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 01:13 AM   #4
earlyride
Senior Member
 
earlyride's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Petaluma, cal.
Posts: 131
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

I'm running Lucas 10-30, has high zinc content
earlyride is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 08:05 AM   #5
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

20w50 Kendal is their racing/high performance oil and it has zinc
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 08:17 AM   #6
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,841
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
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
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 08:20 AM   #7
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

Whatever is on sale at the Dollar General that has an API seal on it.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 08:41 AM   #8
Tim Ayers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,143
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
Whatever is on sale at the Dollar General that has an API seal on it.
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.
Tim Ayers is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 10:05 AM   #9
51504bat
Senior Member
 
51504bat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SoCal-Redlands
Posts: 2,997
Default 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.
__________________
Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.
51504bat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 11:38 AM   #10
flatheadmurre
Senior Member
 
flatheadmurre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
Posts: 3,045
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

15-40 dieseloil...nothing fancy
flatheadmurre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2020, 04:17 PM   #11
B-O-B
Senior Member
 
B-O-B's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ft Mohave,Az
Posts: 1,984
Default 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,
B-O-B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 05:54 AM   #12
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,841
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

20/50 on a rebuild?????
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 06:11 AM   #13
jetmek
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: albany
Posts: 462
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol' Ron View Post
20/50 on a rebuild?????
Lotsa bad advice out there
__________________
engine and component overhauls my specialty!
Website- www.godevilgarage.com
jetmek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 07:39 AM   #14
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

run 10w30 for first 100 miles or engine stand run and then change to 20w50
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 08:36 AM   #15
FortyNiner
Senior Member
 
FortyNiner's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin
Posts: 1,129
Default 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?
__________________
19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built
1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it
FortyNiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 10:10 AM   #16
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default 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).
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 10:23 AM   #17
51504bat
Senior Member
 
51504bat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SoCal-Redlands
Posts: 2,997
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

Quote:
Originally Posted by jetmek View Post
Lotsa bad advice out there
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.
__________________
Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.
51504bat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 02:07 PM   #18
leon bee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 611
Default 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.
leon bee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 03:59 PM   #19
aussie merc
Senior Member
 
aussie merc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: sydney australia
Posts: 1,025
Default 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
aussie merc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2020, 06:07 PM   #20
Bill OH
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 423
Default Re: 8BA Truck Motor - Oil

I run 5W20 in a 221 with Mellings oil pump - pressure is 35lbs at 170 deg F
Bill OH is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:58 PM.