Can NOS oil additives go bad

[ford35lh]

Digging around,looking for a part, I discovered 6 quarts of 20w-50 .
It has been around since before 1985; thats when I stopped driving the
car I used it in.

Has oil this old lost any of its as manufactured qualities ???

[rotorwrench]

If it is still sealed in it's original packaging, ie can or plastic bottle, then it should be fine for a run and possibly as good as the day it was put in the package. There are no unstable additives for motor oil that I'm aware of that could cause any problem with basic lubrication. Aftermarket oil additives are a different story depending on what it was intended to do and its chemical makeup.

[ford38v8]

It wob;t go bad in the original packaging, and in fact, it may be better than anything you can buy today, due to the EPA reducing the zinc content in motor oil, which is needed in high performance engines. The only flatheads that need zinc are from the early 50's which had no hardened valve seats, however, most all of those engines have been rebuilt (or should have been) with hard seats.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

It wob;t go bad in the original packaging, and in fact, it may be better than anything you can buy today, due to the EPA reducing the zinc content in motor oil, which is needed in high performance engines. The only flatheads that need zinc are from the early 50's which had no hardened valve seats, however, most all of those engines have been rebuilt (or should have been) with hard seats.

I know what you are trying to say, but Lord I hope no oil is getting to the valves or you have bigger problems than zinc in your oil. LOL

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

It wob;t go bad in the original packaging, and in fact, it may be better than anything you can buy today, due to the EPA reducing the zinc content in motor oil, which is needed in high performance engines. The only flatheads that need zinc are from the early 50's which had no hardened valve seats, however, most all of those engines have been rebuilt (or should have been) with hard seats.

Hmm, there should never be any zinc on the valve seats! There's no way for it to get there unless you have the world's worst oil burner! Zinc additive is to prevent cam/lifter wear in an engine with extremely high valve spring pressures. Zinc is not needed in a flathead unless it's a high zoot all-out race engine.
I think you mean tetraethyl lead once added to gasoline to prevent valve seat erosion.

[qmdv]

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In the early 60's I was at Pep Boys and was looking at a can of Molly Lube. It said shake well before using. I asked a guy behind the counter if I put it in my Model T would I need to shake the whole car if I did not drive it for a while.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Hmm, there should never be any zinc on the valve seats! There's no way for it to get there unless you have the world's worst oil burner! Zinc additive is to prevent cam/lifter wear in an engine with extremely high valve spring pressures. Zinc is not needed in a flathead unless it's a high zoot all-out race engine.
I think you mean tetraethyl lead once added to gasoline to prevent valve seat erosion.

40 Deluxe - That's exactly what I was going to say but you beat me to it....

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I know what you are trying to say, but Lord I hope no oil is getting to the valves or you have bigger problems than zinc in your oil. LOL

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Hmm, there should never be any zinc on the valve seats! There's no way for it to get there unless you have the world's worst oil burner! Zinc additive is to prevent cam/lifter wear in an engine with extremely high valve spring pressures. Zinc is not needed in a flathead unless it's a high zoot all-out race engine.
I think you mean tetraethyl lead once added to gasoline to prevent valve seat erosion.

Originally Posted by petehoovie

40 Deluxe - That's exactly what I was going to say but you beat me to it....

Hmm.... What was I thinking? I guess my brain got homogenized with lead and zinc. Heavy metal can do more than blow out your eardrums!

[STEVE O]

Food for thought, I just saw a couple months ago best if used by date on Shell Rotella qts of oil???? Our Dino oil is changing even more???

[prpmmp]

Hi!! I believe this was posted before but just is case anyone missed it! https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=475187 Pete

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Hmm.... What was I thinking? I guess my brain got homogenized with lead and zinc. Heavy metal can do more than blow out your eardrums!

Haha. I knew what you were saying and couldn't resist a little ribbin'! You're a good sport.

[tubman]

I have a related question (not entirely in jest); do "Sea-Foam" and "Sta-bil" go bad over time? I have several unopened containers of each at least 10 years old. (Perhaps I should open them and add a little "Sea-Foam" to the "Sta-bil" and vice-versa.)

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by STEVE O

Food for thought, I just saw a couple months ago best if used by date on Shell Rotella qts of oil???? Our Dino oil is changing even more???

Probably just a marketing gimmick! "We need to sell more oil. How?" "Put an expiration date on it!"

[cmbrucew]

Our US government is the largest buyer of all products. They demand expiration dates for their inventory control. Date comes up out it goes and reorder.


Bruce

[tubman]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Our US government is the largest buyer of all products. They demand expiration dates for their inventory control. Date comes up out it goes and reorder.


Bruce

I wonder if the resell it, donate it, or just pitch it? Sounds like a potential resource to me.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Our US government is the largest buyer of all products. They demand expiration dates for their inventory control. Date comes up out it goes and reorder.


Bruce

I'm looking for Congress to shorten the expiration date of politicians.

[50fordcoupeman]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

I'm looking for Congress to shorten the expiration date of politicians.

Originally Posted by tubman

I have a related question (not entirely in jest); do "Sea-Foam" and "Sta-bil" go bad over time? I have several unopened containers of each at least 10 years old. (Perhaps I should open them and add a little "Sea-Foam" to the "Sta-bil" and vice-versa.)

My bottle of Stabil says to use within 2 years of opening it.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman

My bottle of Stabil says to use within 2 years of opening it.

I too have been wondering if stabil goes bad. I have a flip top spout can of it that looks like a ronson lighter fluid can. I have thought once or twice about starting a thread about this subject. More for fun than anything else. Glad to have the answer, thanks.

[RalphM]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

I'm looking for Congress to shorten the expiration date of politicians.

Never happen! Cause congress members ARE politicians!

[flatford8]

Someone on here or the HAMB has the tag line....”Diapers and politicians need to be changed frequently....... for the same reason”......good post on the Stabil.......Mark