Arguementive Lubrication of The Model "A" & "AA"

[Bob Bidonde]

When the subject is lubrication of any sort, I recommend that you disregard vintage factory service bulletins, vintage manuals and word-of-mouth touting old time lubricants. Lubricants before 1960 have obsolete technology that can be deleterious to vintage vehicles. This is especially the case with vintage motor oil, vintage gear oil and vintage chassis / wheel bearing grease.

The most significant advances in lubricants are improvements in heat resistance, seasonal temperature accommodation, friction reduction, wear resistance, shelf life, service life, anti-sludge formation and there are other improvements. The jet age and WW2 brought about synthetic lubricants that have spectacular high temperature performance and wear resistance.

I practice what I preach and have been using the most modern technology lubricants since 1962. Not once have I experienced a failure due to the use of modern lubricants in my Model A's.

[katy]

Additives guide:

https://www.machinerylubrication.com...on%20in%20size).

[TMarsh]

Ok, I tend to agree with you. Can you give me a recommended schedule.

[stickshift]

This stuff is amazing. I discovered it at work and used it on bearings under high heat conditions. Other greases failed in weeks, this stuff lasted years on the same bearings. Now, I use it for everything that requires grease.

[David in San Antonio]

Bob, what motor oil do you recommend? Transmission oil? Rear end oil? I know this subject is the source of endless debate.

[Bob Bidonde]

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This is my practice re lubricating my Model A's.
Motor Oil: I use Walmart's Syntech Synthetic Blend 10W40 or whatever is on sale for the lowest price. No additives. I drive about 2000 miles per year, and my A's do not have oil filters.
Wheel Bearings, Chassis, Steering, U-Joint & Shock Links: Valvoline Grease fortified with Molyptinum Disulfide. Greasing is done once per year.
Shock Absorber Fluid: Syntech Automatic Transmission Fluid, and when they become worn I use STP. Shock fluid is replenished once per year.
Transmission & Differential: Walmart's Syntech 85W140 GL5 Gear Oil that I change about every 10,000 miles.
Steering: Sector bushings are greased with Valvoline Grease. The gear box is filled with STP.

[51504bat]

Don't know about a Model A but I use John Deere corn head grease in the steering box on my '39 p/u.

[Grier]

I use the John Deere Corn Head Grease in the u-joint and steering box.

[Big hammer]

I tried corn head grease in my steering gear box ( two tooth) , it got very tight to turn. Removed the box and replaced the upper and lower bearings, I found grease had stopped/plugged oil/lubricants from the sector bushings. I use 600w oil that the supplier supply and the gear box turns easily. I haven’t seen oil leaking from the box, but haven’t really looked, at least not dripping on the floor. I don’t think the steering box gets hot enough for the corn head grease to flow, no flowing no lubricating

[nkaminar]

Use the end plate or nut, depending on 2-tooth or 7-tooth, that has the tube attached. The tube extends beyond the top level of the oil. That will stop the oil leaks. Use 85W-140 G5 in the gearbox. That oil will reduce the wear and provide low turning resistance in the box.