1950 8ba recommended oil

[tubman]

Actually, if "everything is satisfactory", why go with "the heavier oil"?

[Ronnie]

^^ Yup x2



R

[Rudolph]

You would have a hard time finding non detergent oil now days

[Gene1949]

Originally Posted by tubman

Actually, if "everything is satisfactory", why go with "the heavier oil"?

Because (according to the charts and articles I've read) ONLY the heavier oils have acceptable levels of ZDDP

[tubman]

There was no such thing as "ZDDP" in the oil when these engines were designed. Flatheads, with their relatively low valve spring pressure do not need high levels of "ZDDP". The whole thing has become overblown.

[Gene1949]

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Originally Posted by tubman

There was no such thing as "ZDDP" in the oil when these engines were designed. Flatheads, with their relatively low valve spring pressure do not need high levels of "ZDDP". The whole thing has become overblown.

Agreed but at the same time mechanics/one on every other street corner back in the day made a good living changing out camshafts specifically because the advancements in oil technology hadn't caught up to consumers.

[Gene1949]

besides, the oils I mentioned are MULTI-viscosity. They do function as 20 wt at lower engine/oil temperatures.

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by Gene1949

Because (according to the charts and articles I've read) ONLY the heavier oils have acceptable levels of ZDDP

So not true. You're reading the wrong articles.

[Gene1949]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

So not true. You're reading the wrong articles.

show me, I'm willing to learn. The API (American Petroleum Institute) and independent testing labs are wrong??
This I do know, my family farms just up the road from tubman. In the 40s, 50s and 60s they had a sizeable line of [parked] beautiful cars because of engine failures. Most with worn out engines @ 60,000-70,000 mileage. While not as anal as I am about maintenance and tuning they took care of their rigs. There is no reason our flatties can't run over 100k

[flatjack9]

I guess the proof is in my experience. I've go over 60,000 miles on my engine. 60 psi at start up and never drops below 25 even after extended highway driving. Show me the tests to prove your point. I have always used 10W - 30 oil.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Gene1949

show me, I'm willing to learn. The API (American Petroleum Institute) and independent testing labs are wrong??
This I do know, my family farms just up the road from tubman. In the 40s, 50s and 60s they had a sizeable line of [parked] beautiful cars because of engine failures. Most with worn out engines @ 60,000-70,000 mileage. While not as anal as I am about maintenance and tuning they took care of their rigs. There is no reason our flatties can't run over 100k

When the flathead was sold, most people never lived more then 30 miles from where they were born. The cars came with tools to fix them from the factory. It's impossible to get a full spare now. Do you think they changed the oil every 3-5k miles like today? or knew what zppd was? My Model A I picked up a 5gal bucket of animal fat (cylinder oil for compressors) safe for yellow metals in the trans and diff. I'm not sure you can make that mileage claim, todays car standards or lifestyles, to a motor over 70 yrs old.

[Tinker]

I run 2 - 37 block flatheads. They still running no matter how many times I hear you can put a crate sbc in it. hahaha. Just kinding. Just change the oil. I'd venture to say a motor with an oil change will last longer then a motor without.