The Ford Barn

Tak28Tudor · 08-31-2021, 02:16 PM

Gentlemen:

I recently acquired a restored 1948 Ford F1. The truck was recently restored by the previous owner and we purchased it from his Estate. We know the 239 Flathead V8 was recently rebuilt, however, we don't have any information regarding when the vehicle was last serviced. Therefore, I want to go thru the truck and change all fluids, etc.

Question: What oil should we run? (brand and weight) Located in South Carolina. I know there is a WIDE range of opinions on this topic. I have heard good things about Lucas Hot Rod & Classic 10w-30 with High Zinc.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Brent

JSeery · 08-31-2021, 02:34 PM

Flatheads do not require high zinc because they have low valve spring pressure on the lifters/cam. The oil to use is up to you, about any modern oil is fine. 10w-30 would be a good option. The Lubrication chart for the F1 is in the service manual.

alanwoodieman · 08-31-2021, 03:51 PM

20w50 Kendall oil, or lots of guys use rotella diesel oil 15w40. I live in upsate SC and run the 20w50 in all my flatheads with good performance. use synthetic grease in all fitting and use 90wt trans lube--NEVER-use any gl 5 or above as it will ruin the brass in the trans, I also put a quart of lucas oil extender in the trans and then fill with 90 wt. I have used 140 with the lucas in 4 speed truck trans. location is SC?

tubman · 08-31-2021, 06:27 PM

I run 10/30 from Dollar General and save a lot of money. ANY oil available these days (except for non-detergent) is so superior to what was available when these vehicles were new that there is no comparison. Many folks spend a lot on oil, but it's mainly for braggin' rights. As you will also see on here from a lot of folks who know, that in a a flathead, oil flow is more important that oil pressure, thus the higher viscosity oils are not required for use in them.

One thing I do not recommend is using oil with an additive package designed specifically for compression ignition engines (diesels) in conventional spark ignition engines. That is not what it was designed for. Contrary to what some people think, petroleum engineers working for those big oil companies do know what they're doing

Ford Freak · 09-01-2021, 08:50 AM

For years now I have used 20/50 from Family Dollar. Never had a problem, and I save $$!

rotorwrench · 09-01-2021, 09:04 AM

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The light duty 3-speed transmissions do well with Sta-Lube GL4 in either viscosity rating depending on climatic conditions. The rear axle can use any GL5 rated gear lubricant or the same as the transmission if you want. The steering gearbox can use about any rating of gear oil with recommended viscosity to be equivalent to OEM specs for climate.

The engine called out SAE 10 for winter and SAE 20 for summer. This puts 10W/30 right in the specs for all season lubricant.

Tak28Tudor · 09-02-2021, 08:25 AM

Thank you! This is very helpful information!

08-31-2021, 02:16 PM	#1
Tak28Tudor Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 15	1948 Ford F1 - New Owner Gentlemen: I recently acquired a restored 1948 Ford F1. The truck was recently restored by the previous owner and we purchased it from his Estate. We know the 239 Flathead V8 was recently rebuilt, however, we don't have any information regarding when the vehicle was last serviced. Therefore, I want to go thru the truck and change all fluids, etc. Question: What oil should we run? (brand and weight) Located in South Carolina. I know there is a WIDE range of opinions on this topic. I have heard good things about Lucas Hot Rod & Classic 10w-30 with High Zinc. Any advice? Thanks, Brent

08-31-2021, 02:34 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 1948 Ford F1 - New Owner Flatheads do not require high zinc because they have low valve spring pressure on the lifters/cam. The oil to use is up to you, about any modern oil is fine. 10w-30 would be a good option. The Lubrication chart for the F1 is in the service manual.

08-31-2021, 03:51 PM	#3
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: 1948 Ford F1 - New Owner 20w50 Kendall oil, or lots of guys use rotella diesel oil 15w40. I live in upsate SC and run the 20w50 in all my flatheads with good performance. use synthetic grease in all fitting and use 90wt trans lube--NEVER-use any gl 5 or above as it will ruin the brass in the trans, I also put a quart of lucas oil extender in the trans and then fill with 90 wt. I have used 140 with the lucas in 4 speed truck trans. location is SC?

08-31-2021, 06:27 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: 1948 Ford F1 - New Owner I run 10/30 from Dollar General and save a lot of money. ANY oil available these days (except for non-detergent) is so superior to what was available when these vehicles were new that there is no comparison. Many folks spend a lot on oil, but it's mainly for braggin' rights. As you will also see on here from a lot of folks who know, that in a a flathead, oil flow is more important that oil pressure, thus the higher viscosity oils are not required for use in them. One thing I do not recommend is using oil with an additive package designed specifically for compression ignition engines (diesels) in conventional spark ignition engines. That is not what it was designed for. Contrary to what some people think, petroleum engineers working for those big oil companies do know what they're doing

09-01-2021, 08:50 AM	#5
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Re: 1948 Ford F1 - New Owner For years now I have used 20/50 from Family Dollar. Never had a problem, and I save $$! __________________ 1952 Ford F1 1965 Ford Falcon Sprint 2007 Ford Mustang GT

09-01-2021, 09:04 AM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1948 Ford F1 - New Owner Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The light duty 3-speed transmissions do well with Sta-Lube GL4 in either viscosity rating depending on climatic conditions. The rear axle can use any GL5 rated gear lubricant or the same as the transmission if you want. The steering gearbox can use about any rating of gear oil with recommended viscosity to be equivalent to OEM specs for climate. The engine called out SAE 10 for winter and SAE 20 for summer. This puts 10W/30 right in the specs for all season lubricant. Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-01-2021 at 09:09 AM.

09-02-2021, 08:25 AM	#7
Tak28Tudor Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 15	Re: 1948 Ford F1 - New Owner Thank you! This is very helpful information!