The Ford Barn

Ron in Quincy · 05-19-2015, 03:55 PM

If you change to detergent I would definitely drop the oil pan, remove the drip tray, clean and flush out the sludge; then remove valve cover and flush it good, this will help to clean the passage ways to the main bearings and the rear cam bearing. Then use your air compressor to blow out the valve chamber and the passage ways in the valve chamber. Re-assemble the engine and install a full 5 quarts of detergent oil of your choice.

I personally use Caster Oil GTX 20-50 and have for over 30 years in all three of my A's.

Ron

40 Deluxe · 05-19-2015, 04:07 PM

What's interesting is: One urban legend says if you don't use oil with lots of zinc additive in your A, your camshaft will die a horrible death. Another urban legend says if you dare to put detergent oil in your A, the crankshaft will die a horrible death! Which one will you believe? You can't have it both ways! Actually, both are just that: legends!

CarlG · 05-19-2015, 04:23 PM

Soooooooo, then we need a detergent oil with lots of zinc??

And don't forget to add that little bottle of lead additive to each tank of gas.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 05-19-2015, 05:01 PM

As far as I'm concerned, the zinc doesn't hurt anything. After 27,000 fairly hard miles(no overdrive) the engine is clean, like new, and no viable wear.
I look at it as just extra protection to help the engine last longer.

SeaSlugs · 05-19-2015, 08:29 PM

the zinc thing does hold true about wearing out the camshaft - to a point:

The model A springs dont have enough force unlike more modern cars that have higher compression to wear out the cam. While it certiantly wont hurt anything by using the bottle of STP i dont beleive its going to blow up your engine if you dont use it.

dlfrisch · 05-19-2015, 08:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

As - Terry,NJ # 17 and 2manycars # 19 - state: I too use the Rotella T 15- 40. Has the right additives and from what I understand - a lot of on the road diesel haulers use it and they seem to have real good luck with engine time.

05-19-2015, 03:55 PM	#21
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: long time model A owners Oil choice If you change to detergent I would definitely drop the oil pan, remove the drip tray, clean and flush out the sludge; then remove valve cover and flush it good, this will help to clean the passage ways to the main bearings and the rear cam bearing. Then use your air compressor to blow out the valve chamber and the passage ways in the valve chamber. Re-assemble the engine and install a full 5 quarts of detergent oil of your choice. I personally use Caster Oil GTX 20-50 and have for over 30 years in all three of my A's. Ron

05-19-2015, 04:07 PM	#22
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: long time model A owners Oil choice What's interesting is: One urban legend says if you don't use oil with lots of zinc additive in your A, your camshaft will die a horrible death. Another urban legend says if you dare to put detergent oil in your A, the crankshaft will die a horrible death! Which one will you believe? You can't have it both ways! Actually, both are just that: legends!

05-19-2015, 04:23 PM	#23
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,116	Re: long time model A owners Oil choice Soooooooo, then we need a detergent oil with lots of zinc?? And don't forget to add that little bottle of lead additive to each tank of gas. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

05-19-2015, 05:01 PM	#24
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: long time model A owners Oil choice As far as I'm concerned, the zinc doesn't hurt anything. After 27,000 fairly hard miles(no overdrive) the engine is clean, like new, and no viable wear. I look at it as just extra protection to help the engine last longer.

05-19-2015, 08:29 PM	#25
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: long time model A owners Oil choice the zinc thing does hold true about wearing out the camshaft - to a point: The model A springs dont have enough force unlike more modern cars that have higher compression to wear out the cam. While it certiantly wont hurt anything by using the bottle of STP i dont beleive its going to blow up your engine if you dont use it. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

05-19-2015, 08:45 PM	#26
dlfrisch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Florida - 32128 Posts: 416	Re: long time model A owners Oil choice Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As - Terry,NJ # 17 and 2manycars # 19 - state: I too use the Rotella T 15- 40. Has the right additives and from what I understand - a lot of on the road diesel haulers use it and they seem to have real good luck with engine time.