What weight oil in the engine

[BFD]

What weight oil do most guys run in there Model A engines

[Mitch//pa]

there was a survey done on this maybe someone has it saved and can post it.

[skip]

Check the survey. Somebody had posted a link to it...I simply use 10w-40w, any brand. It only stays in the engine for 5000 miles or one season. Then it goes into my Ford Expedition for a while before I take it recycling. TOM IS CORRECT. I MEAN 500 MILES.

Cam-2~20-50 was good racing oil. Always had better oil pressure with Cam-2 from Sears then with Casteroil GTX 20-50. But then again since Model 'A's have nearly no oil pressure to begin so with why try to push 'mud' through the pump and free fall back down?
It's flow baby! Some 26 pts a minute at 1300 rpm. [I can't remember if that crank shaft rpm or oil pump/distributer rpm]

That's really what cools the engine more then water in my honest ops.


skip.

[Doug Cox]

I like Shell Rotella T 15W-40 because of the zinc content. I know it is pricy, but so is a rebuilt engine.

[Bob Johnson]

Click on link below for oil survey results.

Oil Survey

You might also look at the Add Ons survey. It has information about aditives.

Add On Survey
Bob

[4banger]

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I run 20-50 valvoline racing oil. It has more zinc than most oils I have 37000 miles and only had to take .006 from rear main @ 32000. Babbit bearings and counter balanced crank

[tamagrouchy]

I've been using diesel engine oil. It's super heavy duty and has many of the additives that have been removed from normal gas engine oil. This year, I am trying Mobil 1 5W40 A little thinner when cold to help with flow, then 40W when hot. So far so good. I do run a filter, don't drive the car more than 1000 / year so I only change it in the spring.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by skip

Check the survey. Somebody had posted a link to it...I simply use 10w-40w, any brand. It only stays in the engine for 5000 miles or one season. Then it goes into my Ford Expedition for a while before I take it recycling.

skip.

Skip, do you really go 5,000 miles on Model A oil? That's a long time for any engine, even if it has a filter.

I use Shell Rotella 15-40 the same as Doug.

[Kevin in NJ]

Some interesting reading

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/faq...=haas_articles

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by tamagrouchy

I've been using diesel engine oil. It's super heavy duty and has many of the additives that have been removed from normal gas engine oil. This year, I am trying Mobil 1 5W40 A little thinner when cold to help with flow, then 40W when hot. So far so good. I do run a filter, don't drive the car more than 1000 / year so I only change it in the spring.

Wouldn't it be better to change the oil in the fall, so the engine sets all winter with a coating of fresh clean oil? Plus any acids would be drained out so they won't be eating holes in the dipper tray or oil pan. Maybe that's no longer a problem, but I've seen both on used oil pans.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I tend to use my coupe all year and have 15-40 oil in it with very good results. I had 20-50 in it but I feel that's a little too thick in cold weather. With 15-40 it turns over easily, doesn't leak or burn and I change it when it starts to look dirty on the stick. I don't run a filter.

[skip]

Sorry. I mis spoke. Make that about 500 miles. Thanx Tom.

[Mitch//pa]

15w40 rotella has more zinc content than the others

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

And the 2011 Mustangs I've been looking at as well as ALL of the 2011 Ford Motor Co. line-up,,,Ford recommends 10,000 mile oil change intervals!!

Man, it sure has come a long way---

I'm sure some cheap skate tried that back in 'the day' wonder how long those engines lasted on that nasty 1930 era oil?

Hey, I had an uncle that tried that with every car he owned. He didn't believe in maintenance. He'd just drive until the oil light came on, then keep driving until he came to a place where he could buy another quart of oil to dump in. His daughter's husband is the same way. He just destroyed an engine a few weeks ago, now my cousin needs to find another car. I never could figure out why some people think an engine or car is cheaper than an oil change.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by tom wesenberg

hey, i had an uncle that tried that with every car he owned. He didn't believe in maintenance. He'd just drive until the oil light came on, then keep driving until he came to a place where he could buy another quart of oil to dump in. His daughter's husband is the same way. He just destroyed an engine a few weeks ago, now my cousin needs to find another car. I never could figure out why some people think an engine or car is cheaper than an oil change.

i hear ya, amen

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Tom there is farmer close by that does this exact same thing. He always buys a new Mercury, runs it 60,000 miles to the end of the powertrain warranty with NO oil or filter change, then runs it back to the dealership and trades for a new one.

Everybody knows it so nobody around here will buy a car from him. The dealer just drives them to St. Louis to the big car auction and unloads it.

I'd sure hate to be the guy that bought one of those cars. And this guy is very very wealthy it's not like he can't afford an oil change. He will drive to Macomb (about 60 miles) if they are offering a free pork chop sandwich at some seed corn expo, he does this all the time!! It's just the idea of 'free'!!!!

guess what there is no powertrain warranty without oil change receipts and documentation

[roccaas]

Non detergent 30 weight (pre 1963 oil). Added a bottle of Zinc additive at the last change. Change every 6 months.

[Bruce Adams]

I, personally like Shell Rotella 15W-40, having a viscosity close to what Henry recommended of 15 when clod and 40 when warm. The original recommendation was for 20 weight in winter and 30 weight in summer.
The Shell Rotella is also heavy on the ZDDP additive which has been around since the mid 1930s and I feel has helped our engines last eighty years.
There is no one answer for BEST, just a lot of valuable opinions.

[HoarseWhisperer]

10,000 miles a season, Shell Rotella 15W-40, changed every 500 miles.
I've been hearing that the zinc is being removed or eliminated in even the "diesel" oils. But I cannot find anything definitive on this. Anyone?

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by HoarseWhisperer

10,000 miles a season, Shell Rotella 15W-40, changed every 500 miles.
I've been hearing that the zinc is being removed or eliminated in even the "diesel" oils. But I cannot find anything definitive on this. Anyone?

zinc has been reduced in diesel oils and this fall is being reduced even more. i forgot where i read it but rotella 15/40 has the highest zinc levels compared to most of the other oils

[Kevin - Illinois]

Straight 30 weight, no filter, change every 500 miles. My oil of choice is Farm & Fleet at about $1.25 per quart. Oh, and detergent.

[msmaron]

I use mobile one 10w30 and Marvel Mystery Oil with it and i LOVE it. Runs like a top and smooth

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by Bruce Adams

I, personally like Shell Rotella 15W-40, having a viscosity close to what Henry recommended of 15 when clod and 40 when warm. The original recommendation was for 20 weight in winter and 30 weight in summer.
The Shell Rotella is also heavy on the ZDDP additive which has been around since the mid 1930s and I feel has helped our engines last eighty years.
There is no one answer for BEST, just a lot of valuable opinions.

How does the zinc help the engine that is in the Rotella?? or the ZDDP please
mark

[dr.j]

HD 30 detergent and changed at 500 miles; fresh oil change in fall prior to winterizing

[Mike V. Florida]

About 4 pounds.

[TerryH]

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And the other side of this, according to many, is that the Model A engine is low tech, and does not need special additives or even extra zinc. I have yet to read an article that attributes unusual wear or trouble on a Model A engine for sure to the newer oils with lower zinc levels. As usual, this is a very controversial topic and there is no one answer to satisfy all......but I am sticking to my Pennzoil 10-30w every 1,000 miles.

[29RPU]

I'm weighing in with 30w. That is what we used in the garage I worked in. Brand didn't seem to matter. One thing to note is that I saw someone post 5w-30w. Something to be careful of here is the oil being so thin that it seeps thru the gaskets. I ran some 5w-30w in a 67 camaro of mine and it started to seep out. I went back to 30 and it seems to have stopped for the most part. I've heard it said that once oil makes it past a gasket, it continues to seep....anyway...my 2cents.

[Steve Ciccalone]

For what it's worth, I run Rotella in my 1998 E-350 7.3 diesel van. Oil change 3000-5000 miles. It has 403,000 miles and has never required any engine work save three fuel injectors.

[Bruce Adams]

The Zinc, in the form of ZDDP, is a lube for valves and such. It is an additive that was removed from oils with the SM rating and the "Sunburst" stating "Safe for ALL Gasoline Engines." It was removed, (or not added) to assist the latest catalytic converters. I spoke to Shell's Technical Customer Service chemist who advised me that Rotella still has enough zinc added to meet our needs.

[Bob A.]

BFD, Congratulations! you get the first oil question trophy of the new Ford Barn. :>)

[Tom L.]

Studied the oil survey and the great number of thoughts and advice posted on this subject. Ultimately decided to go with Shell Rotella T (I think the "T" is the latest version of Shella Rotella) 15w-40. I am not sure when the oil in this Model A was changed last, or what type of oil is in it now. Will be checking the oil pan for sludge. Changing the oil every 500 miles will be a bit pricey with this oil but, as many of noted, it is better than having to rebuild an engine. The prior posts on this subject were very helpful, thanks guys.

[oldmanandakid]

So what happens if you mix detergent and non-detergent?

[Duffy1]

Model A owners manual says 20 in winter and 40 in summer .

[glenn in camino]

In my B engine delivery I run 20-50 synthetic Valvoline with an oil filter. In my other cars,(nonfiltered), i run 30w and change it every 500-600 miles. I'm about to put an aFordable filter on the almost new engine in my latest restoration. I think I'll go with the 20-50 synthetic and change it at 2000-3000 mile, or one year, intervals.

[Bruce Adams]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

And the 2011 Mustangs I've been looking at as well as ALL of the 2011 Ford Motor Co. line-up,,,Ford recommends 10,000 mile oil change intervals!!

Man, it sure has come a long way---

I'm sure some cheap skate tried that back in 'the day' wonder how long those engines lasted on that nasty 1930 era oil?

I go Mobil One Synthetic 5W30 every 700 miles or so in my Model A rebuilt HC engine that doesn't burn oil, and just "marks it Territory" a bit, and Mobil One 5W30 every 5,000 miles in my 2012 Mustang as per Mustang owners manual. I now am using my left over gallons of ROTELLA 15W40 in my boat's diesel, and am pleased how clean it always looks. The boat, also doesn't burn any oil between annual changes.

[Brobrian]

Originally Posted by roccaas

Non detergent 30 weight (pre 1963 oil). Added a bottle of Zinc additive at the last change. Change every 6 months.

Suppose we don't need any more opinions on this, but I do the same. I like the philosophy that if you change your oil often enough it really doesn't matter what you put in there (within reason). Each of my cars gets about 3k per year, so I change the oil every Christmas. I'm in SoCal, so winter temps never get that low.
What I don't like to do is clean that damn screen. PITA.
How often do you guys remove the screen and clean it?

[Tom Wesenberg]

If you use detergent oil you shouldn't have to clean the screen around the oil pump intake until it's time to take up babbit clearance, or rebuild the engine.

[Purdy Swoft]

I use Walmart 20W50 in all of mine. I used Havolene 30 weight high detergent in my 31 tudor for years until it got hard to find in my area.

[Mike V. Florida]

As one can see by the thread just about any oil that is designed for vehicles can be used successfully in the Model A, or AA.

[C26Pinelake]

20 w 50 plus a half a quart of Slick 50.
Wayne

[craig27]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

15w40 rotella has more zinc content than the others

Not that I have used it in a Model A but I really, really like Brad Penn oil!