What viscosity motor oil is recommended?

Kube

Kube

Super Moderator
Staff member
Stock '31 engine that runs well; never rebuilt.

What viscosity motor oil are you guys running in similar engines?

Thanks.
 
Yeah, I tried to keep this a very simple query. I made a point to NOT ask oil type, etc.
Just viscosity.
I am a tad surprised there have been no responses.
 
Pick a number between about 10 and 60. I used to run 20W50 but I have now started using 15W40. Too many Model A owners do what I did - use an oil that is too thick. The more oil that flows through the bearings, the better. Thin oil will do that and therefore keep them cool and that is the whole purpose of the oil in an engine. The fact that it is slippery helps reduce the generation of heat and that helps but basically, oil does the same as the coolant in your radiator. Would you use treacle in there?
 
10W-30 on a stock engine that is in good shape. Higher viscosity on worn engines and pressure lubricated engines. Use a multi grade detergent oil.
 
Kube, I'll be the first to be thrown under the bus!

Most agree the Model A engine was born with a poor quality non-detergent 30wt. oil in her veins. That's about all that was available for production cars back then. Without knowing the condition of your engine, you have nothing to lose by using the modern counterpart which is a 30wt. detergent oil, at least until you run it and find out if it's a good engine or not. The modern engine oils are FAR superior to anything available when the Model A was new. As we all know, if the engine has a rattle or knock even the best oil on the market won't help resolve the problems of a worn engine. I have used the 30wt. oil from Tractor Supply or Atwood's with great results and it's inexpensive too.

*A word of caution...if you haven't run the engine previously or don't know if it's been run in a while, it is recommended before start-up to remove the distributor and pour a couple of quarts down the distributor hole and the rest into the crankcase just to make sure everything that moves gets a fighting chance at survival!

Let the arguments begin! :D

Good Luck! :)
 
I'd like to thank the few guys that actually responded to my question. Thank you, men!

It appears 10w/30 it shall be.
 
Kube, you're lucky this was all the response you got! Couple of years ago I asked synthetic or no? I thought I had started the next war!
 
My cousin in Tasmania had a VW beach buggy with a rope start.

It ran fine on used sump oil from the local servo.
Main thing was not to use Venetian blind cord when starting. It was like a cat of nine tails.
 
One summer I ran 35 weight oil. That's two quarts of 30 and two quarts of 40. Just dump it in, the car will love it!
Marty
 
Kube said:
Yeah, I tried to keep this a very simple query. I made a point to NOT ask oil type, etc.
Just viscosity.
I am a tad surprised there have been no responses.
Click to expand...

Lighter weight in colder temperatures, heavier weight in warmer temperatures.
One 20 below zero Sunday morning the families modern’s would not start, my A cranked O so slow but fired up, dad and I drove the A to get new batteries for the modern’s . I probably had 10w-30 or 10w-40 in the A, that was before 5w- xx oils, 0w-xx oil
Your in Wisconsin you should have already known the answer to your question , the second number in multiple grade oil is the hot weight of the oil
 
Big hammer said:
Lighter weight in colder temperatures, heavier weight in warmer temperatures.
One 20 below zero Sunday morning the families modern’s would not start, my A cranked O so slow but fired up, dad and I drove the A to get new batteries for the modern’s . I probably had 10w-30 or 10w-40 in the A, that was before 5w- xx oils, 0w-xx oil
Your in Wisconsin you should have already known the answer to your question , the second number in multiple grade oil is the hot weight of the oil
Click to expand...

Gee, thanks for the lesson in oil.
 
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