Engine oil, Regular vs Non detergent

jboggess

jboggess

Senior Member
Im sure this has been discussed many times, but who runs regular 30 weight in there engine? Any problems? I only run non detergent in mine because i hear the regular oil can damage the magneto.
 
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10-30 or 10-40 detergent oil and change often, even an old engine. Any oil with graphite will short out the magneto but not damage it. Some oils and additives are too "slick" for the type of clutch and bands the Model T uses.
I consider detergent oil to be "regular" oil. The non-detergent oil and anti-freeze leaking more are just old stories. :)
 
You shouldn't hesitate to use a good detergent motor oil, i.e. 10W-30 in your car. Many years ago, I read a thoughtful article in the Vintage Ford magazine on this very subject. The conclusion was that if detergent motor oil was available to Ford, that's what he'd use.
Rog
 
30 Wt Non Detergent. Dergent oil is designed to suspend particulates until the oil runs through the filter where it is removed. It makes no sense to me to run the dirty oil back through the bearings when there is no filter to remove the contaminants. Non detergent oil let's the particulates settle out in the pan when the car is parked. That was the theory until manufacturers started pumping the oil through filters. To each his own.
 
With detergent or non-detergent oil, because of the oil system in a Model T, the flywheel is going to keep the oil stirred up. A Model T does not have a conventional pan that the nasty stuff can settle out into except a small cup at the low point in the pan under the flywheel. Some of the larger bit can drop in to it and it has a shield that will help keep them in place and you might find some in the rod dipper trays.
 
I use the cheapest 5W-30 that I can find in all of my T's. Thick oil is not better.

You should get a screen to install under the transmission inspection door. It will catch all the particles big enough to clog anything. Mostly it is catching band material that circulates in the oil.

Like this one:
1993l.jpg
 
redmodelt said:
10-30 or 10-40 detergent oil and change often, even an old engine. Any oil with graphite will short out the magneto but not damage it. Some oils and additives are too "slick" for the type of clutch and bands the Model T uses.
I consider detergent oil to be "regular" oil. The non-detergent oil and anti-freeze leaking more are just old stories. :)
Click to expand...

I totally agree! I use 10w40. Wayne
 
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