See the "Microlon" thread. The use of zinc has been debated but found to be beneficial in classic and horiz. opposed cylinder engines. Shell Rotella used to have higher levels of zinc but the levels supposedly have been reduced and possibly due to the adverse effects on modern catalytic convertors. Suggest reading up on adding ethanol stabilizers to the modern fuels, another subject of debate affecting engine performance..
Engine Oil
- Thread starter Oldgearz
- Start date
See the "Microlon" thread. The use of zinc has been debated but found to be beneficial in classic and horiz. opposed cylinder engines. Shell Rotella used to have higher levels of zinc but the levels supposedly have been reduced and possibly due to the adverse effects on modern catalytic convertors. Suggest reading up on adding ethanol stabilizers to the modern fuels, another subject of debate affecting engine performance..
I have always had old air cooled Harleys(1936-80), old cars and I am an A&P aircraft mech. The best is Mobil One, any synthetic grade that is 30WT like 5W30. The old Harleys always produce a lot of sludge, using Mobil One eliminated built up sludge and always kept inside of engines clean, I like using a oil filter also. Mobil One is pretty slippery stuff and is really the gold standard in affordable engine oil.
NOT unless it is need of an overhaul. But, IMHO, any oil in 2021 is better than any oil in 1928-1931. Over talked. Fill it drive it, change it.
Jeff/Illinois
Well-known member
I was told some time back that WalMart brand motor oil was recycled oil from Mobil.
I don't use it myself but a buddy does and has for a number of years with good results in his everyday Pontiac driver. Car has about 200,000 miles he bought it new and it runs fine
Last edited:
Ak Sourdough
Senior Member
My dad's 29 was (is) in need of rings and leaks profusely. I drove it several times a summer for the past 15 years. A 30 mile round trip to town would require a half gallon of oil to top it back up. Didn't smoke visibly, but lots of crankcase vapor aroma inside especially on a hill until I made a road draft tube that went down beside the transmission to carry it away.
Anyway, I ran used oil in it for many years. We have what are called transfer sites where residential trash is deposited into dumpsters and the borough comes around to empty them. They also have a place for people to leave their used oil. I'd just open up the gallon jugs one at a time until I found one that had honey colored low mileage used oil in it and take it home for the Model A. That worked fine for me, I never considered buying new oil for a big consumer like that. Sold the car to a family friend that plans to fix the engine.
Also good for chainsaw bar oil. Can't see paying 15 bucks a gallon for saw bar oil that is total loss.
In summary, it is my opinion that for some uses, any oil is fine. In all cases, any oil is better than no oil.
Anyway, I ran used oil in it for many years. We have what are called transfer sites where residential trash is deposited into dumpsters and the borough comes around to empty them. They also have a place for people to leave their used oil. I'd just open up the gallon jugs one at a time until I found one that had honey colored low mileage used oil in it and take it home for the Model A. That worked fine for me, I never considered buying new oil for a big consumer like that. Sold the car to a family friend that plans to fix the engine.
Also good for chainsaw bar oil. Can't see paying 15 bucks a gallon for saw bar oil that is total loss.
In summary, it is my opinion that for some uses, any oil is fine. In all cases, any oil is better than no oil.
Jeff/Illinois
Well-known member
Yikes, I'd have had that engine overhauled real quick-like. 15 miles to a quart of oil?? That's pretty bad.
Ak Sourdough
Senior Member
A lot of it landed on the highway, maybe not a whole 1/2 gallon to top it off but close. No big deal when the oil is free and time is short. The car is no cream puff show rig, just an old car as it was in the 50's that still runs.
Gene F
Well-known member
Used to - that's the key word. I picked up my engine from my rebuilder, and he wants me to use Rotella 30, so that is what I put in it. I try and tell people all the time that Shell was finally asked to change the formula. You know how persuasive the government can be... In any event if it's so great, why did he give me a bottle of ZDP? I just ordered 2 more bottles of it from Snyders because I am going to soon change the oil again, and then once before laying the car up for winter.
Got this from the Top - 20-50 Castrol GTX with 1 qt. Lucas, then an extra quart of Marvel Mystery Oil. Damn, you have a concoction of amazing lubricants from top-to-bottom.
My 31 A (with Weber carb) screams down the highway at 65+ mph for 30 miles round trip here in rural Florida. A leak-less water-pump and a four blade fan make the set-up perform at speed and in idle traffic.
Terry NJ
Well-known member
I have read somewhere, that chain bar oil and 2 cycle oil is the cheapest and least refined oil there is. What the hell? I think of that each and every time I see Stihl oil in those cute little six packs! Wow, what a profit center!
Terry
Terry NJ
Well-known member
At the airport, we had to put a zinc additive into the crankcases of planes we had just changed oil in. This was AeroShell 50 Wt.
Terry
I was told some time back that WalMart brand motor oil was recycled oil from Mobil.
I don't use it myself but a buddy does and has for a number of years with good results in his everyday Pontiac driver. Car has about 200,000 miles he bought it new and it runs fine
Do you walk with a limp? Likely so, because someone was sure pulling your leg! "recycled oil from Mobil"?? WalMart sells a LOT of oil! Where is Mobil getting all this oil to recycle, anyway?
Bar oil may be less refined, but 2 stroke oil is highly refined. Back in the day we just used non-detergent 30W at a 16 to 1 ratio and always had serious carbon build up in the exhaust ports (and on the plug!). Now modern 2 stroke oils are refined and with additives to almost eliminate carbon deposits, plus they lubricate just fine 40:1, 50:1 or more gas/oil ratios.
Aarongriffey
Well-known member
In 1960 there was a cut rate gas station in St. Paul that sold reclaimed oil for 10 cents a Quart.
I knew of a few people that used it because they had leaky engines.
I knew of a few people that used it because they had leaky engines.
Mister Moose
Senior Member
There are 2 reasons oil needs to be changed: Dirt and thermal stress. Not sure how re-refined oil addresses the thermal changes, but I can't believe it's going to be as good.
On chainsaw bar oil, the real stuff is way more syrupy, stringy than motor oil. It will coat the chain and sprocket for longer and not sling off as readily. Can you use motor oil? Sure. I would expect faster bar wear though.
On chainsaw bar oil, the real stuff is way more syrupy, stringy than motor oil. It will coat the chain and sprocket for longer and not sling off as readily. Can you use motor oil? Sure. I would expect faster bar wear though.