Engine Oil

Al 29Tudor

Al 29Tudor

Well-known member
What kind engine oil is best for the model "A"? I've read that the latest oil formulations have less zinc which is needed for wear resistance. It is reduced or removed because of catalytic converters in cars. Also I've read that diesel oil has more zinc in it that older cars need and can use because of not having catalytic converters. I'm thinking of using a non-detergent diesel oil. :confused:
 
If there are 10,000 members of the Ford Barn here, you are going to get 15,000 opinions.
 
Good luck finding a non-detergent diesel oil. I haven't seen any in years. Model A's don't need zinc, but do need a heavier oil than the modern fuel saving oils cars run these days. 15w40 or a synthetic 20w50 will work for your needs.
 
I use Rotela 15w40 in my A, my motorcylce and my Diesel truck. Never an oil releated problem in any of them.
 
use any major brand 20-50 motor oil, and i wouldnt use non detergent oil on my grand dauthers tri cycle
 
Georgew48 said:
I use Rotela 15w40 in my A, my motorcylce and my Diesel truck. Never an oil releated problem in any of them.
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Agreed.

Rotella's a good product.

And, yes, you'll probably get 15,000 opinions. This topic has been thrashed about for years on this site and its predecessor.

I wonder, though, can ANYONE cite personal experience with oil-related engine damage/failure?
 
If you're following the original service recommendations (500 mile change) you could probably run vegetable oil and be all right. JMO
Paul in CT
 
I have been using Shell Rotella "T" 15-40 in all of my cars since 1980. It been has used in over highway truck diesel engines for over 30 years and stands up to the high injection cam pressures that are super high compared to the flat tappet surface in the "A" engine. Also any of the oils of today is superior to any oil that was available in the 20's and 30's.
 
Mike V. Florida said:
The slippery kind:o
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Interesting that you say that, Mike,
This is not very scientific, but, I tend to "evaluate" oils by rubbing it between my thumb & forefinger with increasing pressure to "feel" it's slickerishness & "body"------?? Castrol always seemed to have a good "feel" to me. Bill W.
 
Question for me is "Non detergent or detergent" ???? The guy I bought it from said non-detergent and has not changed the oil more than once in five years, maybe that's why my engine has a knock - suppose to be every 500 miles ???
 
billybronco1 said:
Question for me is "Non detergent or detergent" ???? The guy I bought it from said non-detergent and has not changed the oil more than once in five years, maybe that's why my engine has a knock - suppose to be every 500 miles ???
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Non-detergent is only for chain saws and air compressors.

Always use detergent and change it regularly.:)
 
Oh! this is an old thread. Someone asked for reports on engine damage from wrong/wrong weight/cheap/non-detergent/etc! Would anybody in their right mind ADMIT a goof up like that???? I WOULDN'T!!! Bill W.
 
Likely not a popular answer but I use Quaker Stae High Mileage Oil plus a half a litre of slick 50 in evry second change. The change in between I put in a can of SeaFoam. Al
 
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