Looking for lubricant replacement advice

4

4DForDor

Junior Member
Please refer to the attached PDF (40 FORD LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE CHART). I pulled the chart out of my DeLuxe Reference Book.

I believe the book is the original that came with the car that my Granddad purchased new. I’m the second owner. The book still has the 300 mile and 1,000 mile free inspection coupons in the back. I’m guessing the Ford garage will no longer honor those coupons.

I’m looking for some good solid advice for what might be available these days as far as equivalent lubricants for the ’40 that will not only provide adequate lubrication but also do no harm to the older seals and other sensitive components (e.g. yellow metals).

I appreciate you guys that offer up advice, but please do not reply with posts like: “I use this stuff and it works great.” That would not be helpful to me.

Here are the main lubricants that are listed on the chart that I am interested in finding currently available replacements for:

NOTE: The nomenclature used is what is listed on the Ford chart.

Pressure Gun Lubricant (probably translates to “chassis lube”) – Shown on the chart as being used anywhere there is a zerk fitting on a chassis component and the Drive Shaft Center Bearing.

Gear Oil (S.A.E. 90 and 140) – Shown for use in the Transmission.

Mild Extreme Pressure Gear Oil (S.A.E. 90 and 140) – Shown for use in the Differential and Steering Gear box.

Universal Joint Lubricant – Shown for use in the U-joint at the rear of the Transmission.

Ford Spring Lubricant (Ford Spec. M-4628) – Shown for use in the front and rear transverse leaf Springs.

Ford Wheel bearing Lubricant (Forde Spec, M-544) – Shown for use at the four Wheel Bearings.

Having been sensitized, or what some would call “ruined” or “totally messed up”, by my experience in the Navy Nuclear Power Program, and the commercial nuclear power industry, I believe in using “The “Right Stuff”. Please help me find “The Right Stuff”.

Thanks,

[FONT=&quot]4DForDor[/FONT]
 

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For starters, these recommendations were based on what was available at the time. There are better lubricants today. Some of the older specifications are no longer available and/or have been superseded or are somewhat difficult to come by. For transmissions and rear axles lubricants are currently rated by the GL number. The reason transmission requirements are different from a rear axle has to do with the components. EP (extreme pressure) additives do not play well to "yellow" metals, such a brass. So a transmission needs a mild EP lubricant such as GL-4 where as in the rear axle GL-5 is fine. You can also use GL-4 for both. If you look at the same chart you posted for 1941 model year Ford list Mild Extreme Pressure Gear Oil for the transmissions, Winter SAE 80/Summer SAE 90, this would be GL-4. With modern lubricates a multi-grade lubricate would be a better option IMO.


The Spring Lubricate is no grease and grease will make a mess out of the springs. As far as I know this is no longer available. You can make up some mixtures on your own, but a good modern option is Slip Plate.

The GL rated lubes can be used in the steering box, but is prone to leaking. Cornhead grease is what is used by a lot of people here on the Barn.

Engine oil, everyone has their favorite, but all modern oils are superior to oils in the 40s. A detergent oil has benefits as does multi-viscosity oil.

There are specific greases for wheel bearings because of the heat involved. You can purchase wheel bearing grease about anywhere. For any high temperature application you need the high temperature grease. For all other locations regular chassis grease is fine.
 

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Thanks for the quick reply. Can’t wait to hear more from other sources. It’s all good info to sort through and help me make choices. Who knew the subject would be so “slippery”.
 
Kendall 20w50 for engine, trans/rear axle use the 140 wt
tractor trans oil from tractor supply, GL1 or 2
use a 50/50 mixture of synthetic grease/synthetic trans fluid (75w90), mix up real good, use to pump into for u-joint cover and for steering box, synthetic grease for all fittings--does not harden
 
Look on YouTube under “metalshaper lubricants”. Metalshaper restores old Willys jeeps,etc. And has a line of lubricants for them which I think might work well in our old cars also Mike
 
I had seen that Metalshaper Lubricant video before. The guy has a few good bits of wisdom, but I was frustrated by the vagueness of his info. He cautions against buying lubricants from other suppliers because it might be counterfeit but offers up no specifications for his own products. I also was disturbed when I saw the open topped drum of grease that he scooped up a sample from to show the viewers and then dumped it back into the drum. Makes me wonder how uncontaminated the grease that I would buy from him would be. Also, I couldn't find a website that I could go to find out more about his products, just an invite to contact him with questions. Just sayin'.
 
4DForDor. Haven’t contacted him to see about specs,etc. No website as far as I know. He says to email him. Will contact him to see what he has when i’m Shopping. Just thot i’d throw it out there. Good luck. Mike
 
Why would you want to mess with this kind of stuff when there are well know reliable name brand sources of quality products. It's a mystery to me.
 
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