Oil recommendations for my 21-stud

phartman

phartman

Senior Member
I'm running a 21-stud that has been freshened up. No oil filter, new oil pan, no sludge in the pan. My buddy says to run non-detergent oil and be diligent about keeping it changed. I'm skeptical and am leaning in favor of something like the Brad Penn. Not only is it an excellent oil, but also it has a big dose of zinc already in the oil.

Recommendations? Non-detergent or high detergent? What weight?

Thanks for the help here.

Pete
Richmond, VA
 
Like Brendan, I use Castrol 20-50 in all of our Flatheads '39-'53 V8's, V-12 and 337 c.i., and I've been using it for a long, long time.
 
Castrol 20/50 107,000 miles. Started using at brake in. No sludge and don't use any between changes. Also stays clean with the engine running at 175. G.M.
 
Are you fellas using any zinc additives? There is another thread that discusses that, but I'm curious here on my particular motor.
 
phman>>>I'm running a 21-stud that has been freshened up. No oil filter>>>

Same here, early '38. Modern HD 5w-20 synblend ~3K miles. No additives. Now using 5w-20 in all my 'freshened-up' antique toys as in the newer ones.

Jack E/NJ
 
I use Walmart oil for my 59AB,it has the zinc in it and at the time I started engine for first time it was one of the only oils I could find with zinc specified in it. I still have not found Castrol with zinc specs on it.
 

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20W50 Castrol when I can get it. Sometimes throw in a quart of MMO.
Have been doing this for more than 30 yrs, no problems. Use it in Model T, A, 6 cylinder, V8s and modern iron. Ran one modern non Ford brand 437,000 miles on Castrol, still ran good when I sold it. No MMO for it though.
 
Castrol 20-50 has lots of zinc approx 1200 ppm. have to watch the new 15/40 diesel oils as they are now getting less zinc because of converters in new truck exhaust. Laurie
 
LOL, your friend must like sludge in his engine if he insists on using non detergent, the only piece oof equipment i know that says use non detergent is air compressors, non detergent is 80 yr old technoligy, any cheap brand of oil is better than that, castrol, valvolene, havoline are all good oils, if the container has a round seal on it that says for "gasoline engines" dont use it, its formulated for modern engines with roller lifters and does not have zinc in it and will play havoc with a flat tappet cam
 
:D Yessir on the Castrol 20-50 thing . Have also used Valvoline 20-50 but it's harder to find here so Castrol is the normal choice and besides I think John Force is entertaining :D My 3.14 cents worth David J
 
37 Coupe said:
I use Walmart oil for my 59AB,it has the zinc in it and at the time I started engine for first time it was one of the only oils I could find with zinc specified in it. I still have not found Castrol with zinc specs on it.
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Walt Dupont who rebuilt my 59AB recomended the walmart brand as well. Usualy have a good deal in the auto department mem.day weekend. I'm getting a case;)
 
I use Rottella 40W with good results in a 1950 8BA low mileage 239 flattie F5 dump truck. no smoke and light comsumpton Its a dump truck that I use about 1-2 a month locally. Leaks more than it uses probably.
 
Hey Pete,Brad Penn[old Kendall,the GREEN stuff].Use it in my ALL original '37 Tudor and it's all i will use in my 540",800 hp big block '56 Chevy.It's good enough for Big Daddy Don Garlits it's good enough for me.diz
 
Ford1, that is an excellent tip about the "Formulated for gasoline engines" with the circle around it. Dead give away that the oil isn't for us flathead guys.
 
I wouldn't worry about having a lot of Zinc-Dialkyldithiophosphate additive on a stock flathead. The spring pressures aren't high enough to worry about it. Now on the overhead valve performance engines or flatheads with high spring pressures you have to worry about it.

Lubriplate is still formulating oils with the API SL concentrations of ZDDP and hopefully they will continue well into the future. I still have a few monkey motion motors around. Since oils outside of the current API ratings are condidered a niche market, It will be interesting to see what corporations will continue to formulate them in the future.

Kerby
 
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