Stupid, ... or Smart?

BillCNC

BillCNC

Well-known member
Hey All,

I change my Model A oil on schedule per 500 miles. The oil still is transparent, but tinted and only a couple of months old. These engines don't have any high pressure contact, so the wear additives are barely used which makes me want to reuse my Model A oil in my moden car, well, not so modern 1997 Geo Metro. I believe the used Model A oil is still viable and only has some small suspended particles which gives it the tint. The Geo's oil filter he will remove any suspended particles on the first pass through the filter.

Does anyone else reuse their Model A oil, or am I being stupid by doing so?

Regards
​​​​​​​Bill
 
I'm think I'm more opt to put the old ol from the metro in my A'. I do use new oil. But reclaimed oil was common place in decades past,at least to my understanding
 
You could have it analyzed. Probably about $40. One-time investment to see if it's still useable.
 
I wouldn't be afraid to use 500 mile oil in an older modern car. Remember that Ford recommended oil changes were back when roads were mainly dirt and oil was still fairly primitive. Your filter will clean it up anyway.
 
I think it depends on how your Model A is running. The Model A engine, not being very efficient, a lot of unburned gas may end up in the oil. Also, if your engine is not running warm enough, acids and water from the combustion process may end up in your oil. Just some things to ponder.

Harpkatt said:
Reclaimed oil was common place in decades past,at least to my understanding
Click to expand...

Reclaimed oil was not just removed from one engine and put in another. It went thru a process where it is dehydrated and re-refined and new additives are added before re-using it in an engine.
 
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My father would buy penny a quart drain oil for his A during the war and after. .service stations kept the oil drained from regularly serviced cars and sold it...penny a quart. He poured it in a model A he bought for 5 bucks and ran it till it died.For him it was a good deal.
 
I'm sure there are specs for the oil for the Metro just like there are for the Ford. We don't know what was in the Ford. BUT, I don't reuse oil. At least I don't reuse it in another engine. JMO which is worth just what you paid for it. [ smiley face]
 
My Grandmother used the old car oil on her fence boards and tool handles, never letting anything go to waste!
 
Worked a a gas station years ago that had both used and reconditioned oil .It was sold out of the now collectible glass quart bottle with funnel type lid on it at the station. If I remember right the red painted tops were the reconditioned oil , unpainted used bulk oil.The original Ford 500 mile change was in accordance to road conditions of that time, lot of dirt and gravel dust . The 32 and up went to 1000 miles, with better road conditions could go to the 1000 miles change,or use Kendall oil they advertised 2000 mile change at the time .
 
I have a full flow oil filter on my car and use good quality oil. I don't change the oil until it gets dark. The filter traps a lot of stuff. If you open up the filter you can see the stuff that it traps. I have a thermostat and make sure the engine is well warmed up before shutting it down so I never see any water vapor or condensation in my engine.

500 miles between oil changes was in 1930. Today, oils are formulated for extended service. And the oil will keep very small particles that do not harm the engine in suspension. That is what turns it dark.

Do not pour engine oil on the road. It will pollute the environment. The oil used for oiling roads is like tar and will remain in place.
 
I use 20-50 oil and change at 3000 miles
If I changed at 500 miles on my 40 state trip around the country I would have had to change every other day.

Those of you that only drive to the 7/11 on Saturday or around the park with the grand kids probably don't put 500 miles on your car in 2 years so go for it.
Richard
Anaheim CA
 
Years ago, when we used "reclaimed" oil, the reclaimed oil was left to sit for a few weeks or more. That way the contaminents in the oil would settle out and the oil would be clean. Once they started putting detergents in the oil the contaminents refused to settle out and that process went out the window.
 
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