What motor oil do you recommend?

GreasyGeezer

GreasyGeezer

Junior Member
I'm new to this forum and new to Model A Fords. What's the best oil for a stock Model A engine?

weight?
single viscosity?
Non-detergent?
add zinc?
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
This is probably the most common question asked, do a search and you'll have more answers than you ever wanted on the topic.
Welcome to the forum!
-Tim
 
If you want the best oil to use go with a diesel grade oil. Diesel oils are better since a diesel is subjected to harder use and will generally with regular maintence last much longer than gas engines. Another reason is many Diesel engines used babbitt bearings well into the 70's and some still use babbitt cam bearings and thrusts. Any weight grade will work but I always recommend 20W40 for use in the south. Adjust it according to your region as you would any oil. Rotella or Delo are brand names but any oil that is diesel rated will work.
 
GreasyGeezer said:
I'm new to this forum and new to Model A Fords. What's the best oil for a stock Model A engine?

weight?
single viscosity?
Non-detergent?
add zinc?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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Any oil used in autos will work. Specific recomendations are personal choices. Any motor oil today is still better then the best 80+ years ago.
 
Mike V. Florida said:
Any oil used in autos will work. Specific recomendations are personal choices. Any motor oil today is still better then the best 80+ years ago.
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I agree with Mike.

Ford recommended 20 wt in winter and 40 wt in summer, so a 20-40 multiviscosity would make sense in that regard. Of course, your engine might have been rebuilt to different tolerances than original. Many folks have a bias against multi-viscosity oils and are very happy using straight 30 wt.

If you spend much Internet time on this subject, you're bound to get into the zinc additive quagmire. It might comfort you to realize that zinc was first added to oil long after Model A's came out, and that the problems with its removal only occurred with much higher performance engines.

Then, there's the non-detergent vs. detergent controversy. The detergent keeps crud from settling out, and conventional wisdom is that the settling out was a beneficial self-cleansing mechanism for non-detergent oil, together with the recommended 500 mile oil change interval. Some folks feel that detergent oil should only be used if you also use an oil filter to remove the suspended crud. Some folks fear that sudden switching to detergent oil will turn loose in the motor previously settled out crud.

To reiterate, I agree with Mike.

Steve
 
For years they ran fine on used oil---and I have changed my oil and put in used oil( when I am requested to change oil in a car that only has 100 miles on it and it even looks new I have trouble pouring it into the waste oil drum)

Short runs, no thermostat, not getting the oil hot with straight weight no detergent oil along with long times between driving is a good formula for creating acid and sludge

For new oil I like the diesel oils, they have additive package that is good for our use, better acid and particulate control than modern passenger car oils made for computer mixture control, roller lifters

The most important thing to remember is that Any oil is better than not enough oil.
 
How about going to a straight 40W or even 50W in an older engine. Will it give more of a cushion between worn bearings ?
 
Years ago I used 40 weight non detergent when I could find it. I now use Walmart 20W50 in my model A's I figure that the 50 weight is good .
 
The way it looks to me is, no matter what someone recommends, someone else condemns for one reason or another. Our '30 Tudor has used the same oil since 1978. No zddp. Runs clean and strong after 34 years. Mike's right.
 
All motor oil is better now, than the oil used when our A's were new. I change my oil once a year rather it needs it or not. 30w non-detergent valvoline.
 
Mitch//pa said:
where are you at in pa
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Media, Delaware County, about 15 miles from Philly.

Thanks to everyone who replied. The information you provided is very helpful.
I've had two Model A hot rods but I just acquired this amazing barn find '29 Sports Coupe that is way too nice to modify. I'm anxious to get it running and keep it as Henry made it. I just love Model A's.
Thanks again!
 

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If your a technically minded guy and like a good read then this article explains why certain oils are better than others, especially in flat tappet engines, and dispels a lot of the bunk about additives and detergent/non-detergent oils. http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Corvair_oil.pdf
He stops short of recommending a particular oil but gives several that would be the best choice for a flat tappet engine without the need for additional additives. It's a long read so if you don't want to read it I've compiled the list of the highest recommended. But keep in mind oil formulations change yearly so best to look at the label. You'd want an oil that is 10W-40 CH/?? or CI/?? for the best anti-wear protection.

Tom
 

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