Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
Oil weight choice.
-- page:
1
2
|
|
windjamer |
12-09-2020 @ 10:17 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Nov 2009
|
I run Valvoline 20W50 racing oil.. It has the Zink you engine needs and the detergent to keep the valves from sticking. I also add Marvel Mystery oil for no other reason than it is a Flat Head!
|
FordHead |
12-05-2020 @ 5:30 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 13
Joined: Nov 2020
|
Previous owner was using full synthetic 10w-30 on my 36 but I did not like the engine sound (ticking) and oil pressure. I switched to 10w-40 and a can of STP. Motor sounds much better once hot and oil pressure increased 8-10 pounds when hot or cold. I plan on trying 20w-50 next oil change.
1936 Ford
|
carcrazy |
12-03-2020 @ 11:43 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1655
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Use a good SAE 30 weight detergent oil such as Pennzoil. The oils currently available, with the API Service SN designation, unfortunately do not have the required amount of ZDDP to minimize cam lobe and tappet wear. To provide the required amount of ZDDP use Red Line Engine Oil Break-In Additive and follow the directions on the label. While the SAE 30 will make the car harder to start on cold days, it will cut down on oil leakage and usage. Multi-weight and synthetic oils seem to find more leakage paths in the older, non-rebuilt engines.
|
TomO |
12-03-2020 @ 7:26 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7252
Joined: Oct 2009
|
You might try a full synthetic like Mobil 1 10w-30 in your engine. My Lincoln always had an intermittent miss that cleared up after driving for a while. I switched to Mobile 1 and after driving 500 miles, the miss is gone and the engine seems to have a lot more power. When I can drive my 40 more, I intend to try the Mobil 1 in it.
Tom
|
kubes40 |
12-03-2020 @ 6:54 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 3396
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Kendall 20w50 and MMO x2
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
|
flatheadron |
12-03-2020 @ 6:45 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 5
Joined: May 2012
|
I use synthetic 10W30 oil in all my flatheads. Find one the is rated for older engines and that says it contains the zinc additive. Stay away from newer "SN" rated oils. Good flow on cold starts and good protection at high temps. I live in Michigan so weather is similar to yours. Have used this for 15 years now with no problems. Since a lot of members use Marvel Mystery Oil, I would suggest you try adding some to the gas to see if it will help free up that sticking valve. I used to know a guy back in the late '60's who sold MMO. He drove a '53 Merc as his daily transportation that a had a MMO kit on it that injected MMO into the intake. As a selling tool he would remove a spark plug to show the internal cylinder. They were as clean as if you had removed the head and physically cleaned the chambers. The stuff just might work. Would not take much to rig up a similar system using a jar, hose, vacuum fitting, and a carb jet. Might take some time to find the right size jet but it is worth a try.
|
supereal |
11-19-2020 @ 9:49 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
It is more than likely that your sticky valve will not be fixed by time and new oil . If you haven't already done a compression test to determine the affected cylinder(s), it should be done before anything else. To get access to the valve train, remove the intake manifold. Check the valve and spring for a buildup of deposits. Some times prying the valve stem up and down will free it up. be sure that the valve is in the closed position so it won't come in contact with the cylinder head as you pry. If you find the usual buildup of sludge in the bottom of the valve chamber, try to wipe as much as possible, but don't use solvent.
|
Gary M. |
11-14-2020 @ 1:36 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 218
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Thanks again guys for all your advice. Hopefully my sticky valve will loosen up and the car will run young again !! Thanks, Gary ....
|
sarahcecelia |
11-14-2020 @ 5:27 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1190
Joined: Mar 2013
|
I believe that the "BASE" of Marvel Mystery Oil" is Automatic Transmission fluid. Ford " back in the day" used oil with ZINC in it To protect the camshaft lobes,and tappets. "All OIL" in that time had ZINC in it, but later the EPA made the oil companies take it out! Now "Valvoline 20/50 Racing oil" has ZINK in it, and I highly recommend using that in your "Flat Tappet"/camshaft car! The Zinc cushions and Protects the cam lobes and tappets!Any Flat Head motor guy "Worth his Salt" knows this. I once talked to Harold "Putt" Smith, (the Flathead Guru) about this very subject, and he agreed whole heartedly with what I said about oil with zinc for Flat Heads!!; and nobody knew more about them than he did!!He built his first flathead(for the neighbor acrross the street) when he was 12 years old!!!
Regards, Steve Lee
|
alanwoodieman |
11-14-2020 @ 5:14 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 868
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Kendall 20w50 and MMO
|