Our Model K op manual calls for "non-fluid oil." Checking period magazines, Standard Oil had a product called non-fluid oil but no description (that I've found).
from manual:
I've worn out two rollers on our Model N, and would like to avoid excessive wear on the roller timers (K and N) in the future. Currently I squirt 30 wt oil in the timer oil holes. We drive both cars frequently in warm and cold weather, and I don't like the idea of grease or Vaseline because it seems to me it takes heat (friction) before these will lube the roller pin.
Thanks for any info or suggestions,
Rob
Probably lard or some other animal rendering like Crisco. Is molybdenum powder conductive? Hot wind can blow it away yet still leave a film...
Vaseline is what the Ford manual is calling for. Regular wheel bearing grease works fine too. You will never wear another roller out.
I use a Lubriplate product called MAG-00. It comes in a squeeze bottle and is white and gloppy. It's thin enough to go through a pump-type oil can, which I use to squirt it into my Cadillac's planetary transmission and my Model T's Anderson-style commutator.
Casual research on the internet confirms Royce's post.
Non-fluid oil is petroleum jelly or a mixture of petroleum jelly and mineral oil. It does not dry out or harden over time and, unlike cup grease or bearing grease, it does not contain thickeners like soap, clay or fibres, etc.
There were different grades of non-fluid oil.
(If you like tinkering with mechanical antiques, you'll know that Vaseline was a common lubricant. For example, the lubrication diagrams for Victor Victrolas mention Vaseline.)
Vaseline gets runny when warm. Modern red grease per Royce might be a better choice.
Thanks guys. My concern is that any lube used is fluid enough to flow to the roller pin before heat (friction) occurs. I'll try a few of different things. Fortunately the timer on the K is easily accessible so I can clean, check and change any lube I try,
Rob
I have seen "Non Fluid" recommended for use in differentials. Probably similar to 600W or slightly thicker.
There is a product called Cornhead Thixotropic grease. It is semi-fluid when in its static state.
www.frontieraginc.com/Energy/Lubricants/Grease/CornHeadGrease.pdf
We pumped this into the knuckles of of my son's WW2 military truck a few years ago to stop the weep past the rawhide seals. So far it has solved the problem!