Hello T Forum - I am a new, novice owner of a 1919 T. I have never changed the oil and intend to do so before storing the T for the winter (here in western NY). I reviewed two different service manuals and the most detail I could get for the specifics of changing oil was "Drain oil. Refill with 1 gallon of oil." In the attached 2 pics you'll see where I believe the drain bolt and fill area (under breather cap) are. My questions are...1) Do I have these locations correct? 2) What oil does the Forum recommend? 3) Any tips or hints that I need to know to successfully change the oil? Thanks for your help. Brian
Question 1, yes you are correct.
Question 2, use what you'd use in any other car, else there will be a long thread coming
Question 3, there are two brass valves on the backside of the pan, they give an idea of how much oil is in the pan. You open them. If oil doesn't come out of the bottom valve, you need more oil, now. I generally make sure oil just drip out of the top valve. AND, check your oil every time you drive. Fords like to leak oil and the level will drop. Mike
Welcome Brian
Oil changing will become easy after the first time! You have the right spots! Ford recommends changing every 500-750 miles. A good oil, detergent, 10w-30w is in my T's.
Here is an older post with lots of info.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/148075.html?1278013112
The only thing I would add is to leave the top petcock open for a bit to give the oil in the pan time to drain and reach the full level. i was in a hurry once and overfilled the motor with oil. It ran like crap, smoked a lot and almost gave me a heart attack
Brian -- And if you like, you can add 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil at the same time. There's lots of advice here on the forum about that!
Mike -If you decide to follow Brian's advice don't forget to stand on your left leg and place your right index finger in your left nostril while adding the MMO.
It will also help to chant "Royce made me do it." 3 times before adding the oil and 2 times after
Add 4 ounces of gasoline to your oil. That will accomplish the same thing as MMO.
Brian,
I emailed you. I (along with many others who are far more "T" savvy than I) are within a few miles of you. You'll get used to the wonderful sense of humor that abounds on the forum. You have come to the right place though. These folks are always ready to give advice and in some instances lend a hand.
Welcome to the "Affliction"!
Patrick
Brian -- RV Anderson is one of the most knowledgeable Model T guys around, and he's in Kennedy, NY. I don't know how far that is from Victor, but you probably do.
From the 1917 Dykes Model T Ford manual. Note that the proper substance to pour in the crankcase is motor oil, one gallon. Nothing else.
I haven't seen Gargoyle Mobil Oil "E" for sale in a looong time. Mike
Of cause it depends on how you interpret the meaning of 'LIGHT OIL'
From an oil manufacture.
Mobil "E" Arctic Light grade motor oil oil was equal to approximately SAE 20. SAE 30 would be considered Medium - Heavy. During the 1930's oil cans typically had both designations as there were more people used to the light / medium / heavy designations of the 1910 - 30 era.
Here's an example of the SAE 30 Medium Heavy marking on a Sinclair can.
Obviously, this shows that SAE 30 is thicker oil than Ford intended.
Many companies sold oil in cans marked "for Model T Ford" and "Light Grade" and "SAE 20".