Engine oil
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Jim Byrne
Topic author - Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2025 8:52 pm
- First Name: Jim
- Last Name: Byrne
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 model t
- Location: Kingman, Az.
Engine oil
I am a new 1917 T owner and want to know what the best choices are for engine oil and coolent
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speedytinc
- Posts: 4914
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Engine oil
My preferences.
Valvoline racing 30 wt. Any good detergent 30 wt will do.
Water soluble oil for the radiator in distilled water. Sold @ auto parts stores as "anti rust & water pump lube."
Buckle up. Many opinions coming.
Valvoline racing 30 wt. Any good detergent 30 wt will do.
Water soluble oil for the radiator in distilled water. Sold @ auto parts stores as "anti rust & water pump lube."
Buckle up. Many opinions coming.
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TXGOAT2
- Posts: 7780
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Engine oil
Ford recommended what amounts to 20W, but what did they know about Model Ts?
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Humblej
- Posts: 2014
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:23 pm
- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Humble
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, 1924 runabout
- Location: Charlevoix, Mi
- Board Member Since: 2006
Re: Engine oil
10w 30 oil and 50/50 conventional coolant.
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big2bird
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:57 pm
- First Name: Jeffrey
- Last Name: Hausey
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Early 23 Touring
- Location: Anaheim, Ca.
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Engine oil
This^^^^^^^speedytinc wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 11:22 amMy preferences.
Valvoline racing 30 wt. Any good detergent 30 wt will do.
Water soluble oil for the radiator in distilled water. Sold @ auto parts stores as "anti rust & water pump lube."
Buckle up. Many opinions coming.
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Charlie B in N.J.
- Posts: 762
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:40 am
- First Name: CHARLIE
- Last Name: BRANCA
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: "27 Tudor / "23 Touring
- Location: Brick N.J.
- Board Member Since: 2010
Re: Engine oil
As stated: 10W 30 oil and 50/50 coolant. Don’t bother with non detergent 30W. Gets too heavy in winter. Experience talking here.
Forget everything you thought you knew.
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John kuehn
- Posts: 4505
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
Re: Engine oil
Save your money and go to Wal Mart, Auto Zone, Oriellys and buy their store brand 10w30, or 10w20 HD oil. It’s much better than oil Ford ever put in Model T’s.
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love2T's
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2024 8:47 am
- First Name: T
- Last Name: Gates
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Touring, 1926 Fordor
- Location: USA
- Board Member Since: 2019
Re: Engine oil
John, Menards (we pronounce it "MAYnerds ha ha) actually has Rotella 10w30 usually for LESS than the "off brands" at auto stores. You can't beat the quality of Rotella. And if you're concerned about zinc and phosphorous it's still got the highest levels "allowed".John kuehn wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 3:07 pmSave your money and go to Wal Mart, Auto Zone, Oriellys and buy their store brand 10w30, or 10w20 HD oil. It’s much better than oil Ford ever put in Model T’s.
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Jack Putnam, in Ohio
- Posts: 482
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:19 pm
- First Name: Jack
- Last Name: Putnam
- Location: Bluffton, Ohio
Re: Engine oil
But whatever detergent oil that is on sale, it will be better than what was available a 100 years ago.