MTFCA Forum

I have an original Ruckstell book in front of me, and it says to use Gargoyle Mobiloil "C". Does anyone know the modern equivalent of this is? No guesses allowed!

Look on Tbay for some interesting formulas and containers…..

Chaffin's sells a 140 WT gear lube for the Ruxtell axle. Gargoyle Mobiloil C as sold in the T era was a gear lube.

If someone more acquainted with lubrication language wants to read through these discussions of the AACA Forum and sipmlify them into terms most of us would understand there may be some answers to Larry's question. It may be beneficial to all of us but it's all grease, I mean Greek, to me. They did mention Mobiloil C (grease gun) at the beginning.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=03542f99 ... bXMv&ntb=1
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/index.php ... &Itemid=55

From a 2007 "my tractor forum" thread, take it for what it's worth.

"Gargoyle "C" that is used in transmissions is still being produced, it is a high performance naphthenic mineral oil primarily intended for use in refrigeration compressors. This makes sense because the Ford N's use a naphthenic mineral oil for their transmission."

Gargoyle C is still listed on the Mobil website, you could try asking them if it is still the same formulation as it was in Model T Ford days.

https://www.mobil.com/en-se/industrial/ ... rctic-oils

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 07, 2022 7:29 pm

From a 2007 "my tractor forum" thread, take it for what it's worth.

"Gargoyle "C" that is used in transmissions is still being produced, it is a high performance naphthenic mineral oil primarily intended for use in refrigeration compressors. This makes sense because the Ford N's use a naphthenic mineral oil for their transmission."

Gargoyle C is still listed on the Mobil website, you could try asking them if it is still the same formulation as it was in Model T Ford days.

https://www.mobil.com/en-se/industrial/ ... rctic-oils

There are several discussions in MTFCA, MAFCA & AACA about Mobil Gargoyle C not being the same a Mobil Gargoyle Arctic C
Mobil Gargoyle Arctic C is ISO Viscosity grade 46 High performance naphthenic mineral oil primarily intended for use in refrigeration compressors. It has a low pour point and excellent fluidity at very low temperatures by virtue of being almost wax-free. Consequently, use of Gargoyle Arctic Oil ensures that evaporator tubes are kept clean to improve heat transfer and to reduce downtime for maintenance. It has a high degree of chemical stability and is suitable both for cylinder and bearing lubrication in all conventional refrigeration compressors and for all other machinery operating at sub-zero temperatures.

Well, I went ahead and sent Exxon Mobil a question via their website, asking whether the formulation has changed, I'll let everyone know if I get a response. Like Larry said, why guess when you can ask the source?

Any answer to this from Mobil?

Nope, sorry.

From the Seagrave Fire Apparatus Collectors forum (about a decade ago):

I received the email below from a relative helping to restore an antique fire truck. Our fire department is restoring a 1923 Seagrave pumping engine. It is powered by a 6-cylinder, "T" head gas engine displacing 1720 c.i. We have found a copy of the lubrication manual from that era. It was prepared by the Vacuum Oil Co. of New York in collaboration with Seagrave. They recommend "Gargoyle Mobiloil" grades A, B & C for the various driveline components. Could you provide the current equivalents to these lubricants? Any direction or information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Monessen VFD #1 In my research Type C is the currently available 600W, however an equivalent to Type A and B eludes me. I know Type A is recommended for winter use and B for summer. The engine has been completely rebuilt so sludge will not be an issue. The flat tappet design may be an issue with new oils with reduced ZDDP. I contacted TechSupport at ExxonMobil with no results. I was thinking of Rotella 15w-40 with a break-in additive. Opinions and data would be appreciated. Thanks

The Seagrave engine would have originally used a non-detergent, non-ZDP oil, probably 20W equivalent at low temperatures, and 30W equivalent in moderate temperatures, and 40W equivalent in hot temperatures.

The 15W40 should do a fine job, with or without any additives, under any likely operating conditions.

I don't know what they put in the gearboxes, but all old trucks I have ever messed with had a heavy, dark gear oil in the transmission and axles.

One big problem today with engine lubrication in something like the Seagrave is the fact that such vehicles are usually not run much, and then only for parade or display duty. That's very severe service, in that the engine probably never gets fully warmed up and run long enough under load to drive normal moisture and other combustion residue out of the crankcase. Ideally, the vehicle would be taken out on the road and run for half an hour or more at speeds up to 30-35 MPH at least 3 or 4 times a year, preferabley in warmer weather.

Searched the internet but couldn't find specific information so resorted to getting images of Original containers (Vacuum Oil Co) whenever possible. Some indicated viscosity

I mentioned the Seagrave because it was talking about DRIVE LINE components (of which there were a lot of on those trucks), NOT motor oil. Their group did the research, and found Gargoyl C to be - wait for it - whatis being sold as 600W. (sound familiar?), 600W cylinder oil has an actual viscosity equivalent of 275. If Ruckstell says use Gargoyl C...

My personal experience with Ruckstells is when you put something thin in them (85-140 or 90W) they shift hard and are noisy. When I put "that evil thick forbidden fruit juice" of "600W" in it, it quieted down and shifted smoothly. YMMV, and do as you think you want, I'm just going by what worked for me...

The only transmission I've EVER seen 20 wt oil (20W20) in was my Mercedes Diesel (specified in the manual) with 4 on the tree. The kid at Jippylube decided it was "too thin" and changed it on his own initiative to 90W. That gearbox lasted 500 miles past that and died a miserable death.

IDK what you should use for oil in your water pump, however...