Oil

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Myxr6turbo
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:40 am
First Name: Shawn
Last Name: Barnard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 coupe
Location: Australia, Victoria

Oil

Post by Myxr6turbo » Thu Aug 18, 2022 12:52 am

I know its probably been asked a million times, but what oil do I put in a 1926 Model T? The engine is all original except for the valves. Can I use oil from my local auto shop?

Thanks,


Norman Kling
Posts: 4068
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: Oil

Post by Norman Kling » Thu Aug 18, 2022 1:03 am

You are right. It has as many opinions as there are Model T's :lol: I use Valvoline non detergent 10W30 from Walmart. I change about every 600 miles and clean the screen above the transmission.
Especially if you don't know what type oil was used since the last time the engine was out and block and crankcase cleaned out, you might even change it more often because you might be dissolving old sludge from the engine. There is no pressurized oil system nor filter except for the after market screen over the transmission so all sludge and band debris will circulate with the oil. That is the reason for frequent changes. Because of this reason, it is a waste of money to use synthetic oil, which has been designed for long intervals between changes in modern full flow filters.
Norm

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Oil

Post by Steve Jelf » Thu Aug 18, 2022 1:04 am

Yes, it's an eternal question, but you have to ask if you don't know. :)

https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG103.html
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Topic author
Myxr6turbo
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:40 am
First Name: Shawn
Last Name: Barnard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 coupe
Location: Australia, Victoria

Re: Oil

Post by Myxr6turbo » Thu Aug 18, 2022 1:46 am

That was a good read.

I pulled the engine down and cleaned everything so all good there.

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Oil

Post by TRDxB2 » Thu Aug 18, 2022 1:48 am

Its best to google it to see all the past opinions, reasoning for this or that and other things to do if you haven't or don't know when the oil was last changed. Use the Forum as a book
search using this oil mtfca.com
or https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... =oil+mtfca
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger


Topic author
Myxr6turbo
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:40 am
First Name: Shawn
Last Name: Barnard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 coupe
Location: Australia, Victoria

Re: Oil

Post by Myxr6turbo » Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:45 am

I found this chart so I think 10W30 for Australian conditions should be fine. :roll:

https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/download/file. ... &mode=view


Kerry
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: van Ekeren
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
Location: Rosedale Vic Australia

Re: Oil

Post by Kerry » Thu Aug 18, 2022 5:35 am

Shawn, most of the time that Autobarn, Super cheap or Repco have oil on special It's 15-30 or 15-40 that's perfect for a T in Australia for a good condition engine. Summer time can even use 20-50 and change the oil often.


Topic author
Myxr6turbo
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:40 am
First Name: Shawn
Last Name: Barnard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 coupe
Location: Australia, Victoria

Re: Oil

Post by Myxr6turbo » Thu Aug 18, 2022 5:59 am

Just saw autobarn have 25% off. Does it matter if it's full synthetic?


Kerry
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: van Ekeren
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
Location: Rosedale Vic Australia

Re: Oil

Post by Kerry » Thu Aug 18, 2022 6:34 am

Myself I don't use synthetic in a T for the reason that it has additives to reduce internal friction for which the T clutch pack works on friction to operate correctly and I think you will find it's not recommended for wet clutch motor cycles as well.


Alan Long
Posts: 381
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:33 am
First Name: Alan
Last Name: Long
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 Canadian Touring Car and 1926 Australian built Utility
Location: Western Australia

Re: Oil

Post by Alan Long » Thu Aug 18, 2022 6:44 am

I use Valvoline XLD 20/50 in our 3 Model T’s, Summer and Winter. I change it every 6 months, clean the transmission filter
and service the Roller Timer at the same time. Oil is cheap!
Alan In Western Australia


Topic author
Myxr6turbo
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:40 am
First Name: Shawn
Last Name: Barnard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 coupe
Location: Australia, Victoria

Re: Oil

Post by Myxr6turbo » Thu Aug 18, 2022 7:00 am

I did a quick google. Who would have thought. Bunnings

https://www.bunnings.com.au/valvoline-5 ... l_p0066162


TXGOAT2
Posts: 6411
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
MTFCA Number: 51486
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Oil

Post by TXGOAT2 » Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:12 am

I run 10W30 full synthetic in my car with excellent results. I have Kevlar bands and a transmission cover strainer and magnet. I change the oil at 1500 to 2000 miles. I drive the car on mostly rural highways at 35 to 45 MPH in 70 F to 105 F weather. I do have an air filter.


John Codman
Posts: 1181
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:27 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Codman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
Location: Naples, FL 34120

Re: Oil

Post by John Codman » Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:52 am

I use the same 10W30 Rotella in my T as I do in my large-V8 hot rod. I use Rotella because it still has 1,200 parts per million of zinc. The zinc is not important to the T, but it is for the V8 with a bit of a performance cam and stiffer-then-stock valve springs. Since I keep the Rotella in stock, I might as well use it in the T. I use synthetic in just about everything else - including my John Deere garden tractor.

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Oil

Post by TRDxB2 » Thu Aug 18, 2022 3:06 pm

Myxr6turbo wrote:
Thu Aug 18, 2022 12:52 am
I know its probably been asked a million times, but what oil do I put in a 1926 Model T? The engine is all original except for the valves. Can I use oil from my local auto shop?

Thanks,
Yes, almost all places that sell engine oil will have what's appropriate. The oil is used to lubricate both the engine and transmission. Multi-viscosity oil is a best choice and the range of values is dependent on the ambient temperature you'll be driving in. Since the Model T has no oil filter, the service manual recommends oil changes every 500 miles regardless of the quality of oil. Some run longer intervals but that's their choice. Detergent vs non-detergent oil isn't really worthy of discussion if the oil is changed per the recommended interval. The oil should never contain any additive that is magnetic if you still have a magneto.
There are several Rotella 10w30 configurations: T4, T5, T6 and T. Now for the transmission that has what is referred to as wet clutch - there is an oil specification for that "JASO MA", "JASO MA2" or "JASO MA/MA2". This is important to some and not to other's
T4 (used be just T ) is a synthetic blend and the label has the "JASO MA/MA2" spec
T5 is also a synthetic blend but lacks the "JASO MA/MA2" spec (at least the label I read)
T6 is a fully synthetic blend and has the "JASO MA/MA2" spec
T4 or T6 price$ ? Regardless of the oil you choose you not mix brands or weights
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger


Erik Johnson
Posts: 850
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
First Name: Erik
Last Name: Johnson
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Re: Oil

Post by Erik Johnson » Thu Aug 18, 2022 5:07 pm

When my dad first became involved in the antique car hobby in 1948 when he was 16 years old, he used the drained oil from his father's 1941 Cadillac for his Model Ts.

I know another fellow who was in the antique car hobby early-on who passed away last year at age 95. He told me that when he was a teenager, he drove a Model A Ford for regular transportation and the neighborhood garage let him take waste oil to run in his car.


Alan Long
Posts: 381
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:33 am
First Name: Alan
Last Name: Long
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 Canadian Touring Car and 1926 Australian built Utility
Location: Western Australia

Re: Oil

Post by Alan Long » Thu Aug 18, 2022 7:44 pm

Not so long ago when changing the oil on my 66 Mustang I was tempted to pour it into the T. It was clean and well filtered.
I decided not to take the risk. It would have been okay and the oil so much better than what was available back in the day.
I don’t think people were that fussy with their oil changing schedules then either. $30 for 5 litres is a good investment.
Just my opinion.
Alan In Western Australia

User avatar

Quickm007
Posts: 1198
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:58 am
First Name: Mario
Last Name: Brossard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring and 1914 speedster
Location: Quebec City Canada
MTFCA Number: 30981
MTFCI Number: 30981
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Oil

Post by Quickm007 » Fri Aug 19, 2022 10:14 am

Thank you for the recall, always good to remember. Good for Canada either.
Myxr6turbo wrote:
Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:45 am
I found this chart so I think 10W30 for Australian conditions should be fine. :roll:

https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/download/file. ... &mode=view
Super Mario Bross ;)

1911 Touring
1914 Speedster

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Oil

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Aug 19, 2022 10:49 am

John Codman wrote:
Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:52 am
I use the same 10W30 Rotella in my T as I do in my large-V8 hot rod. I use Rotella because it still has 1,200 parts per million of zinc. The zinc is not important to the T, but it is for the V8 with a bit of a performance cam and stiffer-then-stock valve springs. Since I keep the Rotella in stock, I might as well use it in the T. I use synthetic in just about everything else - including my John Deere garden tractor.
Since both T4, T5 & T6 are "synthetic" to some degree but only T6 is Fully Synthetic. Is that what you use?
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

TWrenn
Posts: 3386
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Wrenn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
MTFCA Number: 30701
MTFCI Number: 24033
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: Oil

Post by TWrenn » Fri Aug 19, 2022 7:53 pm

Right now you can get Rotella 15W40 online at WalMart for $15/gal. The 10W30 is twice that much. Don't know why. 15-40 works just fine.
To me, it's the best oil around.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Oil

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Aug 19, 2022 11:45 pm

Right now you can get Rotella 15W40 online at WalMart for $15/gal. The 10W30 is twice that much. Don't know why. 15-40 works just fine. To me, it's the best oil around.

I asked a well known engine/transmission rebuilder who has done a lot of Model T driving. 15W-40 was his choice. Another famously prolific T driver told me he uses Kendall 20W-50. I didn't think to ask why that particular brand.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Oil

Post by TRDxB2 » Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:39 am

Based on the prices being mentioned for Rotella, regardless of weight 10W30 or 15W40, choose Rotella T4 since it meets the "JASO MA", "JASO MA2" or "JASO MA/MA2" specification.
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

TWrenn
Posts: 3386
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Wrenn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
MTFCA Number: 30701
MTFCI Number: 24033
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: Oil

Post by TWrenn » Sat Aug 20, 2022 8:16 am

Steve Jelf wrote:
Fri Aug 19, 2022 11:45 pm
Right now you can get Rotella 15W40 online at WalMart for $15/gal. The 10W30 is twice that much. Don't know why. 15-40 works just fine. To me, it's the best oil around.

I asked a well known engine/transmission rebuilder who has done a lot of Model T driving. 15W-40 was his choice. Another famously prolific T driver told me he uses Kendall 20W-50. I didn't think to ask why that particular brand.
[/quote Kendall is actually a very good oil. Used by a lot of race car drivers. A local race engine shop ways recommended it and used it in his race cars.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic