Oil

[Will]

Not one auto parts in my area is carrying conventional motor oil, Its all either a full synthetic or a blended synthetic oil. I was lucky to find a five gallon pail at my local NAPA of 30# conventional for the model T which should hold me for a very long time as I don't drive the T very much anymore. I was running 15/40 Rotella but thats even getting hard to find. I had to special order conventional for my daily drivers of which I got 4 of each for my drivers. I'm not certain how the T will run on the synthetic when there is no longer any conventional left. Do you guy feel it will effect the Babbitt bearings?

[Erik Johnson]

Walmart Supertech SAE HD-30 conventional motor is readily available, at least where I live. However, it's typically not in the automotive department but in the area where they sell lawnmowers or lawnmower sundries/yard and garden. They also sell SAE 30 non-detergent for air compressors but it is not labeled as automotive engine oil (even though it would be no problem to use it in a Model T or brass auto).

For anyone in the midwest, SAE HD-30 is also readily available at Menards - however, it is in the lawnmower department and not the automotive department.

It's been a while since I've bought SAE 30 detergent or non-detergent at an auto parts store. I go to a lot of estate sales here in the Twin Cities and always pick up SAE 30 and 10W-30 when I find it and usually spend no more than a dollar a quart. I recently bought a case of Valvoline 10W-30 at an estate sale.

[TXGOAT2]

Synthetic oil works well in a Model T. 10W30 is a good choice in most parts of the USA. Ford recommended 20W. 10W30 covers that nicely. If you run a T in cold weather, 5W20 is a good choice.

[speedytinc]

Napa, on line & locally, has 30wt detergent & non detergent in their brand & valvoline 30 racing.

[varmint]

https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-and- ... 811768_0_0

You should be able to order this in store or online. If this is what you are looking for.

[Steve Jelf]

In a rural small town, the local Walmart may have synthetic only.

[big2bird]

Amazon.

I just bought 5 qts 0-20 fully synthetic Valvoline Dexos for my truck. $22.93. Can't beat that.

I assume they have VR-1 30wt as well.
I use VR-1 in any engine i rebuild that has flat tappet cams, period.

[NealW]

If you live near an Atwoods, they sell conventional motor oil; at least the one near me does.

[love2T's]

Menards, rural king, even wal mart handle ordinary Rotella 10W30. Stick with that..you can't go wrong.

[Will]

A long time ago I had asked about running synthetic oils in the T and was warned to never ever put synthetic based oils in any engine with babbit bearings. I was also told it would destroy the clutches in the T because it was to slippery. I'm certain that at some point there will no longer be conventional oils as todays modern cars all use synthetic based oils. Has anyone actually used synthetic oils in there T's and what was the out come? I'd appreciate some builders chime in on this question with there experience. I have a feeling that we are slowly regressing back to the days of buying are gas and oil from the local pharmacy.

[TXGOAT2]

My Model T has run the Montana 500 using full synthetic oil. It has stock bearings and crankshaft. I have run full synthetic 5W20 or 10W30 oil in it for over 15,000 miles at speeds up to 45+ MPH with no issues what so ever. Multi-grade full synthetic motor oil meets, and FAR exceeds, Ford's specifications for motor oil. I have excellent transmission band and clutch function. My car does have Kevlar bands. The stock magneto works well. Oil consumption is minimal, as is leakage. The car has aluminum pistons and modern type rings and a performance cam. I run this car mostly on the open road in warmer weather, up to 105 F. The car is equipped with an oiled foam type air filter and a New Day timer and a Texas T auxiliary oiler.

[TXGOAT2]

Old, high mileage engines with oil pumps and full pressure lubrication do very well using Wal Mart 20W50 conventional oil. In hot weather, adding a pint of STP can be beneficial. An exception would be old model Chevrolet sixes and others with splash type rod bearings. These engines require a light bodied oil, especially in cold weather. I put oil designed for diesel engines in diesel engines. There are very few vehicles that require high ZDP oil, and model Ts are not among them.

[Rich P. Bingham]

Oil ? Yes ! Use it !!

[Will]

Thanks everyone, That answered my questions. Maybe I will take that 5 gallon pail of NAPA 30# back and start running synthetic oil in it on my next oil change.

[John Codman]

My 2005 Dodge 5.7 Hemi calls for non-synthetic engine oil. I have never had any difficulty in finding it. Auto Zone stocks it, and so does the local Firestone and Goodyear stores. I also can get Shell Rotella T-4 and Shell Formula 10 W 30 in a Walmart about 15 miles from my house. Despite it's name, the Shell Formula is intended for gasoline engines. The T-4 is intended for light and heavy Diesels, but I have no qualms with using it in my low-revving Model T.

[TXGOAT2]

Will, since you live in Florida, you should have no issues using a good quality 30W non-detergent oil in a Model T, especially if your engine has at least a few hundred miles on it. If I were you, and already had the 30W, I'd go ahead and use it. You can improve the non-detergent, straight grade oil's performance by adding about 25% Marvel Mystery Oil to it. That will assure good lubrication at start-up, make starting easier, reduce clutch drag, and prevent internal engine deposits. In this area, Wal Mart still carries conventional multi-grade oils most of the time. In Florida, I'd use 10W30 detergent oil in a Model T, either conventional or synthetic.

[Craig Leach]

Just for the record has anyone had issues with running synthetic motor oil in their model T? I never have not knowing it's effect on band function
but modern automatics seem to be OK with it & that is the same principle in function as far as bands go.
Craig.