Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[richardlw]

Having realized that I hadn't updated my oil paper in about 2 years, and that people are still downloading it 11,000 times a month (between the English and Spanish versions), I decided to review it and update it.

I originally wrote this for my Corvair friends, but it applies to many of the older cars, and parts of it are very pertinent to engines who share the motor oil with the transmission, although I go into that in a transmission paper linked from this link.

Will it end all the oil questions? no, nothing will. But it should put to rest most of the myths and get people on the right track saving engines.

The English version is up, so you can click on the link and on over to the new version.
http://www.widman.biz/Corvair/English/Links/Oil.html
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Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil

[RobMoore]

Thats an interesting read but still confused me lol.
I am using a cheap mineral 10-50 in my 1972 1300 spitfire, my decision was based on changing every 3000 miles and that I was under the impression that synthetics were no good for my old engine.
I would love a recommendation for my car if you are able.
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[richardlw]

The Spitfire a friend let me drive once upon a time was responsible for a lot of my playing with cars. Lots of fun.

I don't know what brands are over there.

You want to look at a CI-4. A strong diesel formulation. And probably shouldn't be (don't have the manual) looking at anything that approaches 50. A 10W-50 would have to be synthetic, so not cheap.

If the engine was really worn, maybe a 20W-50, but I wouldn't used it for long as it takes too long to circulate on startup.

Look at my comments at the end. look to the left of the "/" in the API listing. With ACEA (Europe), look at the diesel listings.
_________________
Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil

[exbmc]

When i worked at a Austin/Morris/Rover/Triumph etc distributors, in the 70's, the oil used in most petrol engines, was Shell 15w-40 mineral. Whatever type you use, if you stick with 3000 mile changes, any half decent mineral will be fine.

[richardlw]

"fine" depends on how long you want it to last. Today's gasoline oils do not have what it takes to protect (for a long time) the valve train. In the 60's we assumed that if an engine lasted 100,000 miles, it was a miracle. Now we know better.

Worse yet if you want to protect the transmission of a mini where it is combined. You need the GL-4 EP protection that a good diesel oil gives you.
_________________
Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil