Re: Mike's 53 Clipper
Posted by Tobs On 2017/6/8 3:56:16
I shared the page of the owners manual for my car where Packard made their oil suggestions with Richard Michell. He wrote a book about choosing oils for classic cars.
https://www.amazon.com/Which-Oil-Choosing-greases-collector/dp/1845843657
Given that my temperature ranges are from about freezing in winter to 90/95 degrees F on a hot summer day, he gave me a professional recommendation. In short, 10w40! Here is what he wrote:
"Hi again Mike.
Original 1950s oil viscosity recommendations are always a little tricky to interpret. They invariably list lower viscosities than is the case 10 years or so later. I looked at a couple of old manuals that I have. An early fifties Austin A40 (1.2 litre, 4 cylinders) specifies SAE30 for ambients from 32 - 90F, SAE20 for 10 - 32F and SAE10 for below 10F (sorry about the units!). An Australian Holden (straight six of US GM design) from the 50s specifies SAE 30 summer, SAE 20 winter.
The reason for this is that the recommendation was dominated by the need to ensure lubrication at start-up temperatures. It was essential that the oil flowed. Wax levels in the base oils used were relatively high and the only measure that they had of the low temperature start up problem was the pour point of the oil. We learnt subsequently that the standard pour point test was not an adequate measure of the situation in the real world.
This need for a low viscosity for start up meant that lubrication at operating temperature was not ideal. The viscosity was lower than would be preferred but was generally adequate for normal engine use.
Today, as you are well aware, multigrades can help us greatly with this problem. I would strongly consider a 10W/40 for the Packard. I am not familiar with the German retail oil market but a quick Google seemed to show a much wider range of performance levels being available in that viscosity grade. I would avoid the A1/B1-type of oils. They are pursuing outcomes that are not relevant to your car.
Best wishes,
Richard"
Attach file:
(80.49 KB)
https://www.amazon.com/Which-Oil-Choosing-greases-collector/dp/1845843657
Given that my temperature ranges are from about freezing in winter to 90/95 degrees F on a hot summer day, he gave me a professional recommendation. In short, 10w40! Here is what he wrote:
"Hi again Mike.
Original 1950s oil viscosity recommendations are always a little tricky to interpret. They invariably list lower viscosities than is the case 10 years or so later. I looked at a couple of old manuals that I have. An early fifties Austin A40 (1.2 litre, 4 cylinders) specifies SAE30 for ambients from 32 - 90F, SAE20 for 10 - 32F and SAE10 for below 10F (sorry about the units!). An Australian Holden (straight six of US GM design) from the 50s specifies SAE 30 summer, SAE 20 winter.
The reason for this is that the recommendation was dominated by the need to ensure lubrication at start-up temperatures. It was essential that the oil flowed. Wax levels in the base oils used were relatively high and the only measure that they had of the low temperature start up problem was the pour point of the oil. We learnt subsequently that the standard pour point test was not an adequate measure of the situation in the real world.
This need for a low viscosity for start up meant that lubrication at operating temperature was not ideal. The viscosity was lower than would be preferred but was generally adequate for normal engine use.
Today, as you are well aware, multigrades can help us greatly with this problem. I would strongly consider a 10W/40 for the Packard. I am not familiar with the German retail oil market but a quick Google seemed to show a much wider range of performance levels being available in that viscosity grade. I would avoid the A1/B1-type of oils. They are pursuing outcomes that are not relevant to your car.
Best wishes,
Richard"
Attach file:
(80.49 KB)
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