Re: Hydraulic Lifter Tick

Posted by TxGoat On 2024/1/13 9:32:21

Modern 10W30 oil will behave much like a 10W straight grade WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. This is all to the good in cold weather, and at start-up. When the engine is up to operating temperature, 10W30 oil will behave much the same way as would a 30W straight grade at operating temperature. This, again, is all to the good.

Old engines can be destroyed by running heavy oil in very cold weather.

Ford recommended the equivalent of 20W for the Model T Ford for general use, and insisted on a quality oil with a low cold test. In very cold weather, 10W oil or adding kerosene to thin the oil was recommended. Chevrolet recommended 20W in summer for their 6 cylinder engines and 10W in winter, and under extreme conditions, 10W with 10% kerosene added. This advice can be found in Chevrolet owners manuals as late as 1949.

Packard engines were designed with ample bearing areas and featured full pressure oiling to all critical parts. But they still benefit from oils that perform well at low temperatures as well at as operating temperatures and hot summer conditions. Modern, quality multi-grade oils meet and exceed that requirement, and have high film strength and many other advantageous characteristics that make them far superior to straight grade, non-detergent oils for use in older engines, including Packards.

I run 5W30 synthetic in a Model T Ford with excellent results in 100F+ temperatures at speeds above 40 MPH.

The previous owner ran the same car and same engine in several Montana 500 races using 0W20 synthetic oil. He posted average speeds in the 53 to 54 MPH range over the 500 mile open road course. He finished every race he entered. I've run the same car around 14,000 miles using 5W30 synthetic oil at speeds in the 35 to 45 MPH range with no issues whatever. That's remarkable performance for a Model T engine that is stock except for a high lift cam.

Automobile engines need high quality motor oil, not grease!