Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

The previous owner always used 30w but it is a rebuilt engine with about 40,000 on it. Am I safe to use 10w30 or should I stay with 30w? I live in Southern California and the temp. never gets below 40 degrees in the winter, stays mostly 60-80 degrees. The oil change stations always use 10w30. Your advise is very appreciated. I always trust and verify.

Neither oil will cause great harm or great benefit. I use 10w30

Good Morning Brenda...I also use 10-30 in our 1949 deluxe 288. Ernie

the main problem might not be the viscosity but the quality. Modern oils do often have dispergent additives that keep the dirt in motion to move it to the oil-filter. But if you don?t have any oil-filter, the dirt will circulate round and round and help wearing out the engine. This old engines should use an old fashioned oil for classic cars, where the dirt sinks down in the oil pan.

What kind do you recommend for old cars? I have a good oil filter

with an oil filter there will be no problem using modern oils (perhaps with some seals, but nobody knows)

my 49 does not have an oilfilter

I know, the cork front seal and asbestos/graphite rear seal work fine with modern oils. I have heard buit not confirmed that synthetic oils tend to leak slightly out of rear seals of this type.


Relax and enjoy your car.

Good afternoon Brenda...We use Mobil 1 10-30 in our 1949 Packard and she seems to like it. We also use it in our 1931 Model A Ford. Rotella 10-30 is another product that many members like to use. Any 10-30 will be superior to what was available in 1953. The Mobile 1 is pretty slippery and will run out of places standard oil will not, but I like it anyway... Ernie

Many of us here enjoy using Shell Rotella 15W-40 engine oil. The type of oil selected depends upon engine condition, driving habits, and climate. Many feel that with a worn engine a 20W-50 grade or even 50W will help with their oil pressure and consumption. The heavier grades place a strain on the oil pump and do not flow freely enough during start up before engine is warmed. A heavy grade oil will not cure your worn engine problems. I would say the heaviest straight grade to use should be 30W. All of the above in my opinion, that is. JWL

Thank you all so much for the information. I think I will go with 10-30. Then I can go to an oil change place. I don't change oil myself. I bought a 4 ft hose from Auto Zone to attach to my funnel and put in the fill hole under the car so I can put transmission fluid in my Clipper, Dex 3, 4 or 5, I've been told. It is a 94 Mercedes tranny (rebuilt Ultramatic with Mercedes clutch place and torque converter with passing gear).