What oil to use in a ford flathead???

Got a 1950 flattie, so i was curious as to what oil people were running? I heard 20w 50 or 40 non-detergent oil. Answer are greatly apperciated.

 

I'd suggest straight 50

 

Well first question is it a car that has a fresh engine or one that has been in regular use in the last 10-20 years? If so for where you live 15-40 and that will be detergent. If it has been sitting for the last 40 years and you don't drop the pan and pull the manifold to clean out any sludge use 30 non-det. You have had to look for non-det. oil for the last 30 years or so. Very few engines that were used regular in the last 30 got non-det put in them.

 

The motor is semi fresh etc... New bearings main/rod and a new camshaft. That's it. Oil pressure with 10w 30 is 25 psi at idle. Engine was clean as hell inside (no sludge).

 

Brad Penn 20-50

 

I used 20w50 for many summers with no problems and good oil pressure in heat.

 

Considering that the oil companys no longer put the same additives in their oil that the flatheads need you should maybe use something like Rotella in your engine. I think it is Zinc that they have stopped putting into everyday motor oil. The reason I heard why you don't want to use this new stuff is because it will wipe out your cam and lifters. The Zinc was in there to lube these sliding surfaces. This holds true for any engine that doesn't have roller rockers/ cam followers. Rotella is a damn good oil and if it will stand up to a diesel it'll stand up to what our flatheads can dish out. We run Rotella in my daughters SBC drag car also. Good luck

 

The Hot Rod company do flathead specific zinc containing oil
www.thehotrodcompany.com
Bob

 

ZINK is what is missing nowdays. And yes Rotella 15-40 or Delo 400 15-40 would be a good choice.

 

But the Rotella come's in sae 30 sae 40 and 15-40. So if using that is the 15/40 a better choice?

 

Yep ! I run 15-40 year around here in Phoenix 30 to 120 temp range. If you plan on running that thing in your icwbox winters the engine will like the 15-40. Orignal recomendations for oil weight was 20 down to 10-20 degrees and 10 W below that.

 

Where are these oils sold at?? Thanks

 

Wally World for a start and most of the chain parts places too.

 

30 wait with detergent to keep gaskets thickened (limit leaks) and add in a Slick 50 for initial starting lube. works great so far on my 50 model
GW

 

I plan on adding Marvel Mystery oil, any suggestions?? Do I use this in palce of a qt. of oil or add it after the 5 qt.s?? My 1950 Flathead is smoking a little but runs strong and fine...any other suggestions besides a total tear down?? ((Im not a motor guy, thanks for the help))

 

I use castrol sae 30 and competition cams,zink additive in my 53 239

 

Hmm I am a little confused on oil to. Mine is a 8ba and should i use 15-40 or 20-50 seems like a toss up.

 

The zinc problem leaves you with the diesel truck oils Shell Rotella and Chevron Delo 400 in 15-40 but everybody has their own opinions about oil even when the flatties were NEW!

 

have any of you heard of the NEW Castrol CLASSIC oil they just came out with??? Its designed for classic cars and HAS zinc and phosphers.iN it.............even comes in bottles with old school logos on them..fyi rotella is cutting out most or all zinc very soon

 

Rotella doesn't have zinc in it anymore. Hate to say it, but do a search. This was discussed in depth many times before.

The ol-time flatty builder around here says to use straight 40w, and I add a bottle of zinc additive with every oil change.

 

Joe Gibbs has a "hot Rod oil" designed for these type of old motors...check it out...

http://www.joegibbsracingoil.com/

Pretty expensive at about 10 bucks a quart, but my motor guy says its well worth it.

 

ACDelco E.O.S. has zinc in it. I use it for engine assembly and any flat tappet cam changes. All new engines that roll outta here actually

 

6 pack,
Best place to get the Delo 400 & Rotella is Walmart. I use the Delo 400 15-40 in my flat 6 engines.

Dave

 

I add about 4 oz. of MMO to each tank of gas to prevent sticky valves, and use Mobil Delvac 15w40 in the crankcase, without MMO or other additives. Works for me.

 

So delo 400 still has zinc? Also I dont see the gm e.o.s? Is it oil or assembly oil? Like add to your oil

 

E.O.S. = engine oil supplement. It's an additive with zinc

 

same as ZZZP????

 

Ok what zinc additive can i put in my 50 8BA which is a recent rebuild i would say 3 years ago.How much do i put in and where can i get it and do i have to have a oil change to add it or just stick it in the engine?

 

all i use in my 38 is 20-50 castrol works good .....richie............

 

Valvoline Racing Oil and Valoline VR still contains zinc as well as Aimsoil. Valvoline VR can go longer between changes.