Oil weight
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Topic author - Posts: 474
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Oil weight
No, this isn’t a “what kind of oil should I use?” post. I use Pennzoil 10w-30. I have some jugs of 5w-20 which I bought to use in a modern Mercury that I later sold. If I mix the two, will I have 7.5w-25, or doesn’t it work that way?
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Re: Oil weight
If they're both the same brand (and probably even if they're not), your theory about mixing them is probably correct. I do it all the time if I end up with some "orphan" oil. It goes into the jug that eventually ends up in the Model T. So far, no harm no foul.
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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Topic author - Posts: 474
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Re: Oil weight
Yes, they both are Pennzoil. I hate to throw out 2 or 3 5-quart jugs of oil
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Re: Oil weight
I was told by my dear ole Dad, never mix oil. Why I never asked, I figured that he was older and new why.
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Re: Oil weight
I've heard that it's because different brands of oil have possibly incompatible additives that react and cause them to permanently leach out of the oil, leaving a separated portion (up to 1/3) that has no lubricating qualities whatever. I have never confirmed this with a petroleum engineer but that's what I've heard.
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Re: Oil weight
my understanding is that all oils rated by the SAE are required to be mixable
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Re: Oil weight
A very expert Model T mechanic told me he uses 15W-40. Another, who probably drives more than the rest of us combined, uses Kendall 20W-50. (I don't know why Kendall.) Ford recommended 20W. But 5W-20 is NOT the same as 20W. I would definitely not mix in the 5W-20 at 50/50. Maybe half a quart at each oil change, if any at all.
The inevitable often happens.
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Re: Oil weight
I don't know what this has to do with anything, but when I was a kid I used drain oil from a fleet of farm tractors and trucks. I drove the T a lot too. I don't think any of the farm vehicles had oil filters and as I recall the oil was VERY black.
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Re: Oil weight
extracted this info from this site https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/que ... -viscosity ( was posted on it in NOV 2018)
From the Chevron.com site: "Can I mix different viscosity grades of motor oils?" "Yes. It is always advisable to not mix motor oil brands, however, different viscosity grades of the same brand motor oil are compatible. Be aware that mixing viscosity grades will turn out a product that is different in viscosity than either what was originally in the engine or what was added."
From Shell.ca: "If you mix viscosity grades such as a 5W30 low-viscosity oil and a 10W40 higher-viscosity oil, it is reasonable to expect that the resulting product will have viscosity characteristics which are thicker than the 5W30, but thinner than the 10W40. This change does not reflect incompatibility - it's simply a re-balancing of the viscosity characteristics. In all other ways, the product should work as expected. But there's absolutely no danger about incompatibility resulting from mixing engine oils," Miller says. "We've tested all of our grades and brands, and we haven't observed any problems."
From Mobil1.com: "For our customers to choose a viscosity grade, we recommend they follow the engine manufacturer's recommendations as indicated in their owner's manual. There is no need to mix two Mobil 1 viscosity grades when one will do; however, we see no problem mixing different SAE grades of Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic series motor oils."
From the Chevron.com site: "Can I mix different viscosity grades of motor oils?" "Yes. It is always advisable to not mix motor oil brands, however, different viscosity grades of the same brand motor oil are compatible. Be aware that mixing viscosity grades will turn out a product that is different in viscosity than either what was originally in the engine or what was added."
From Shell.ca: "If you mix viscosity grades such as a 5W30 low-viscosity oil and a 10W40 higher-viscosity oil, it is reasonable to expect that the resulting product will have viscosity characteristics which are thicker than the 5W30, but thinner than the 10W40. This change does not reflect incompatibility - it's simply a re-balancing of the viscosity characteristics. In all other ways, the product should work as expected. But there's absolutely no danger about incompatibility resulting from mixing engine oils," Miller says. "We've tested all of our grades and brands, and we haven't observed any problems."
From Mobil1.com: "For our customers to choose a viscosity grade, we recommend they follow the engine manufacturer's recommendations as indicated in their owner's manual. There is no need to mix two Mobil 1 viscosity grades when one will do; however, we see no problem mixing different SAE grades of Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic series motor oils."
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Mick Jagger
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Re: Oil weight
As for a T, I doubt it would care much at all if was mixed, as long as there was some kind oil in the crankcase. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.
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Re: Oil weight
...as long as there was some kind oil in the crankcase.
Or passing through the crankcase on its way to the floor.
The inevitable often happens.
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Re: Oil weight
Thanks to everyone for your input. I especially like Frank Brandi's post, which seems to have quite a bit of factual and helpful information.
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Re: Oil weight
Is there any written proof that Henry said anything other than a light weight high grade machinery oil. In 1955 when many of Ford people of the times were still with us the book Tin Lizzie by Stern said SAE-10. Then as today much depended on where you lived and the temp and season.Oil is cheap,engines not so much!!!! Bud.
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Re: Oil weight
Pictures of old oil cans. Draw your own conclusions.
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Re: Oil weight
We need Rich Chillingworth to comment on all this as he is a petrol eingeer....just sayin
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Topic author - Posts: 474
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Re: Oil weight
I see a post by "Squirrel" above. I recognize you from the HAMB; surprised to see you here.
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Re: Oil weight
When you get that all figured out, the can markings, grading and contents are soon all going to change again.
I read someplace that the early engine oil was not much thicker than kerosene or automatic transmission fluid.
That would not work well today, as any drip is frowned on!
I read someplace that the early engine oil was not much thicker than kerosene or automatic transmission fluid.
That would not work well today, as any drip is frowned on!
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Re: Oil weight
No not oil weight : Oil type ! I've read discussion on the forum where using Shell Rotella 15W-40 diesel oil was discussed. Any merit to it?
Last edited by ModelTWoods on Tue Jun 23, 2020 12:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil weight
I use a lot of Rotella 15-40 in many engines but not in our stem wind model T"s Bud.