MTFCA Forum

I just installed a NOS Tiger Timer. It says on the box, to keep well oiled. My question is, what weight oil should I use?

I found it doesn't matter what oil one uses with the tiger timers, they don't last very long regardless.

I believe one used the oil in your oil can - 30 wt.

One problem we have these days is that many lubricants contain additives that are conductive. Using these in a Model T can cause major problems with the electrical systems, such as the magneto and commutator (timer). Whatever you use to lubricate the timer roller, must not contain any additives that are electrically conductive. One problem with lubricating the Tiger timer with a thin liquid oil such as 3 in 1 oil (which is what is recommended) is that after a few revolutions, and the heat of the engine, the oil soon ends up in the bottom of the housing where it does no good. I remedied this with a concoction of my own. As a collector of antique phonographs, I was aware that Vaseline was recommended by Victor as a lubricant for the Victrola. Since Vaseline is a clean, thin, inert, non- conductive grease, I decided to use it to help lubricate my Tiger Timer. I bought a can of 3 in 1 oil and started mixing it with Vaseline, stirring the two lubricants together until I reached the consistency I thought would be perfect to lubricate the timer and roller on a longer term basis. I would describe the consistency as resembling honey, or molasses. Thick enough to remain in play, and not flow to the bottom of the housing, but thin enough to easily penetrate the roller, and stay on the roller and circular contacts. Only problem with this is that it cannot be dripped through the hole like liquid oil, but the housing must be removed and the lubricant must be smeared on the contacts inside of the housing and on the roller, but the good thing is that the timer stays lubricated for a much longer time. Jim Patrick

I just use the same oil as I use in the engine. A roller timer will last quite a while as long as it's kept clean and well oiled.

Stephen

I use the same oil in my Ruckstell (75w90) in my oil can. A couple drops on either side of the roller and a smear of dielectric grease on the contact faces. For whatever reason, I’ve never had any luck with Vaseline or straight just dripping oil into the hole on the timer (Tiger or Ford roller timer).