MTFCA Forum

I use the grease on my Anderson timer that Langs sells. Just a light coat works good. I clean and replace the grease before every trip as part of my pre trip maintenance. Iv been using it for years. I'm still using the same timer for the last 15 years and it shows very little wear. My question is now that I'm running low on it just what kind of grease is it?

You've recently mentioned the car only has 600-700 miles on it in all those years. If you're cleaning and greasing for every trip, that's a personal choice and not a necessity. At 700 miles, the timer wouldn't show much wear if it was simply greased and then never serviced again in that number of miles, anyway...700 miles normally would require 2 cleaning/lube cycles at the most, but if you enjoy doing the work, there's no harm in it and that's the point of the hobby.

If you've been using Lang's supplied grease and feel that the results of extraordinary amount of servicing is worth it, why change?

https://www.modeltford.com/item/3221LUB ... MELWqddXQl

the product is clearly labeled with the manufacturer identified and is commercially available - don't count on it being cheap, as a mere 4oz direct from the manufacturer can run around $15.

give Lang's your business - their $1.75 packet should last several thousand miles.

I check the grease on my Anderson timer maybe once a year or so. I just use wheel bearing grease.

I use Allstar performance extreme pressure lube about $18 on amazon. 4 ounces will last several lifetimes. give some to friends.

Vaseline was used as a very light, clean, non-conductive grease back in the day. It was recommended for Victrolas, Edison phonographs and Singer Sewing Machines and is, no doubt, good for Model T’s. Long ago, I mixed some Vaseline with a can of 3 in 1 oil and arrived at a very thin, non-conductive grease, perfect for my timer.

I'd think the thinned down grease or Vaseline would be excellent, especially where colder temperatures are encountered. In very cold weather, MMO would probably be better than grease.

Some modern greases may contain substances that are electrically conductive. Vaseline is "pure petroleum jelly" which ought to be close to ideal in warm weather situations.

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 27, 2025 2:07 pm

Some modern greases may contain substances that are electrically conductive. Vaseline is "pure petroleum jelly" which ought to be close to ideal in warm weather situations.

This is yet one of many reasons I am a "TW timer snob", and yes New Day is basically the same, but this is why I like a good ol
carbon brush timer. No need of for lubing it. No matter what timer you use, it SHOULD be opened up every oil change. Wonder how many do that religiously? Bet less than half. I open mine up every oil change, wipe out the dust, check a few things, mostly always good cause the TW is a superior timer in my book, brushes last over 4,000 miles, don't get no better than that. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Would Dielectric grease used in distributors work in a timer?

Probably. But if it is higher in dielectric properties than ordinary grease, it might not be the best thing to put on electrical contact surfaces. I'd think most greases would cause issues in a timer in cold weather, or once they become polluted. I'd think any timer that required lubrication would need regular cleaning and relubrication, and that on a stock T engine, they'd be subject to motor oil accumulating in the timer case.