Dealing with a change in the oil supply

[Steve Jelf]

I asked some well-known Model T rebuilders/experts who drive a lot what oil they use. The two answers were 20W-50 and 15W-40 (Diesel). I went with the 20W-50. I've been buying quarts of it to carry in the car, getting it at Walmart for the best price. That is ending. I'm told Walmart is deleting the heavier oils and going with only the light weight oils required for late model cars. On my recent trip I found a few stores that still had quarts of the 20W-50, but that won't last long. Most had already sold out of it. The remaining quarts will soon be gone, and I figure the gallons will go too. So I will switch to the 15W-40 they still sell (Rotella by the gallon or the house brand in two-gallon jugs).

But what about traveling? A gallon or two-gallon container will take up a lot of the limited space in a runabout. What to do? The answer is on the running board. I have always carried gasoline in all three running board cans for a total of 7 gallons (2+3+2). I'll change one of the two-gallon cans to oil and not have to carry any at all inside the car. That will still leave me with five gallons of gas that will be good for well over fifty miles of driving.

Water? I don't like the idea of water in a steel can. Even galvanized pails rust out. Water will continue in a plastic jug inside the car.

#3 will become oil.

[tdump]

Just trying to find straight 30 for lawnmowers is getting difficult and expensive.
I have gotten the 30 wt non detergent at walmart for a long time now in the quarts. I guess that is ending.I know the 20-50 castrol I always used in more modern stuff was dropped a couple years ago. These new vehicles run that stuff I call "baby oil" it is so runny.

[TXGOAT2]

I had a feeling that was coming. "Regular 'oils have been getting thin on the shelf here for some time now. It looks like "regular" oil for gasoline and diesel engines is being deleted. More Green/woke pressure on corporations, I'd guess. It sure isn't market forces. Model Ts will do fine on 10/30 or 5/30 even 0/20 synthetic oil. It costs more, of course. People with old tractors, motorcycles, and old power equipment may want to dope the "baby oil" with STP-type products. The synthetic STP costs more, of course, and I suppose our Maximum Leaders will act to see that we will soon have no other choice. Beyond meat; beyond oil, beyond internal combustion ... and beyond Liberty. Get your veggies in a pill, kids. Who needs food? Pop a veggie pill, pop a no-calorie burger pill, throw back a slug of vitamin water, and you're done! More time free to check out hot new vids and cool new apps on your mobil device!

[DHort]

Steve

You are driving a roadster. You should be able to get 100 miles with that 5 gallons of gas. I changed my oil when I got to Kentucky and I will change it again today when I get out in the garage. I easily have 800 miles on the car after the last oil change. Maybe I should head over to Fleet Farm tomorrow and get a case while it is still available. Happy to hear you made it home in one piece.

[mtntee20]

Steve,

I like your idea of oil in one of the running board cans, BUT if you want to carry more gasoline, just save your quart oil bottles and fill them from the 2 gallon jugs. Then you can take however many quarts you wish. The big problem will be finding quarts on the road. Sounds like there will be plenty of gallon, 2 gallon, and 3 gallon jugs out there.

Thank you for your trip reports. I enjoy them all.

Good Luck,

[JohnH]

Water? I don't like the idea of water in a steel can. Even galvanized pails rust out. Water will continue in a plastic jug inside the car.

I keep my water in a steel container. However, as I also run with soluble oil in the cooling system, I added some to the container to prevent it rusting out.

[Allan]

John, does the soluble oil alter the taste?

Allan from down under.

[DickC]

I have been getting valvolene 20/50 racing oil from Walmart through Amazon.

[JohnH]

John, does the soluble oil alter the taste?

Allan from down under.

They’ll only taste it once LOL

[Bryce S.]

I feel that the reason they are doing it is a majority of the "average public" whom still tinkers with their own stuff rarely need the heavier weight oil. All the older vehicles and equipment that require it are becoming scarce by the year. Hopefully for years to come it will still be available but I think it's going to come down to what us in the "T" hobby do best........ stock pile what's available, and plan ahead by ordering online. As far as price it's a shame Walmart is choosing not to keep stock of it seeing as they have the best prices but I'm a big believer in NAPA. Pretty well all the NAPA stores I go to always have straight 30 or a very heavy weight of house brand oil which is just Valvoline in a different bottle.

-Bryce

[1925 Touring]

We get our oil from NAPA, and have had good luck with it. I hope that the oil is around for another 70 years in some form or another. I want my chance to drive the T too!!

[TXGOAT2]

I'd like to see the market be allowed to work. I do not believe market forces are at work here.

[DHort]

Just purchased a case of 10W-30 at the local farm store. $2.59/quart. Paid $6.00 at OReilly last week while I was on the road.

Aso got a quart of 85W-140 at the local OReilly and it was only $8.99

I should be set for the winter.