AVBLEND

[Professor Fate]

Anybody have any info or experience with the additive AVBLEND in the T?
I used it 20 years ago in my homebuilt airplane and in my Suzuki motorcycles, TLR1000, and my Hayabusa. Made the motorcycle transmissions shift buttery smooth and perfectly. And there were documented aircraft engine loss of oil pressure incidents where the addirive supposedly kept friction low to keep engines running for minutes not seconds.
Was wondering what this stuff would do to the T transmission, babbit, and Kevlar bands....

[TXGOAT2]

No personal experience with it. What is its purpose?

[Professor Fate]

Some kind of friction reducer. It was all the rage 25 years ago when I was flying all the time

[Scott_Conger]

You could try it...or use ZMAX, the automotive equivalent.

AVBLEND is blue, ZMAX is purple. That's about the totality of the difference, since the MSDS states that both are 99% mineral oil.

A cut/paste from their website states: AVBLEND allows metal to temper itself under working conditions and assume the right degree of suppleness and hardness for the job it is intended to do during its entire performance life. Having worked extensively with a Materials Lab, and metallurgists in my prior life, as well as having some acquaintance with tribology and bearing wear...the claim sounds like baloney to me.

If I was looking for something, I'd use CamGuard. That actually has some additives known and studied to reduce wear.

As for AVBLEND, I cannot see how it will help or hurt a "T", but it still ain't going in my car.

[Professor Fate]

I'm with you Scott. 99% mineral oil. I had no idea....

[TXGOAT2]

It may have some sort of phosphor, like racing oil. I don't think a T would benefit, and it might cause problems with the transmission bands, brake band, and clutch. The clutch, being metal-to metal, might become inoperative if the stuff is as lubricious as claimed.

[Professor Fate]

I remember using 1 oz per qt of oil in the bikes. They did shift nicer and the Wet clutches never slipped.
But if it's just min oil what's really the benefit? Not much I think.

[TXGOAT2]

Material data sheet lists it as a pure product as opposed to mixture, which suggests it is entirely composed of "white mineral oil", with perhaps the remaining 1% fraction being a dye or dye and odorant. I'll stick with Marvel Mystery Oil. It's widely available, it does work, and it looks pretty and it smells good. I think it was a lot more useful back in the days of straight grade, non-detergent oil, since it can overcome some of the limitations of such motor oils, and it has some value in helping cleaning up old engines that are sludged and gummed up.

[TXGOAT2]

It might be informative to read what the FFA had to say about it, as to what it is approved FOR. I don't think I need it, because I have already protected my car against any possible issues for all time by wrapping the threads on the radiator cap with Teflon tape. I mean, TEFLON, man!

[Scott_Conger]

An FAA approved product simply means that it is not BANNED for use.

AVBLEND states that they do not consider their product to be a lubricant ADDITIVE, as it is a pure product. That is a pretty odd statement for something that is meant to be added to oil.

[TXGOAT2]

Oil additives all seem to fall into a few categories: 1. The goops, which add viscosity. These can benefit worn out engines and may offer some added protection under extreme operating conditions and may improve residual lubrication after shut down. Extreme pressure performance may be improved. 2. The light blends, which thin oil somewhat and seem to add a penetrating and washing effect. They can help free gummed lifters and such like and improve cold weather oil performance. 3. The range of products which are oil based and also contain some sort of lubricating substance, like teflon or graphite or phosphors which are designed to improve extreme pressure performance. These may offer benefits and may cause issues in some applications. In my inexpert opinion, quality modern motor oils already have the properties that these additives claim to add or enhance, and that seems to be the position of most engine makers. I'd be leery of putting additives in a Model T, since modern oils do a very good job in Ts and some additives may cause issues with the magneto, seals, and the friction surfaces in the transmission. The fact is, modern motor oils and other automotive lubricants already have a range of proven additives blended in. I doubt if buying a jug of cheap, waxy, straight grade non-detergent oil and using additives bought by the pint to improve its properties would offer any savings or performancde benefits over buying and using a good name brand motor oil appropriate for the application.

[Norman Kling]

Be sure there is nothing in it which conducts electricity. Some things such as graphite will cause problems with the magneto.
Norm.