Oil advice for a 1914 Model T

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I have a 1914 Model T and am looking for advice as to what oil to use. Anything modern has to be better than what was available in 1914, but here is some background.

The engine and the trans share the same oil sump.
There is no oil filter.
There is no oil pump.
The main and rod bearings are babbit
Top engine speed is below 2,000 RPM
The engine is water cooled but there is no water pump so it runs relatively hot.
Lower gear, Reverse, and the brake are achieved by pushing on pedals that tighten cotton lined bands around spinning drums in the trans that are bathed in the sump oil. Some oils seem to make the bands chatter more than others.
High gear is direct drive and is engaged by a wet clutch pack with several steel disks.
There is no starter, only a hand crank. Higher cold viscosity oils are harder to crank as they cause drag at the bands and the clutch pack.

The previous owner used Rotella 15W-40 and it was hard to crank start the car without jacking up the rear end. I switched to Rotella 5W40 and adjusted the bands and it was easier to start. I subsequently switched to Mobil 0W-40 and it was easier still to start. That is what I am running now, but it is time for the annual oil change. (It only sees a few hundred miles of use a year)


What oils have the lowest cold viscosity to help with crank starting?

Would a low friction modifier content like a motorcycle oil to help with the bands chattering as they engage, or would it make starting harder?

Would an oil with some EP content be advised since it also lubes the gears?

Thanks for your thoughts!
-Joe
 
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For that use a sump heater would seem to be strongly indicated, and might mitigate any downside of using motorcycle oil, which seems well worth a try.
 
Use what the owner's manual recommends!
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Sorry.

No good advice but great thread topic.
 
Why don't you get in touch with a couple of major motor oil producers and see what they would recommend with the description you just gave?
I would try Chevron, Shell and Mobil to see what they would recommend. Just make sure you are talking to the right person not just someone who would read specs off without understanding them.
 
Every car I've had since I went on line in 2K has a forum of enthusiasts. I would find a Model T club and ask them. Good luck with your Model T
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There's a guy that goes by "Mr. Model T" on instagram and youtube with a very nice T he drives quite a bit. It's been on Jay Leno's Garage and he took it to TROG. Might try to contact him - based on his media feeds he works on all kinds of very old stuff and puts a few miles on them, as well.
 
Originally Posted By: E150GT
Go hit up your local dollar general. I bet they got the factory stuff there.


I knew someone would
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I like the idea of contacting an oil company. If anyone has an email of someone they think could help, please PM it to me.

The manual states a light, high grade oil.
http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1913/1913inst.pdf

The general consensus of the Model T forum is any modern oil is better than anything that was available in 1914. Some guys will mix and match stuff from yard sales, and there is even a guy that likes the Dollar General stuff... Generally they know a lot about Model T's, but oil info is based on advertising and magic.

I have tried a few different types and I believe they all protect the engine better than anything from back in the day. I have noticed a difference in the ability to hand crank the motor, with the very simple trend of a lower advertised xW- viscosity rating being easier. My bands chatter a little in reverse, with all of the synthetics I have tried. (Wasn't as bad with the 15W-40 Rotella)

Looking for advice from this community of oil experts. Of the 0W stuff out there, which has tested particularly low cold viscosity? Are any of them ones that have EP additives, or have additive packages that would be appropriate for wet clutches?

Thanks for the help!
-Joe
 
Originally Posted By: 2Slow
The manual states a light, high grade oil.
http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1913/1913inst.pdf

That couldn't be any less specific. What does light, high grade oil even mean?

Anyway, it being a 1914, it came factory with non-detergent oil for sure. So here's what I could come up with:

https://www.amazon.com/Accel-60316-SAE-Non-Detergent-Motor/dp/B0052KXYF6

https://www.amazon.com/Accel-60318-SAE-Non-Detergent-Motor/dp/B0052KY07C

https://www.amazon.com/Accel-80511-SAE-Non-Detergent-Motor/dp/B0052KYAMC

https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-SAE-Non-Detergent-Motor-Oil/dp/B00DJ4FKAO

https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Distribution-Accel-Detergent-Motor/dp/B00EFGM6IE

---

But since you say you've been using HDEOs, I guess those links will go to no use. I wouldn't have put that into a car that wasn't supposed to use detergent oil.
 
I'm surprised M1 0W-40 is doing ok in a model T engine!
If it's working though, keep using it, just a quick google search i find forums with people stating they run 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, Straight 30...
 
I think you should try SAE 30 in your G37 Garak, I'll even buy the oil 'n filter.

Edit; The 1st 10 miles of #1 highway east of Regina is a ______ disaster. (fill in the blank)
 
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The first 10 miles is actually better than it used to be. They might be done the construction in twenty years. At least now, it's not half mud and there is some room to drive.

And no SAE 30 for me, at least not in the G37. I do drive the thing in the winter, after all, and don't want to have to be married to the heated garage or park indoors all the time.
wink.gif


Now, I could use SAE 30 in the snowblower, even, since it's never stored in temperatures below 10 C.
 
Out here in Southern California, I use a modern oil either SAE 30 or 40 in a Model T with good results. Don't overthink about what oil to use in a 100 year old engine. Originally those engines ran on just about anything that would be poured in them and they are splash oiled and don't have an air or oil filter so extended oil drains are out and besides those engines use oil. Use a good 30 or 40 and the engine will run fine.
 
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