[Steam-engine] lubricating oil

Tue Apr 25 22:24:06 PDT 2006

Hi Charlie!
     That's the way they did it back then. The closest thing I've found for
these applications is Mobil DTE oil
medium ( ISO 46, about a 20 weight), or Mobil DTE oil heavy medium ( ISO 68,
closer to 30 weight ).
When you trace the history backwards, it is a direct descendant of the oils
used in these systems.
We have a Corliss that has a Richardson-Phenix lube system with a filter box
that purposely percolates the
oil up through a water bath, supposedly cleaning it. This didn't happen due
to surface tension, so oil filtration
kept on evolving, but even if you run the system with no water, it will get
in there from the packings anyways.
Check your connecting rod carefully, you may discover a line leading down to
the big end bearing. It's there
on the Troys, and catches oil coming down from the top and feeds it to the
con. rod bearing.
     About 5 years ago I called Mobil technical service, and they still had
listings for steam engines. It might be
worth a call. Happy Steaming!
Best Regards;
Jim Mackessy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <CopperheadMarine at aol.com>
To: <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:22 PM
Subject: [Steam-engine] lubricating oil


> I have a Skinner engine that I will be setting up to run a saw mill. It is
> similar to a Troy in that it is not lubricated by greasers or drip oilers.
It
> has a gravity oiling system. The oil is below the engine in a reservoir it
is
> pumped up into an oil water separator and then it gravity feeds the over
flow
> to  the crosshead and the main crank bearings. The rod is splash
lubricated
> as far  as I can see. At the bottom of the case water is separated and
then oil
> runs  back into the reservoir.
>
>   OK here is the question. Does anyone know what type of oil to use in
this
> application? Conventional oils emulsify or mix with water and make this
> creamy buttery mixture.
>
> I was thinking of a mineral based cutting oil like what is used in a valve
> grinding machine.
>
> Any comments or suggestions?
>
>
> Charlie
>
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> <DIV>I have a Skinner engine that I will be setting up to run a saw mill.
It=
>  is=20
> similar to a Troy in that it is not lubricated by greasers or drip oilers.
I=
> t=20
> has a gravity oiling system. The oil is below the engine in a reservoir it
i=
> s=20
> pumped up into an oil water separator and then it gravity feeds the over
flo=
> w to=20
> the crosshead and the main crank bearings. The rod is splash lubricated as
f=
> ar=20
> as I can see. At the bottom of the case water is separated and then oil
runs=
> =20
> back into the reservoir.</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>  OK here is the question. Does anyone know what type of oil to
us=
> e in=20
> this application? Conventional oils emulsify or mix with water and make
this=
> =20
> creamy buttery mixture.</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>I was thinking of a mineral based cutting oil like what is used in a
va=
> lve=20
> grinding machine.</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>Any comments or suggestions?</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>Charlie</DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>
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