[Farmall] Synthetic oil in old machines

[jtchall at nc.rr.com]

I work in a machine shop and one of our machine tool manufacturers told us 
not to use synthetic based coolant as it will attack the seals. They did say 
we could use semi-synthetic. I don't know if the same applies to engine 
seals or not.

John Hall


-----Original Message----- 
From: Donald Henderson
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2014 2:39 PM
To: Farmall/IHC mailing list
Subject: Re: [Farmall] Synthetic oil in old machines


I tried the synthetic in my 1947 W-4 which has a rebuilt engine installed in 
1998.  I got leaks everywhere where none existed before.  I went back to 
plain old 30W 5 quarts with a 1 quart zinc additive ( present day oils don't 
have zinc like the old oils) and no problem (or leaks) since.  The 
synthetics are thinner or else they are too good at cleaning around edges of 
gaskets where leaks are prone to occur.



Donald Henderson
Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan


----- Original Message ----- 

From: Spencer Yost<mailto:yostsw at atis.net>

To: Farmall/IHC mailing list<mailto:farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>

Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2014 12:42 PM

Subject: Re: [Farmall] Synthetic oil in old machines



I use Blackstone labs for my oil sampling and a fellow there is my source 
for advice in stuff like this.   He said synthetic shines in the areas of 
today's engines:   Tighter tolerance, higher oil pressures, temperatures, 
rpms etc that require the sheer resistance of synthetics.  This is 
especially true with some modern diesels that use engine oil to actuate the 
fuel injector and synthetics can improve some minor drivability 
issues(stiction mainly).  But he thinks it's a waste of money in older 
engines like ours where none of this is true.   Issues like wear debris, 
fuel dilution, water(condensation from using big honking blocks made from 
iron) and sludge in our engines would still require frequent oil changes, 
making synthetic an expensive option.  But if you insist, his opinion is as 
long as you are using detergent oils now you can switch.

I know squat about any of this but can pass along an opinion from an expert 
pretty well.  Hope this helps,

Spencer

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 1, 2014, at 21:28, "E. John Puckett" 
> <ejpuckett at centurytel.net<mailto:ejpuckett at centurytel.net>> wrote:
>
> I have never tried it myself, but if it is on a new rebuild including
> all new seals in the engine it should be ok.  However if the seals ,
> main and crank bearings, cam bearings, etc. are getting old or worn, you
> will have problems since the synthetic seems to be thinner.  That info
> is form discussion on some of the antiaue tractro forums, not my 
> experience.
>
>> On 9/1/2014 8:46 AM, Richard BROWN wrote:
>>    I can't find an authority who knows much about synthetic oil in old 
>> engines.  I have a 48 Farmall and 53 Chevy truck, and wondering if the 
>> new oil would be good for those engines.  Appreciate hearing if anyone 
>> knows.  Richard Brown, Boyne City, MI
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