[Farmall] Synthetic oil in old machines

[Donald Henderson]

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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