| Cmcdonald | -- 09-24-2026 @ 2:04 PM |
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Our beautiful roadster had it's first birthday with us, and we are changing the oil. The very experienced old car shop in Florida we bought it from put in synthetic 10w30. It doesn't leak a drop and runs smoothly. We are in Texas, and google is telling us a conventional 20W50. The core is stored in climate control, and driven about 5 miles 10x a year. Thanks in advance. Also cool video we used it for to honor our dealership's 90th anniversary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1na0Tb1Wm4 Bird Kultgen Ford Waco, TX
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| carcrazy | -- 09-24-2026 @ 3:10 PM |
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If it is running well and not leaking or burning oil, you should probably stay with the synthetic oil but add an additive to the oil that contains the proper amount of ZDDP. The reason for using this oil additive is to reduce the amount of wear in older flat tappet engines. Modern oils do not employ ZDDP because modern engines with roller tappets or roller finger followers in the valvetrain don't need it and because, over time, it can poison the catalytic converters used on late model cars to reduce emissions. In my Flatheads, I use a conventional straight SAE 30 weight high detergency motor oil with 8 oz of Red Line Engine Oil Break-In Additive to minimize valvetrain wear.
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| TomO | -- 09-24-2026 @ 6:02 PM |
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I would stick with the oil that was put in by the experienced old car shop. Synthetic 10w30. Do NOT put in any additives as they can disrupt the chemistry of the synthetic oil. Modern oils do have ZDDP as an anti-wear component as well as other components to reduce wear. To check on how much ZDDP is in your oil do a Google search like this, but substitute the oil that you are using. Search "“PDS for Valvoline” When your car left the factory, ZDDP was not used in any oil. Tom
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| MG | -- 09-24-2026 @ 6:30 PM |
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I used Mobil 1 15W-50 in my '34 and the engine and I were very satisfied with it. - No leaks as warned by others. ZDDP level in this oil is more than adequate for our old flathead engines.* Synthetic oils are the slipperiest! "Synthetic oils are generally considered more slippery than conventional oils due to their uniform molecular structure, which allows for better lubrication and wear protection. This characteristic contributes to improved engine performance and efficiency." * Mobil 1 15W-50 Zinc (ppm) 1200 Phosphorus (ppm) 1100 Total ZDDP (ppm) 2300 This message was edited by MG on 9-24-26 @ 6:35 PM
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| Model B | -- 09-25-2026 @ 5:53 AM |
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Thanks for sharing your video! Very nice! Very nice '36 also! Pat
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