Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

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ICON 1956
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Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by ICON 1956 »

I would like to know which motor oil to use on our baby birds, I have been using Brad Penn 10-30 motor oil with infused with Zinc. I have heard of others have been using Shell's Rotella T Heavy Duty 15W-40. which is a Diesel motor oil. has anyone been using any of these oils or other zinc motor oils. Would like to know your opinion.
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1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
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goldwinghg
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by goldwinghg »

I have been using the Rotella oil,for the last 6 years. I also add 2 oz. bottle of zdp. Found it on eBay. Not sure if it makes a difference,but it does add more zinc to the oil.
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by ICON 1956 »

The Brad Penn Oil that I use is infused with Zinc, So I don't have to add anything. I'm happy with the oil I'am using. I just wanted to know what other oil others are using. The Rotella oil is new to me. I did not know that Diesel oil could be used in our Birds. In inquiring minds what to know..... :shock:
1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
Snow-T-Bird
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by Snow-T-Bird »

I have a 1955 Thunderbird since 2012 and use Rotella 15w40 oil as advised by Mr. Gil Baumgartner from Classic Thunderbird Club International and have no problem since that time. Do about 650 miles a year and change the oil and filter every 2 years.
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by ICON 1956 »

Yes, I've read the articular from Gil via CTCI web site. I ask because I never used it. I wanted to hear fed back about the oil. Since I'll be changing the oil pan I wanted to start fresh with a new oil product. The Pros and Cons .
1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
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paul2748
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by paul2748 »

Every ne has a different opinion on which is the "right" oil> I used Rotella for a number of years until I found out that a well known Yblock engine builder is of the opinion that Rotella is not good for a gasoline engine.. He uses Valvoline 10-40 conventional in all the engine he builds, performance or not. ZDDP is sufficient in his opinion. Not using Rotela any more. Stick with the Brad Penn

I had a new engine built last year. The builder, an old flathead/Yblock/FE guy also does not recommend Rotella.

Also, see this http://www.eatonbalancing.com/2015/02/0 ... ine-power/
1956 Fiesta Red 312
1954 Ford Victoria 312
1948 Ford Convertible Street Rod 302
ICON 1956
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by ICON 1956 »

After seeing reading the Pros/Cons of different oils , I Thank You for all of your input on this topic, I called the PO he told me that he used the Brad Penn oil too, what a coincidence.
1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
goldwinghg
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by goldwinghg »

I'm not sure I see enough benefit,with using the Brad Penn,over the Rotella,with a 2 oz. zddp additive. At $10+ a quart. I guess that is why they give you a choice.
DynoDan’55
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by DynoDan’55 »

Much myth/misinformation is accepted as fact by ‘experts’ that should know better. I suggest you google ‘540 RAT’.
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by DynoDan’55 »

Addendum: Much like with ‘nutritional science’, too many have personal agendas & profit motives to blindly accept their opinions. You must do your own exhaustive research to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. Everyone espousing even the most ‘hairbrained’ reccomendations can cherry-pick/quote studies that will support their point of view. You must decide for yourself which research is most scientifically valid/unbiased. But, keep in mind that large/major oil companies with extensive laboratory facilities no longer really have ‘a dog in the fight’ when it comes to flat-tapped antique motors, so very little product research effort is wasted on us. In effect, antique engines seldom are subjected to the kind of stress that modern cars might experience, so even those still using the cheapest discount grade/quality may offer positive anecdotal testimonials, since no failures were ever experienced. The poor quality of early 2000’s replacement Y-Block camshafts & lifter parts, combined with higher-than-stock valve spring pressures likely also complicated the lubrication-suspect issue.
When I was a teenager back in the early sixties, and selling much used/remanufactered motor oil from a discount gas station for 10 cents-a-quart, the ‘beater’ owners who were my best customers seldom complained! Their rides were already on ‘last legs’, so were never thrashed. Most kept on running for many years burning 10 cent oil (usually followed by a blue cloud). But, the difference between 50s era & contemporary machining tolerances is certainly something to consider when it comes to super-thin viscosities, though many have yet to learn the advantages of volume over pressure (recent convert here).
Walt711
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by Walt711 »

I've been using Royal Purple High Performance Street. It does have zinc in it. I cannot locate it in stores around here so I buy on Amazon.
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Re: Which Motor Oil to use on the Baby Bird 55-57

Post by ICON 1956 »

I've come to the conclusion that any major name brand motor oil that contains a fair amount of zinc would be fine, Of course I always change my oil around 2,000 miles as per the owners manual states, and lube all of the zerk tips (15) in all.
1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
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