Oil

What brand and grade of oil is reccomoned in 1924 6 cylinder Essex also distributor points gap thanks Ray cox

Comments

  • Don't know if this helps but I have a 1939 six cylinder and I use Shell 15W40. Its a 212 CID splasher six The old engines need zinc and that has it. Not sure and points and gap for yours but a search on the web may yield results. Also if you haven't already done so please consider joining the HET Club. You will find lots of info and people willing to help and give sound advice.  Alex Burr has a web site devoted to hudson manuals also and that may help you. 
  • Points gap is best at .017.   You don't need a high-zinc oil in your Essex, a good quality 10W-40 is fine. 
  • Thanks for your info 
  • I recall zink was to reduce wear on lifters and cam lobes.
    An Essex has roller lifters, much less pressure.
  • Zddp wasn’t even developed until the 1940’s.. more than a decade after this engine design was introduced into service.
  • tigermoth said:
    Zddp wasn’t even developed until the 1940’s.. more than a decade after this engine design was introduced into service.
    Maybe that's why Zddp was added to oil, they might have been seeing abnormal engine wear after a decade.

  • David, I would recommend that you change to a Zinc additive oil.   The lifters and cams are very susceptible to wear in these motors.