Synthetic oil use in early Hudsons?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi guys! missed ya. I was discussing having to order special oil from the internet to replace my (startup) oil so I would have the proper type for my year car(28) and, It was suggested why not use synthetic oil. It's a superoir grade, you know, no thermal breakdown, outstanding wear characteristics etc.. My inquiry is, why not be able to use this type? Anybody ever come across specific reasons as to why not, or maybe why to use it? I'm thinking, why not. It is after all, better than regular oil in all respects. Right?

hoping to hear some comments. Thanks Phil

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Better than regular, much better than the oils used in 1928....and very expensive. Since your car doesn't have a filter, you'd probably want to change the oil fairly regularly (at least once per year) to get rid of any junk that's gotten into it. So why pay premium for something you're going to change in a year?



    Me, I've been using Rotella T (Shell) oil because it supposedly has some of the zinc that's all but gone out of oils, lately. This is not a premium oil.



    But I can't think of a reason in the world why your car wouldn't love it if you used Mobil 1 in it all the time!
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    I would not recomend any Synthetic Brand of Oil. Check all the previous post for more details. Briefly, Syn Oils are designed for newer engines with many rollerized components..The Synth claims for anti-wear is in rollerized engines)..



    In fact even 'Regular motor oils' has had MOST of the original 'anti-wear additives removed (especially Zinc) because its harmful to Cat Converters. Last yr I read many articles stating Classic/Antique oil recomendation was to use Diesel Oils, or a Zinc 'Additive' available from GM (and others), or use Racing (off Hwy) oil to get some wear protection in the older motors.



    This Yr EPA has reduced the (Zinc) Amounts in Diesel oil as well and will get even more strict each Yr forcing Car Enthusiasts to use Additives, Race Oil, or special Classic Car Oil (enroute).... The most critical loss of Additives in oil is on initial Start Up on rebuilt motors...



    To your Point, Oils did improve since the early days only to get diluted lately by mandates....



    Just my opinion... Ck out all the other Oil threads on the Topic then decide.... Good Luck
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I don't mean to hijack the thread, but one possible solution to the decreasing lack of zinc in today's oils, is to use regular oil and add a zinc additive.



    (Before this, I should say that there are still a few oils with zinc in them, specifically Brad Penn racing oils, out of Pennsylvania).



    Tow such additives are GM's " EOS" assembly lubricant (which was briefly discontinued last year and is now purportedly back on the market) and something called "ZDDPlus". It's $10 for one 40-oz. bottle of ZDDPlus, enough for one crankcase-full. Word of mouth has it, that you require less ZDDPlus than EOS in your crankcase, but I"ll let others argue that. However, here is the ZDDPlus website, if you're interested in hearing their "pitch": http://www.zddplus.com/



    HRDP_0606_05_z+flat_tappet_cam_tech+assembly_lube.jpg



    hppp_0802_08_z+oil_formulation_and_flat_tappet_cams+shell_rotella_T.jpg



    hppp_0802_15_z+oil_formulation_and_flat_tappet_cams+brad_penn.jpg



    ZddPlus2.jpg
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Phil, the main argument against using synthetic oil in Hudsons is because of the unknown ability of the synthetics to fling around internally and fill the main bearing gutters. My undestanding is that synthetic oil is "Stickier", in that it adheres to the surfaces, hence enhancing th elubricating qualities. this stops it flinging off items such as cams, which in modern high speed engines are under greater stress. In our engines we need oils that will freely flow around the motor, as in the main bearing channels and feed holes, as there is no pressure pump to force the oil around. Most modern multigrades will still perform this better than the original "straight" viscosity oils. I have personally used Castrol GTX for many years in my 1928 Essex and 1929Hudson super six. This is a 20W-50 multigrade. All modern engines have detergents in them, and this is good, as it keeps the inside surfaces of the engine free of sludge build-up. The forum has been here before, and there will be vociferous arguments both for and against detergent oils I know, but as the old saying goes "The proof of the pudding is in the eating". I driven my Essex for 52 years now, and used detergent oils ever sincxe they have been on the market.

    Geoff.

    Geoff.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Geoff C., N.Z. wrote:
    Phil, the main argument against using synthetic oil in Hudsons is because of the unknown ability of the synthetics to fling around internally and fill the main bearing gutters. My undestanding is that synthetic oil is "Stickier", in that it adheres to the surfaces, hence enhancing th elubricating qualities. this stops it flinging off items such as cams, which in modern high speed engines are under greater stress. In our engines we need oils that will freely flow around the motor, as in the main bearing channels and feed holes, as there is no pressure pump to force the oil around. Most modern multigrades will still perform this better than the original "straight" viscosity oils. I have personally used Castrol GTX for many years in my 1928 Essex and 1929Hudson super six. This is a 20W-50 multigrade. All modern engines have detergents in them, and this is good, as it keeps the inside surfaces of the engine free of sludge build-up. The forum has been here before, and there will be vociferous arguments both for and against detergent oils I know, but as the old saying goes "The proof of the pudding is in the eating". I driven my Essex for 52 years now, and used detergent oils ever sincxe they have been on the market.

    Geoff.

    Geoff.
    Geoff your thoughts are the same as mine exactly. Plus you are an old guy also like me. I have used them for years in my Model T's and my Terraplane. This oil thing is something we have seen in use, not something we read in a book about.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Geoff, I've got Castrol 20/50 in my engine now. I guess for the time being I'll just leave it in. Thanks everyone. This site rocks. Phil
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    For another take on what oil to run in your Hudson, go to Morris Lubricants website and click on "Car and Van" on the left side. Then click on "Vintage and Classic" on the left side and then click on "Full Details" in center on screen.



    http://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/
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