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#507435 - 05/04/08 11:21 PM
1941 Plymouth Motor Oil Recommendation
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John Ward
New Member
Registered: 03/03/08
Posts: 2
Loc: Arizona
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Can you help me figure out what motor oil would be correct to use in this car based on what is available in todays world?
Thank you for your assistance in advance.
John
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#507522 - 05/05/08 10:37 AM
Re: 1941 Plymouth Motor Oil Recommendation
[Re: John Ward]
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Rusty_OToole
Member
Registered: 09/12/06
Posts: 1044
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Short answer: 10W30 off the shelf of your local auto parts store.
Long answer: When your car was built all that was available was single grade, non detergent oil. As soon as multi grade detergent oils became available Chrysler Corp recommended them. This was in the late 40s when they were still making the same flathead 6 that your car has. So the correct oil would be 10W30.
In any case, if your car had an oil change any time between 1960 and the present day 9 chances out of 10 it got 10W30 simply because that's what everyone was using.
In the last couple of years the oil companies have cut way down on certain additives that protect the valve mechanism of 1950 to 1990 OHV engines.
You don't need to worry about this because your car has a flathead and is more or less immune to the valve wear problem.
But if you want to be extra careful, Diesel rated oil still has the full additive package. You can use Diesel oil in your engine.
Don't listen to the know it alls who will tell you to use straight non detergent oil, 30 weight or 50 weight oil. They don't know what they are talking about. In the first place the factory never recommended such a thing. In the second place the chance that your car was run on straight non detergent oil all these years is practically nil.
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#508183 - 05/07/08 11:55 PM
Re: 1941 Plymouth Motor Oil Recommendation
[Re: Rusty_OToole]
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Bob Call
Member
Registered: 11/25/07
Posts: 33
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John
Rusty is right about new oils having different additives. EPA regulations have required drastic reductions in heavy metal additives and in particular zinc. The problem is now zinc is being reduced in diesel oils. The loss of the zinc can and has caused cam lobe failure in engines with flat tappet valve lifters. Most all newer cars and trucks since the mid 80's have roller tappet lifters so pressure between the lifter and the cam lobe is not a problem. To be extra safe use a zinc additive with your 10W30 at each oil change. You can get it at most parts stores.
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#508476 - 05/09/08 11:27 AM
Re: 1941 Plymouth Motor Oil Recommendation
[Re: Bob Call]
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Bob Call
Member
Registered: 11/25/07
Posts: 33
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John, et al
See the thread below about "problem with non-zinc oil ..."
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