non detergent 30 weight oil

[coufray]

Hi

My friend has a 1950 case VAI tractor. On my old 1931 ford model a, which required non detergent 30 weight oil. I have 6 quarts left over. Can he use this on his tractor

 

[dodge man]

I’d use something newer, like a 10w-30 if it were me. It will be a detergent oil but moving ahead non detergent oil can be hard to find.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Hi

My friend has a 1950 case VAI tractor. On my old 1931 ford model a, which required non detergent 30 weight oil. I have 6 quarts left over. Can he use this on his tractor

I don't think there will be any problems with using it. It's possible that the 30 nd, is what was recommended for the Case.

 

[RjCorazza]

If the Case has been running non detergent oil for its lifetime, I wouldn't hesitate to put the non detergent oil in it. If it has been running on detergent oil, I would not use the non detergent oil.

 

[Tinhack]

Nondetergent oil is/was made for machines that don't have an oil filter. Particles and carbon would sink to the bottom of the pan and be drained out with the next change. Switching to a detergent oil will keep the junk in suspension and most likely cause a faster wear rate. It can also loosen the sludge in the bottom of the pan and mix that in too. It's better to stick with what was designed for the machine and change it more frequently.

Update: I can remember when ND-30 was $0.29 a quart. Valvoline still makes it at about $7 a quart.

 

[Gem99ultra]

It's my understanding that detergent oil foams more than non-detergent. (Right?) At any rate, I have stayed with the manufacturer's recommendation. On a side note, I've found non-detergent harder to find, and as much or higher in price than detergent.

 

[DarkBlack]

My local Walmart always has this:

 

[5030]

Nondetergent oil is/was made for machines that don't have an oil filter. Particles and carbon would sink to the bottom of the pan and be drained out with the next change. Switching to a detergent oil will keep the junk in suspension and most likely cause a faster wear rate. It can also loosen the sludge in the bottom of the pan and mix that in too. It's better to stick with what was designed for the machine and change it more frequently.

Update: I can remember when ND-30 was $0.29 a quart. Valvoline still makes it at about $7 a quart.

The Autozone house brand is a lot cheaper. I use it 30 weight ND in my pressure washer crankcase.

 

[number two]

My local Walmart always has this:

View attachment 856648

Looks like detergent straight weight for 2-stroke Detroit Diesels.
CF-2.

 

[ultrarunner]

Weight often temp dependant when looking at old manuals.

As a rule when I was selling rebuilt Model A Ford motors the recommendation was modern detergent oil and adding a by-pass spin on filter...

On engines unknown the recommendation was non detergent 40 weight to avoid disturbing sludge.

Of course dropping the pan will give a better indication.

When the Model A was new it was 40 weight non detergent with 500 mile oil change intervals...

 

[newbury]

OFS (Old Fart Story) -
Back about '70 knew a lady w/ an old MG, almost WWII vintage. Northern Vermont so cool temps, probably never got the engine hot in the last 20 years, just a few miles around town. My boss recommended she try detergent oil.
Loosened up the engine so well she needed a rebuild. She was livid.

 

[4570Man]

I’d use something newer, like a 10w-30 if it were me. It will be a detergent oil but moving ahead non detergent oil can be hard to find.

30 weight non detergent oil is common in pumps and maybe other applications. It’s easy to find.

 

[Robin Veerman]

It's my understanding that detergent oil foams more than non-detergent. (Right?)

Wrong. That’s actually one of the many specs that modern oils must meet, eliminate foaming. Air bubbles don’t lubricate. If your favourite oil foams, you’d better switch to another brand asap

 

[CliffordK]

Can it be used as hydraulic oil?

My CAT recommends 30 Wt Hydraulic oil, and as far as I can tell, it is just ordinary oil.

 

[5030]

i don't believe so but you decide for yourself, hydraulic fluid has special additives in it that 30 weight motor oil don't, i believe anyway. i wouldn't but it's your dime, not mine

 

[ultrarunner]

My 50 year old CAT D3 dozer specified 20 weight motor oil.

 

[5030]

50 years ago, oil chemistry was a lot different than it is today, but I'm sure you realize that. Heck, when I was growing up, there was no multi grade motor oils nor did synthetic exist either.

Back then you used Quaker State or Pennzoil straight weight in pasteboard cans with metal ends and opened them with a church key. I still have some on the shelf and I'm sure they have collectors value as well.

 

[DarkBlack]

Yup. Cat was good about approving a single oil for engine and hydraulics, to simplify

 

[ultrarunner]

I confess to using universal for my needs.

The CAT service counter said superior the motor oil

 

[5030]

Having retired from a dealership that was Cat certified, I early on found out that parts counter jockeys aren't very smart when it comes to required lubricants and really just want to upsell you on what they stock and today, most part counter jockeys are paid on salary plus commission so it's in their best (financial) interest to upsell you....

If you want the real skinny, ask one of the certified mechanics, not a counter jockey.

I'll leave it at that.