Which oil to use?

RichZ · Apr 25, 2001

I'd like to do an oil change on my 1951 Ferguson TO-20. I've only had it for about a month. I've heard that on old engines, you should not use detergent oil, because it will clean all the gunk off the rings, and you'll lose compression. What grade oil should I use? Where can you find non-detergent oil? Also, the tractor does not have a disposable oil filter. What do I clean the oil filter with? You guys have gotten me this far, thanks for all your help, and thanks in advance for these answers!
Rich

geneP · Apr 25, 2001

Rich, I'll offer my non-professional insight on the detergent/non-detergent issue. IF the tractor has been run on non-detergent oil for years it is possibly caked with hardened sludge on the inside. Switching to detergent could possibly start to clean up the sludge and release chunks into the oiling system, causing blockages. Non detergent oil is relatively hard to find, so it is possible that it has been using detergent oil. If possible, look inside the engine (maybe pull the valve cover) for sludge buildup. That should tell you what to use. I would start using 30 wt oil. If the pressure holds up reasonably well (20 psi or so) and oil consumption is low, continue with it. If the oil pressure falls really low, then consider a 40 wt oil. The viscosities are summer wt oils, so if you are in a cold climate, you'll probably want to drop back in the winter.

Bird · Apr 25, 2001

<font color=blue>Non detergent oil is relatively hard to find</font color=blue>

I've never had a problem finding 30W non-detergent oil at auto parts stores; usually buy mine at AutoZone.

Bird

jdkid · May 12, 2001

Hi ya
I may be wrong here but i have a funny feeling that old motors run on high ash/detergent oils but maybe wrong as for finding most makers make low ash oils ,hang on is it petrol? i looked up a book of tests and only listing is for tea20 1951 but does not list oils alot of the tractors of that time run 20SAE with a DS or MS and DG rating hope someone can shead some light for you
catch ya
JD Kid

jdkid · May 12, 2001

hi ya's
i had a look at a site that might be ok for anyone as long as you can get mobil oil in the USA or you could crossref it to your oil dealer

www.mobil.co.nz

go there and click on lube charts on right hand side of page then put in your info
catch ya
JD Kid

JATO_RaT · May 20, 2001

What do use non detergent oil for Bird? Rat...

Bird · May 21, 2001

Rat, you know I repair/rebuild automotive air tools and the impact wrenches with the oil plug on the side use non-detergent motor oil to lubricate the impact mechanism. Some makes and models call for 20W and some for 30W, but in the heat of Texas I put 30W in all of them. And don't ask me why non-detergent; I still don't know; that's just what the manufacturers recommend. And lest anyone misunderstand, that's just on the ones that have the oil plug on the hammer case. They all need a gum solvent air tool oil in the air intake every day, not motor oil.

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Jun 13, 2001

Rich,

What oil did you decide to use?

You have to remember the oil's that were available 50 years ago got published in the tractor's manuals and obviously have long been superceded by today's modern formula's...

Since it's such cheap insurance, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the major diesel oil brands.

I buy whatever is cheaper at the time I need it... I just purchased some Pennzoil Long-Life @ $1.24 qt. @ Wal-Mart..., however most times I had used Shell Rotella...

RichZ · Jun 14, 2001

John, I'm using 30W non-detergent oil that I get at my local tractor parts store. I think its Kendall.
I lucked out, the store is about 2 miles away, and the owner has been in the business for over 40 years. He's very familiar with my old Ferguson, and even stocks the parts for it, because there are alot of Fergies in my area. He even knows the people I bought my place from, and knows my farm, so he advises me on everything I need. On top of that he knows the guy I bought my tractor from, and has been selling him oil and parts for the six years that he owned it! It's nice to have someone like that when you're new to the world of tractors!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jun 14, 2001

Don't you just love it....!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I purchased a colonial home in S.Bethlehem for investment purposes last Nov. from a 94 year old woman. Two days later the woman died. It's a little hamlet like Mayberry. They don't deliver mail to the house, you have to go "downtown" to to country post office and get the mail.

All the old timers tell me stories upon stories of the history of the home and surrounding properties and people...

Life is simple. Yeah...I love it!