Oil and Antifreeze Recommendations
By Auto Restorer magazine and Sunbeam Specialties via Budd Bennion, Seattle
- On "vintage flat-tappet cars, brand and viscosity range of the oil isn't as important as the ZDDP content." For example, Mobile 115W-50 with a nominal phosphorus level of 1200 PPM and zinc level of 1300 PPM can be used without additives.
- Representatives from Champion Racing Oil advise that the shelf life of motor oil was about 5-6 years. At that point the additives in the oil start to precipitate out of suspension.
- Very important! Never use an engine oil supplement or "high mileage oil" to try to reduce engine oil leaks. These additives work by swelling the rubber seals, which this engine does not have. However, the timing chain tensioner is rubber, and it will swell and be destroyed, requiring an engine teardown.
- Regarding antifreeze, Prestone tech line (800-890-2075) advised that, while there is not hard and fast number, the shelf live of Prestone is usually considered to be about 5 years. At that point some of the additives in Prestone start to precipitate out of suspension. Also on the backside of each container there is a date code. The code is two letters, followed by four numbers, which are followed by another letter. The letters are in house Prestone code. The first of the four digits indicate the year and the next three are the Julian date, i.e., the number of the day of that specific year. Example HA4043B means this produce was produced on the 43rd day of the year 2014.
- On "vintage flat-tappet cars, brand and viscosity range of the oil isn't as important as the ZDDP content." For example, Mobile 115W-50 with a nominal phosphorus level of 1200 PPM and zinc level of 1300 PPM can be used without additives.
- Representatives from Champion Racing Oil advise that the shelf life of motor oil was about 5-6 years. At that point the additives in the oil start to precipitate out of suspension.
- Very important! Never use an engine oil supplement or "high mileage oil" to try to reduce engine oil leaks. These additives work by swelling the rubber seals, which this engine does not have. However, the timing chain tensioner is rubber, and it will swell and be destroyed, requiring an engine teardown.
- Regarding antifreeze, Prestone tech line (800-890-2075) advised that, while there is not hard and fast number, the shelf live of Prestone is usually considered to be about 5 years. At that point some of the additives in Prestone start to precipitate out of suspension. Also on the backside of each container there is a date code. The code is two letters, followed by four numbers, which are followed by another letter. The letters are in house Prestone code. The first of the four digits indicate the year and the next three are the Julian date, i.e., the number of the day of that specific year. Example HA4043B means this produce was produced on the 43rd day of the year 2014.
