Diesel Engine Oil

[Ron M.]

Thanks to all who suggested using Diesel engine oil in the older engines. I was having a problem with one hydraulic lifter sticking on my 57 at start-up. Since changing to Valvoline 15W-40 the problem has ceased. I had tried different additives from off the shelf, but with little success. Again, THANKS GUYS!

[Philip C.]

Re: Diesel Engine Oil

Thanks to all who suggested using Diesel engine oil in the older engines. I was having a problem with one hydraulic lifter sticking on my 57 at start-up. Since changing to Valvoline 15W-40 the problem has ceased. I had tried different additives from off the shelf, but with little success. Again, THANKS GUYS!

Ron the lifter may not be pumping up, or its "just" out of adjustment by a half turn, if you have hyd lifters, in the old days we put a 1/2 quart transmission fluid in the oil to help the lifters to pump up. Phil 8063

[Duke W.]

Re: Diesel Engine Oil

There is anecdotal evidence over the years that "diesel engine oil" can free sticky lifters. I have no idea if this is true, but C-category oils have traditionally had a higher concentration of detergents/dispersants, so it's certainly possible that they could free up a slightly sticky lifter.

"Sticky lifters" was a problem in early hydraulic lifter engines in the late forties/early fifties before good detergent/dispersant additives were added to oil.

My dad, who was with the Pontiac sales/service organization in the prewar years, always used Union Royal Triton oil in his '49 Fleetwood. He said it had the best detergent/dispersant package of any commercially available oil in the early fifties, which is about the time API began setting motor oil performance standards.

Duke