VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 What kind of oil for the 490ties?

Any suggestions for:
engine, thrust bearing, clutch, gear box, rear axle.

Thanks for soon replies!

Lubrication for the 490 is the same as the later 4-cylinders. The final "law" on this subject is the chart located in the center of the owner's manual. The later 4-cylinders featured a wall chart of the same information as the center lubrication chart.

Just follow the charts and substitute 85W90 for the 600 weight oil.

Ray,

I just purchased some 600W, is the 85-90W better? Or just becasue it is easier to get?

John

Ray,
I would suggest the higher viscosity 90W-140 which is generally available as a substitute for 600W oil. I have also mixed in some chassis grease to make it a bit thicker. The higher viscosity does not find its way out as easily.

I bought a Qt. of the famed 600Wt. gear grease sold by some of the Model T and Model A vendors for $7.50 plus shipping. I checked it for color, physical density (grams /CC) and viscosity with a viscosity meter used to check drilling fluids, the greases even have exactly same smell!
The high dollar 600 Wt. stuff checked out exactly the same as my multipurpose 90-140 gear grease I got from Tractor Supply for $25 for a 5 gallon can with a pump.... so that works out to 20 quarts for around a buck and a quarter per Qt. I can bottle it up and sell it for $6.49 plus $8.00 per Qt. shipping and handleing, if you really want the 600 Wt. stuff. After changing the transmissions in two cars and the rear ends in three cars I still have over 3 gallons left. I can use some old 1 Qt. Quaker State motor oil bottles. Tractor Supply Company has a lot of the stuff.

Chippers recomendation is a viable solution. If you have the 600, use it.

Thanks for the advice. I will read the manual, and spread the news.

My experiencies are as follows:
Motor oil: Straight 50 seems OK, I have uset it about 1000 kilometers.
Gear box and rear axle: Penrite Transoil 250, www.penrite.co.uk. They say it is like the 600W or Steam cylinder Oil. I have just tried it 300 kilometers, it seems to work OK, and it leaks much less than 85W90 that I used before.
Clutch leather: Pure neatsfoot oil, Fiebing. Seems OK.
Thrust bearing: I have used modern motor oil, 10W30 or 15W40, but it leaks very fast. So my question is: Do I dare use a thicker oil, for instance the straight 50 or even the Transoil 250?

I would not recommend straight #50 oil for any Chevrolet engine.
For the older engines #30 for summer use would be my choice.

Do you think there is a risk that the thicker straight 50 oil does not splash enough to lubricate the main bearings etc? I can see the risk if you make many cold starts and usually drive just a short way. But if you usually drive at least say 20 miles - is there still such a risk? Or are there any other risks using straight 50 oil? The advantage with the straight 50 oil is less leak.

The oiling system in that engine depends on the oil being "thrown around" to the necessary locations and that is why #50 would not be recommended. Less leaks indiactes that less oil is being moved arond the internal parts.Not good. Under normal conditions after 20 miles the oil is only getting near the normal operating temperature. More oil passing thru the bearings will cool the bearings better and actually reduce the oil temperature. If the engine is "clean" inside modern 10W-30 oil would be the best choice if the normal temperature outside is under 80 degrees.