VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Oil Change question

In the 3 years I've owned my 48, I've been changing the oil every Spring. I'm only putting about 200 - 300 miles on the car each Summer. The oil I'm dumping looks very clean. I'm wondering if I should be running it longer between changes. The engine is her original 216 w/o filter.

Regards:
Oldengineer

You could run it longer and I would, for sure. But I'm cheap, chincy, frugil? (Pick one.)

Anyway, what's the cost of doing it every year whether it needs it or not. You can use WalMart brand and save a couple bucks but still the cost is minimal even if you use Mobil One or some other full cynthetic. Not that those cynthetics will be any better. WalMart brand (with the same backside circle letters) works out to be less than twenty bucks a year.

If I had a clean engine, owing to recent overhaul or rebuild, I would do the oil change(s) each year until well... considering 200-300 miles a year... until doomsday. After all, I suspect that those suspended particles (in the oil) may, over time, settle to the bottom or attach themselves to the oil screen or other parts.

Best,
Charlie

Even todays modern vehicles that have longer oil change intervals (some5-7000 miles) still recommend at least once a year changes regardless of miles driven. Maybe thay have additives that deplete with time.

Oldengineer,

Please take a minute to look at the recent posting on the 37-42 Forum with the heading called "The Rules". You will see a picture their with accompanying advice. Then re-ask the question is it necessary to change the oil seasonally? By the way, when was the last time you had your oil pan off to see what the screen and bottom of the oil pan looked like? Best wishes, Mike

OK - I'll stick with what I've been doing - putting in a fresh load of Castrol High Mileage oil every Spring. No I haven't had the oil pan off, but, I know the engine has had its bottom end worked on, and, a new oil pump installed.


Regards:
Oldengineer