VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1931 194 Oil Specs

I have recently rebuilt my 194, reused the camshaft, installed aluminum pistons, had the bearings re-babbited. I was told by my machine shop to use a break in oil with high zinc content. After the break in of 200 miles, they suggest continued use of oil with high levels of zinc. Any recommendations of weight, spec, and or mixing some zinc supplements to convetional oil?

Based on all the Recommendations on here I Use Conventional 10w-30 of the Brand type.

Using it on my initial engine Break-in and will change it soon, and put in some fresh 10w-30 at that time. Less than $20 for 5 quart Container at local AutoParts

Others may have other opinions...

Previous Post about this:
Engine break in
Changing Engine Oil

Oh Yeah, won't Hold the Packers Against Ya

I have always used Penzoil of Quaker State 10W30 in our 31. I have over 40,000 miles on it since restoration. Last winter I checked the rod and main bearings. I did not need to remove any shims. I broke it in on a round trip to Hershey first time out. I think I drove about 1,500 miles that first trip.

Hello GreenBayPacker14,
Check out- classiccarmotoroil.com - read what they have to say.

If you want to use an oil with more Zinc for break-in get Quaker State Defy. Available at Walmart for a reasonable price. After 1000 miles or so any 10W-30 oil has more than enough Zinc for a low valve train load in a 1931 automobile where actually no Zinc is necessary.

In our diesel engines we needed to run oil containing Zink or ZZDP. We found the best oil for this was Shell Rotella or Chevron Delo 400 both available at Walmart. If I remember right the API rating on the container was " CJ-4 ". I use Shell Rotella 15-40 in my 32.