Conflicting information on what oil to use

[aceofspades1]

I have a 1956 Standard Super Ten with a 948cc OHV 14 engine.

Have received lots of conflicting information on which oil is best to use.

The owners manual (over 70 years old) recommends a low viscosity oil (e.g 0W-20 or 5W-20).

The gentleman I bought it off recommended 10W-40...

Then, to top it all off, Google says "For a 1956 Standard Ten (948cc OHV engine), use a traditional 20W-50 multigrade mineral-based classic engine oil to protect flat-tappet components"

Struggling to confirm based on online information.

Any advice?

[Haddock82]

Try using this:
https://oilfinder.classicoils.co.uk/home/uk

Or give them a call and they can look it up 01954 231 668
https://classicoilsshop.co.uk/

[aceofspades1]

Haddock82 said:

Try using this:
https://oilfinder.classicoils.co.uk/home/uk

Or give them a call and they can look it up 01954 231 668
https://classicoilsshop.co.uk/

Cheers! Will give them a go.

[aeropilot]

Call Penrite Classic Oils at Bicester.

https://penriteclassicoils.co.uk/product-category/...

I'd imagine its the Classic Light or Classic Medium you'd need.

[oakdale]

aceofspades1 said:

I have a 1956 Standard Super Ten with a 948cc OHV 14 engine.

Have received lots of conflicting information on which oil is best to use.

The owners manual (over 70 years old) recommends a low viscosity oil (e.g 0W-20 or 5W-20).

The gentleman I bought it off recommended 10W-40...

Then, to top it all off, Google says "For a 1956 Standard Ten (948cc OHV engine), use a traditional 20W-50 multigrade mineral-based classic engine oil to protect flat-tappet components"

Struggling to confirm based on online information.

Any advice?

I find it hard to believe that the handbook recommends those oils as neither were available until decades after the car was made, are you sure you're reading it correctly?

The car will have had 20/50 put in it for a good part of its life but you could use 10/40 or 10/30 for a bit better fuel economy.

[FlyVintage]

The amount of ZDDP in the formula and you changing it frequently will make more difference than the actual viscosity. Since the PO used 10W/40, it would seem sensible to continue with that.

[Doesitdrive]

20w 50 as it would have had new IMO.

Is a very slightly better fuel consumption, not sure it would improve, going to make any difference with the use the car has, talking pennies really.

Going to a thicker grade on old engines or cars with miles always worked for me, and isn't 20w 50 recommend for older engines.

[aeropilot]

oakdale said:

aceofspades1 said:

I have a 1956 Standard Super Ten with a 948cc OHV 14 engine.

Have received lots of conflicting information on which oil is best to use.

The owners manual (over 70 years old) recommends a low viscosity oil (e.g 0W-20 or 5W-20).

The gentleman I bought it off recommended 10W-40...

Then, to top it all off, Google says "For a 1956 Standard Ten (948cc OHV engine), use a traditional 20W-50 multigrade mineral-based classic engine oil to protect flat-tappet components"

Struggling to confirm based on online information.

Any advice?

I find it hard to believe that the handbook recommends those oils as neither were available until decades after the car was made, are you sure you're reading it correctly?

The car will have had 20/50 put in it for a good part of its life but you could use 10/40 or 10/30 for a bit better fuel economy.

Yep, mid 1950's most people were still using 30 monograde for summer use, and changing to a 10-20 for winter use.

If you only use the car in the summer months, a classic mineral 20-50 might be the better option, but a mineral 10-40 will give best choice of options to buy, such as classic GTX etc.

[aceofspades1]

Many thanks for the above. I must have read the information wrong.

20W-50 sounds about right.

[Anoymously101]

Multigrade oils were a new thing in the 50s. LIkely the original spec was a straight oil, perhaps with a summer and winter viscosity. I remember the Bristol my father had from that era being 40 weight in summer and 30 in winter.

[Anoymously101]

Multigrade oils were a new thing in the 50s. LIkely the original spec was a straight oil, perhaps with a summer and winter viscosity. I remember the Bristol my father had from that era being 40 weight in summer and 30 in winter.

[HJG]

ZDDP of around at least 1000ppm is necessary in these engines. The oil manufacturer should be able to tell you. Millers do good oils for these types of engines.

[Magnum 475]

I’ve owned many variants of this engine over the years.

20W-50 every time, as per original spec.

[steveo3002]

as the others say i cannot believe those grades were around back then

20-50 is standard fare and modern stuff will be way better than ye olde oils were , guessing you wont be needing cold weather starts and doing track days , it will be fine

[aceofspades1]

Magnum 475 said:

I ve owned many variants of this engine over the years.

20W-50 every time, as per original spec.

Thank you, useful to know

[Sardonicus]

FlyVintage said:

The amount of ZDDP in the formula and you changing it frequently will make more difference than the actual viscosity. Since the PO used 10W/40, it would seem sensible to continue with that.

This ^ personally I prefer something that moves a little quicker when its cold than a 20/50 weight oil agree about the ZDDP thing too although I doubt the cam profile/lift will be very hard on those critical component faces requiring proper levels of ZDDP/Zinc post break-in

Edited by Sardonicus on Tuesday 25th August 10:09