Lubricants
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- Minor Friendly
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:14 pm
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Lubricants
Hi All, it's lubrication time for the old girl and was hoping someone could give me a rundown of the modern lubricants available for all the lube points. Obviously I don't want to use inferior oils,grease etc on her. I have an old Castrol lubrication chart showing me all the various grease,oil points etc,but as you know most of, it not all lubricants won't be available no. I will be replacing all the nipple points once I get the new oils/ grease etc as well. So a recap please, best modern oils for:(engine,gearbox,axles etc,/compatible greases and general lubricants please. Thanks buddies, Tom.
- svenedin
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1916
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:27 am
- Location: Surrey
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Re: Lubricants
I hesitate to answer this because I don't want to start arguments! I can tell you what I use but I am by no means claiming this is the best and certainly not an exhaustive list. Everyone has their own favourites.
Engine Oil
20w/50 for Classic Cars
Examples: Castrol Classic XL 20w/50 (low detergent); Millers Pistoneeze Classic 20w/50 (moderate/high detergent)
Oils designed for classic cars use a Zinc compound called ZDDP as a major anti-wear compound. ZDDP is not compatible with catalytic converters so it is not used in oils designed for modern cars which use more exotic (and much more expensive) additives. Oil changes are frequent in classic cars whereas modern cars often use oils with extended service intervals.
Gearbox Oil
Same as for engine. Do NOT use EP oils
Differential
EP90 gear oil
This must be GL4 or if GL5 the oil must specify that it is safe for brass/bronze ("yellow metal safe"). The wrong oil will destroy the diff internally.
Examples: Comma EP90 GL4; Millers Classic Differential Oil EP90 GL5 (yellow metal safe)
General Lubrication
Trunnions, steering arms, propellor shaft universal joints, handbrake cables
Examples: Castrol Moly Grease, Castrol LM Grease
Steering Rack
EP90 oil as per differential
Front Wheel Bearings
Example: Castrol LM Grease
SU carburettor dashpot
Engine oil or proprietary dashpot oil
Armstrong Lever Action Dampers
Examples: Dynalite Shock Absorber OIl; Moss Shock Absorber Oil; Penrite Shocker Oil No 1
Other Lubricants
Red Rubber Grease
Silicone grease (poly bushes)
Copper grease (anti-seize)
General purpose LM (lithium) grease
Spray Lithium grease (useful for hard to access mechanisms e.g internal door mechanism)
Dry PTFE spray lubricant (e.g starter motor Bendix)
Tools
1) Decent grease gun. A flexible grease outlet is useful
2) A small oil pump makes filling the diff and gearbox much easier.
3) A small pump action oiler for the oil nipple on the steering rack
Techniques
Proper technique is important especially with such job as greasing trunnions. Search forum.
NB: WD40 is neither a lubricant nor a release agent. It is a water dispersant. It dries to a sticky mess and is not a very good release agent. Use PlusGas as release agent and the proper lubricant for lubrication. Keep the WD40 for cleaning garden tools.
Stephen
Engine Oil
20w/50 for Classic Cars
Examples: Castrol Classic XL 20w/50 (low detergent); Millers Pistoneeze Classic 20w/50 (moderate/high detergent)
Oils designed for classic cars use a Zinc compound called ZDDP as a major anti-wear compound. ZDDP is not compatible with catalytic converters so it is not used in oils designed for modern cars which use more exotic (and much more expensive) additives. Oil changes are frequent in classic cars whereas modern cars often use oils with extended service intervals.
Gearbox Oil
Same as for engine. Do NOT use EP oils
Differential
EP90 gear oil
This must be GL4 or if GL5 the oil must specify that it is safe for brass/bronze ("yellow metal safe"). The wrong oil will destroy the diff internally.
Examples: Comma EP90 GL4; Millers Classic Differential Oil EP90 GL5 (yellow metal safe)
General Lubrication
Trunnions, steering arms, propellor shaft universal joints, handbrake cables
Examples: Castrol Moly Grease, Castrol LM Grease
Steering Rack
EP90 oil as per differential
Front Wheel Bearings
Example: Castrol LM Grease
SU carburettor dashpot
Engine oil or proprietary dashpot oil
Armstrong Lever Action Dampers
Examples: Dynalite Shock Absorber OIl; Moss Shock Absorber Oil; Penrite Shocker Oil No 1
Other Lubricants
Red Rubber Grease
Silicone grease (poly bushes)
Copper grease (anti-seize)
General purpose LM (lithium) grease
Spray Lithium grease (useful for hard to access mechanisms e.g internal door mechanism)
Dry PTFE spray lubricant (e.g starter motor Bendix)
Tools
1) Decent grease gun. A flexible grease outlet is useful
2) A small oil pump makes filling the diff and gearbox much easier.
3) A small pump action oiler for the oil nipple on the steering rack
Techniques
Proper technique is important especially with such job as greasing trunnions. Search forum.
NB: WD40 is neither a lubricant nor a release agent. It is a water dispersant. It dries to a sticky mess and is not a very good release agent. Use PlusGas as release agent and the proper lubricant for lubrication. Keep the WD40 for cleaning garden tools.
Stephen
Last edited by svenedin on Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
- geoberni
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3606
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
- Location: North Leicestershire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Lubricants
Stephen has given you a comprehensive list.
I would do some research before making rash statements:
Almost everything is still available, perhaps not the specific Brands, but the types of lubricants are.
The reason being that lubricants and the items they lubricate are based on the technology of their original era.
Modern engine oils for example, designed for finer tolerances and component materials of the modern computer designed engine, have very different physical attributes to engines of 60+ years ago.
These days, to meet manufacturer's requirements, you have to get different Oil for a Ford from a GM or BMW, because the oil specification is part of the total engine design.
Put modern oil in and you are going to harm the engine.
Gear Oils are similarly era dependant.The materials and tolerances of a modern transmission system are far different to the pre1970s so use 'modern' lubricants at your peril.
Antifreeze/Coolant is also to a totally different technology, in fact there are about 5 different standards now, which are not compatible.
The materials used in a Minor Cooling system will not thank you for using Organic or Hybrid Coolant, it has to be 'Inorganic Additive Technology' or IAT, don't use OAT, HOAT, SiHOAT, PHOAT or any other combination.
Stick with what the Charts say.
I would do some research before making rash statements:
Nothing could be further from the truth.Obviously I don't want to use inferior oils,grease etc on her. I have an old Castrol lubrication chart showing me all the various grease,oil points etc,but as you know most of, it not all lubricants won't be available no (sic).
Almost everything is still available, perhaps not the specific Brands, but the types of lubricants are.
The reason being that lubricants and the items they lubricate are based on the technology of their original era.
Modern engine oils for example, designed for finer tolerances and component materials of the modern computer designed engine, have very different physical attributes to engines of 60+ years ago.
These days, to meet manufacturer's requirements, you have to get different Oil for a Ford from a GM or BMW, because the oil specification is part of the total engine design.
Put modern oil in and you are going to harm the engine.
Gear Oils are similarly era dependant.The materials and tolerances of a modern transmission system are far different to the pre1970s so use 'modern' lubricants at your peril.
Antifreeze/Coolant is also to a totally different technology, in fact there are about 5 different standards now, which are not compatible.
The materials used in a Minor Cooling system will not thank you for using Organic or Hybrid Coolant, it has to be 'Inorganic Additive Technology' or IAT, don't use OAT, HOAT, SiHOAT, PHOAT or any other combination.
Stick with what the Charts say.
Basil the 1955 series II
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- Minor Friendly
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:14 pm
- Location: Liverpool UK
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Re: Lubricants
Thanks for the replies,most useful. How do I download photos by the way. Cheers.
- geoberni
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3606
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
- Location: North Leicestershire
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Re: Lubricants
To add images, when you're writing a post/reply, scroll down a little and the net part down has 2 tabs, OPTIONS & ATTACHMENTS.
Attachments let's you add files.
If on a device where you can have multiple screens displayed, i.e PC, Laptop, Tablet, then you can also Drag and Drop.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Lubricants
However if you actually meant download, then you should be able to perform a right click or (on touch devices) long tap to get the required 'save as image' or whatever it may be called.
I know I bookmarked svenedin's high-res lubrication chart photo from his other thread since it saves looking in the handbook
[img]download/file.php?avatar=1401_1646150056.jpg[/img]
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- Minor Friendly
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:14 pm
- Location: Liverpool UK
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Lubricants
Thanks for info
- Attachments
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- Screenshot_20240207-141909.png (808.04 KiB) Viewed 716 times
- svenedin
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1916
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:27 am
- Location: Surrey
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Lubricants
Hello Chief, if that chart is useful here it is without my scribble on itChief wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:14 pmHowever if you actually meant download, then you should be able to perform a right click or (on touch devices) long tap to get the required 'save as image' or whatever it may be called.
I know I bookmarked svenedin's high-res lubrication chart photo from his other thread since it saves looking in the handbook
Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
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- Minor Friendly
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:14 pm
- Location: Liverpool UK
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Lubricants
Yeh,very useful thanks