Re: Oil Level ? Experience

Posted by H.L. Chauvin on March 21, 1998 at 20:45:30

In Reply to: Re: Oil Level ??? (Final Correction, Please Read)
posted by Tim Wildey on March 21, 1998 at 16:04:41

:
: : My 30 Tudor oil dipstick is 9 1/2" ..... How MUCH oil goes into the Model A and what length dipstick is correct ? Also my A has anyways leaked to much oil from the rear main and flywheel/clutch housing.
: : Please Advise, Thanks
: : Tim Wildey
: :Wilmington, DE
Hi Tim: Have dipstick which came with my 1930 Coupe bought in 1958 -- it's 8" long, however may not be original.
Oil level:4-1/2 quarts oil appear okay even with oil leak if oil changed & checked regularly. After next oil change, allow engine to cool & if oil level is not near the "F" mark, you may try marking oil level on dipstick with hacksaw blade for future oil level reference.
Shared Experience on Engine/Oil Performance: Installed rebuilt engine in same above mentioned coupe in 1959.Per my school-trained-mechanic/uncle's directions, (who started working on cars in 1915), we always added 5 quarts of only "detergent" oil, 10W30, at every oil change with no oil additives; also every 2 years or so, drained oil & added 3 quarts of kerosene to crankcase, removed spark plugs, spun engine fast with starter; flushed cylinders and valves with additional 2 cups of kerosene per spark plug hole & turned engine much slower with crank; drained kerosene, and added 5 quarts of fresh oil to crankcase, re-spun engine with oil, & reinstalled spark plugs.Always filled up with nothing but unleaded gas, ("Amoco" at that time), and added 1/2 pint of top cylinder lubricant, (Marvel Mystery Oil), per tank of gas every fill up.Drove same coupe for 12 years, average 45 mph, top speed 65, stock babbitt engine, no counterweights, no oil filter; however, air filter was oil soaked copper dish washing pad in a perforated tin can, (pad washed in keronsene and re-oiled every 3 months or so). Later stored same coupe for 25 years on a dirt floor in a barn; just recently started engine & afterwards took engine apart.Engine inspection results:Inside of oil pan, pistons, rings, connecting rod, camshaft and crankshaft immaculate; no excess carbon, no damage whatsoever to faces of valves and valve seats, not enough cylinder wear to warrant reboring, however, cylinders were honed and will install new 0.60 rings; inside of gas tank immaculate, no rust, no gum.Valve stems & guides were gummed with oil and rust because of 25 years storage causing backfiring when engine recently started.Will install new SS valves and new valve stems.Detergent oil and unleaded gas keeps engines clean.No doubt the addition of a good oil filtration system and a "new paper type" air filter can help an A engine last even a lot longer between re-builds.
Try to locate exact source of engine rear oil leak first.

E-Mail Comment to Webmaster