I just bought a 1957 Ford 1841 industrial tractor and the previous owner said not to use multi viscosity oil in it but to stick with 30W. It gets pretty cold here and it will not crank well ( still on 6 volt system ) and won"t start. Will multi viscosity oil really harm it? Sorry, its my first tractor.
- Thread starter 1841 Ford
- Start date
I use shell rotella 15w40 oil in my older tractor. Works great, rotella still has zinc additive like the oils did back in the day.
You will enjoy your tractor a great deal more if you change to 12 volts. Most old 6 volt starters will last a long time running 12 volts. At least my old ac d-14 did.
You will enjoy your tractor a great deal more if you change to 12 volts. Most old 6 volt starters will last a long time running 12 volts. At least my old ac d-14 did.
We use a good 15-40 multi-grade oil, usually Rotella if it costs comparable here for our old tractors. Could your previous owner have been using a straight 30wt NON-detergent oil, and forgot to include that part? If that is the case you may be in for a dirty messy oil situation for a few filter changes, as the detergent additives melt and put accumulated gunk into suspension in the oil. I have had 2 such experiences, but both worked out OK, as soon as I discovered the source of the dirty oil, and kept changing filters. If the engine is OK it will live through it, and you will be happier with the multi-grade oil.
If he was using a non-detergent type of straight 30 then there might be some worry of a lot of sludge coming loose in the engine when you start using a detergent type of oil. That said... the probability that he's been using a non-detergent oil is slim to none.
I'd simply use a diesel rated 15W40 or if you have very cold weather use a diesel rated 10W30 and monitor the condition of the oil and watch the pressure. Mabey a few changes will be in order if there is some sludge build-up... otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.
Rod
I'd simply use a diesel rated 15W40 or if you have very cold weather use a diesel rated 10W30 and monitor the condition of the oil and watch the pressure. Mabey a few changes will be in order if there is some sludge build-up... otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.
Rod
steamnjn23
Member
I use Rotella 15/40 in everything I own. My son runs Rotella in his race motorcycles on the advise of his mechanic. No problems noted with anything. It makes oil changes and top offs real simple.
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
I have a 12 volt system and I run 10W30 in mine. I tried 15W40, which was fine down to around -10F, but the tractor wouldn't crank at -20. I've never had any starting problems with 10W30.
Consider that the majority of your engine's wear occurs at start-up, and it makes a lot of sense to run a multi-viscosity oil.
Consider that the majority of your engine's wear occurs at start-up, and it makes a lot of sense to run a multi-viscosity oil.
15/40 has a cold pour point like 30 oil.I cant use 15/40 in my Ford pickup.Erratic oil pressure readings and raps on startup made me drain the 15/40.10/ 30 stopped the noise.Owners manual says 15/40 is ok above 32 degrees.195,000 miles and a worn oil pump can make a difference.My wife had a high milage 89 Mercury that did the same thing with 15/40 when the weather turned cold.If you thing 15/40 is good put a sample in a jar into the freezer.Put a sample of 10/30 along side it and come back and tell us what you saw.
Bill Radford
Member
Rotella 15-40 in my 641, my F 250 powerstroke,the lawnmower, even my old Harley Davidson ElectraGlide.
We buy the stuff by the bucketsful.
We buy the stuff by the bucketsful.
Hey 1841,
Welcome to the Ford tractor Forum! There are some members here that have the olde "Iron Head" HD Industrials',like yours! Did yours come with the Backhoe?At one time yours must have had the cable acuated steering.
You've come to the right place for info on your tractor. Many knowledgeable people here!
I have an 1841 and also have quite a few extra parts, cheap, if you need some!(my e-mail is open)
We also love pictures! As a new member I think you have to wait 4 or 5 days before you can post pictures, but after that we'd love to see what she looks like!!
Welcome Aboard GT65
Welcome to the Ford tractor Forum! There are some members here that have the olde "Iron Head" HD Industrials',like yours! Did yours come with the Backhoe?At one time yours must have had the cable acuated steering.
You've come to the right place for info on your tractor. Many knowledgeable people here!
I have an 1841 and also have quite a few extra parts, cheap, if you need some!(my e-mail is open)
We also love pictures! As a new member I think you have to wait 4 or 5 days before you can post pictures, but after that we'd love to see what she looks like!!
Welcome Aboard GT65
32 coupe,
I d[d'nt know manufacturers,Ford or others, recommended 16/40 for there vehicles! Especially in the colder months you need to get the oil up to the valves and lifters. Most cars and trucks I've seen lately require 5/30 and some high performance cars today actually require 0/20 synthetic! GT65
I d[d'nt know manufacturers,Ford or others, recommended 16/40 for there vehicles! Especially in the colder months you need to get the oil up to the valves and lifters. Most cars and trucks I've seen lately require 5/30 and some high performance cars today actually require 0/20 synthetic! GT65
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy