oil for Farmall C

Anonymous-0 · Oct 16, 2009

I do not have a service or owner's manual for my Farmall C (serial number 4109)and would like to know the engine oil capacity and oil type recommended.

Janicholson · Oct 16, 2009

With filter (be sure to scrape out the old filter seal in the groove, it may take an ice pick to dig out!!) it will take 6 qts, but don't just pour it in.
Drain the pan, and install filter cartridge. Open the top petcock on the side of the pan. fill until oil comes out. Shut petcock. Start tractor and run until oil pressure is developed, shut off. Wait 5 minutes, then open top petcock again anf fill slowly until oil comes out. you are good to go. Check oil at the bottom Petcock, if oil comes out it is OK. if not, fill to top petcock.
I recommend 15-40 diesel grade oil It is totally compatible with the engine, and rugged (Shell Rotella, RPM Delo are excellent brands)
JimN

Anonymous-0 · Oct 17, 2009

Thanks Jim,
You were very helpful.

Farmallhal · Oct 17, 2009

I've seen a few posts suggesting the diesel grade oil for these old tractors. Could you explain the rationale for the use of diesel oil? I certainly use Rotella in my diesel tractors so am familar with it's qualities. I have been using straight weight automotive oil in order to use up some of the oil my dad must have bought when he heard it was going up in price 40 years ago. Is there some additive or something which is still in the diesel oil which isn't allowed in automobile oils? Just would like to know the specifics for the diesel oil or is it just a convience thing. Thanks, Hal.

Janicholson · Oct 17, 2009

The reason I like it is that it has a 15wt cold flow number. This is heavier than a 10, and lighter than a 20. It also carries the 40wt hot number. Diesel oils have strong detergents, usually have limited ash, and suspend particulates with dispersants. There are other chemistry reasons as well. API info is pretty complex, but looking up the differences is informative. JimN

NDS · Oct 17, 2009

The story I have heard several times is that zinc is needed in older engines with flat cam followers to prevent wear. Zinc will cause catalyitic converters to fail so EPA has dictated that most zinc to be removed from oil desinated for gasoline engines. Supposedly the diesel oils have higher zinc levels. True or false????

Johnjock Gofast · Oct 20, 2009

I would not recommend 15w40 for a gas engine. Especially one that is going to be working and hot. I worked on forklift engines for 2 different companies. Same engines used. One company used 15w40, the other used 30. The 40 wt oil caused heavy varnish like deposits on everything inside. When the engine was allowed to cool for a couple of days, the valves and rings would stick and cause compression loss.
The other company that used 30 wt oil never once encountered that problem. Same brand of trucks used under the same conditions.
Just my 2 cents worth.

LincTex · Jan 20, 2013

(quoted from post at 17:22:00 10/17/09) The story I have heard several times is that zinc is needed in older engines with flat cam followers to prevent wear. Zinc will cause catalyitic converters to fail so EPA has dictated that most zinc to be removed from oil desinated for gasoline engines. Supposedly the diesel oils have higher zinc levels. True or false????

This is 100 % true. Unfortunately, Zinc (ZDDP or ZDTP) additives in oils have been getting the ax across the board, even in diesel oils. Only specialty racing oils still have lots of zinc. The good news is that the valve spring pressures in our tractor is so low there is very little danger of wearing the cam.

If you want the piece of mind, get some GM "E.O.S." from the chevy dealer, or some Crane Cams break in lube and add a bit of those to your oil.

oil for Farmall C

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