Just curious Oil Question

[MG_Midget_74]

What weight oil do you run in your Midget?

I have owned ours for 35 years in the beginning I was running 10W/40, for last 30 years I have been running 20W/50.
It's a 1275 in case your wondering.

What about you? Yes I did a search and saw previous answers wondered if things were still the same.

Don't post here all that often, but I am here at least once a week.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I use 20w50 year round.

 

[aeronca65t]

I depends. If you do a lot of driving long distance or for long periods, the 20W/50 is good.

If you are just running it for short hops (under 20 minutes) and slower speeds, the 10W/40 or even 10W/30 should be fine.

In your area, if you're driving a lot in the colder season, I definitely run the lighter oil. As long as you have decent oil pressure while cruising (over 45 psi) and reasonable pressure at idle (over 20 psi), you're safe with the lighter oil.

Among my other cars, I have a gently driven MGB that is mostly driven for trips under 15 miles with a number of runs to the Jersey Shore during the Summer (160 miles round trip). Yearly mileage is about 1500. I run 10W/30 in that car with no issues.

 

[Spridget64SC]

Not related to weights, but just something to always be aware of is that the common oils available from the usual suspects is most likely API SM rated. Which means that ZDDP content is down in the 800 PPM or lower range to prevent catalytic converter clogging. Fine for your 2010 econo-box. However, these LBC engines have solid faced tappets and cams, cupped push rods and with wiper pad rockers. So, bottom line is that these engines need an SH - SJ rated oil or something more aligned with a racing application. ZDDP content for any kind of flat tappet engine, A-series or Detroit V8 is in the 1200 PPM range.

HTH,
Mike Miller

 

[aeronca65t]

Mike makes a good point (although I haven't been that careful about this myself).

There are "additives" that are supposed to add ZDDP, but I'm not sure how good they are.

Spectro makes a decent product:

https://performanceoilstore.com/products.asp?cat=45

 

[2091351]

Great Information!!!

I will be using SJ rated in my flat tappet, flathead motor as soon as I change out the break-in stuff.

This Weed Eater Briggs & Stratton 158 CID single has got to last!!!

The last one only lasted 9 Years, using three (3) sets of wheels and had to be put down when it broke the second starter rope.

Wish me luck

Steve