----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 10:59
AM
Subject: IML: on oil and such
things...
Greetings to all, young &
old(er):
Someone wrote recently
about oil and additives - for their Imperials. On this, there are a few
things my daddy always insisted upon; however, only a few here.
Always use a good, name BRAND oil, but
a 'true Pennsylvania crude," as he put it. Namely, Quaker State,
Valvoline (foam-a-leene), or Pennzoil. Here, in Ohio (USA), I use 10W-30
in the winter, and 10W40 in the summer. He would insist upon changes
about every 3,000 miles, along with the filter -- which absolutely HAD to be a
Fram.
For an additive, the ONLY
thing he would permit was a small can (probably 8-10 ounces) of a product
known as Bardohl (spelling?) primarily for the oil -- but could go in
to the gas tank! And this was probably half way into the 3,000 for the
oil. [This has not been available here for maybe 20 years!]
Engines back in the
1930s-40s were not as well set up to last the mileages which we demand today;
back then, IF the body was good, and one had the money, the course was for an
engine rebuild. The engines of the 1960s were better but, still, not the
best.
For gasoline, again, use a
know BRAND, and of only the octane needed. The gasoline of the 1950s-60s
WAS different than what is available today - both quality
(ingredients/mixtures) and octane ratings. Therefore, when one knows
experts in the carburation (spelling?) field and in your own geogrphic area,
listen to them. The guru here will sell you anything on his
shelf (owns parts distributoship) for what ever the price is for that
product. His favorite speech is, "You can buy/use this, at $6-10 per
bottle, or do what I do in all of my older cars, trucks, and boats. Go
to any gas station and buy a gallon of kerosene, then go to most any store and
buy a quart of (brand) ATF (automatic Transmission Fluid). Then, for a
20 gallon fill-up (of gas!), mix SIX ounces of kerosene with SIX ounces of
ATF, mix/shake thouroughly, then put into gas tank prior to the gas.
This will give your engine all the lubrication it needs ('cause gas today is
"NO-LEAD") and boost the octane a couple of points, too."
So, gang, what to do!
There is no one answer for all situations. As I've been around for over
60 years, many of my father's traits have become my own - for good or
not. In my various cars, I use Valvoline or Pennzoil (but do not
interchange), with changes twice per year OR every 2,500 miles, Fram oil - gas
- air filters, and usually Marathon gas (or its subsidiary, Speedway), have
used Shell, Citgo, [ but will not use
BP/Standard/Sohio/ESSO ], and the atf/kerosene mix in the
last 20 years. Yes, the ATF/K mix is used in all of the older cars, be
they Imperials or Packards, and, yes gang, they do run just fine! But,
the cars are driven lightly: they are not driven hard, fast, hot and put away
wet! Drove the 64 Crown Coupe ("Baby") from Ohio to New Jersey last July
for the WPC National Show Car Meet, some 1,260 miles on the intersates, and
she never missed a beat! [This is one show boat that is not a trailer
queen.]
What to do? Follow
your conscience - mainly, and, just maybe, listen to an old(er) man -- for
once! I am open to comments, naturally of a positive nature; but, please, no
knives in the back. What works for one person is not necessarily the
only way to do something, as we all learn something new everyday -
right?! Thanks for the time. Later,
ne
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