I was with my wife at a discount store. I got bored so I went to the tool and automotive section. I saw this stuff called Motor Honey, an oil additive for high mileage vehicles. It is thick and yellow like honey, hence the name. The label says, among other things , it stops smoke and reduces oil consumption. My 55 does smoke shortly after start-up and does use a lot of oil.

Shall I use it? Is it snake oil? Will it be harmful? If I don't use it I'm only out $2.99. Thanks.

 

I never used Motor Honey but I did try Restore in an old very worn 302 that went through a quart of oil in 60 miles.
The result was it used 1/2 qt in 60 miles. So in that circumstance it improved ring sealing a little. But when I drained the oil to change out the engine it was interesting. The oil looked and drained like 90 weight!

 

It's just a viscosity increaser with some detergent additives. Functions the same as STP and others with the same claim. You can get the same effect by changing to a higher viscosity oil. Consumer snake oil IMO. If was as good as the claims, railroads, truck fleets, USPS, and ships would be using it. It would also have a Federal Stock Number (FSN) for use in the motor pools and everything else. We would be using it in our EMD's to prolong Time Between Overhauls (TBO). One engine holds 350 gallons of lube oil X four engines X 27 ships. Would be a real money maker for them if it really worked. But go ahead, it's guaranteed not to hurt anything.

 

Hahahaha. Wait a minute. So if you do use it you'll make $2.99? Count me in.


Sorry.

 

If your truck smokes on start up you may have an issue with the valve seals...

 

No. If I use it then I break even.

 

It rained in central PA this afternoon so I worked on cleaning off the workbench in my garage. And look what I found on a shelf where I have old tins!


I found it in a 52 F2 I got parts off of in a local junk yard. So maybe the Motor Honey didn't help keep the F2 on the road.

 

Charlie, can you elaborate on the smoke issue at startup and a possible remedy

 

I use it or


I use it for assembly lube.






sdtp

 

A few things I learned selling auto parts for 22 years:
1.there are no liquid piston rings in a can.
2. there are no liquids that fix low oil pressure
3.new oil pumps don't fix low oil pressure
4. I sold products that people believe , that does not mean I believe it will help

 

Well, I guess I should be happy with my quart every 125 miles. Yeah, I need a rebuild or a new Y-block.....someday.
Abe, how much oil are you losing?

So, pikeman got me thinking. What does cause low oil pressure? My truck is usually good, but every once in a while it drops at idle.

 

Low oil PSI is caused by to large of clearance between rod / main / cam bearings but can also be between hyl lifters and the bores.
Most of the time low PSI shows up when the motor is up to normal temp.

I had a modern v8 I needed to use, never heard / seen it run so I pulled it apart. I found all the rod & main bearing showing copper.
I measured the crank and found it with in spec and in good shape. Installed new rod / main bearing, did not check cam bearings as I had no way of changing them or the time for a shop to do.
New rings, old ones stuck to pistons, quick hone of the cly and had a rebuilt motor. Motor has great oil PSI all the time and is used in my drag car.

Is it the right way? Well it is not for everyone but I did clean the block & parts just like a normal rebuild and happy of the outcome.
Dave ----

 

When I cleaned up my engine, I didn't pull the pistons. I want to do that sometime, but I hate the thought of taking the truck out of commission. It would take me a couple of years to get it done the way I work. I need to get another y-block, build it up and swap back and forth.
Winning the lottery so I can retire would help, but you have to play to win.

 

[QUOTE=Harrier;18099583]Well, I guess I should be happy with my quart every 125 miles.

Yes sir, you're not doing too bad there. After having an engine like that old 302 of mine, it doesn't seem like such a big emotional deal to add a quart of oil between oil changes in one of my daily drivers anymore.

 

It's been around a long time, for sure. I remember the Casite stickers as a kid, they are really cool!