Sorry this not truck related,but I do need some help.My dad got a mid 60s IH cub cadet.It has a 14 hp Kohler engine it. I need to know what oil to use? The former owner died and I do not know what oil he use.
Thanks.

 

Any one?

 

When in doubt, throw in an HDEO. 15W-40 Rotella, Valvoline Premium Blue, Chevron Delo, etc. all come to mind for older engines. I've been using 15W-40 Rotella and Valvoline Premium Blue (was on a buy 2 get one gallon free sale) in our 1950 Ford 8N. No leaks, no consumption. I also use 5W-40 synthetic Rotella in our 17.5 HP lawnmower, but it is only 5 years old.

Good luck in your choice. Anything will probably work, but I'd have an HDEO in it.

 

Straight 30 weight is specified for my 21 horse air cooled Briggs & Havoline Deposit Shield straight 30 weight is what I use.

I also use it in my 25 year old 10 & 8 horse Tecumseh engines.

The newer Briggs engines also have Synthetic 5W-30 specified as an option, but it probably doesn't have enough ZDP for the older engines valve train, so stay with the straight weight lubes, which have a higher level of ZDP.

If your of a mind to run a synthetic lube, maybe consider a Synthetic 5W-40, as it has a higher level of ZDP, than say a 5W-30, or 10W-30 servive grade SM lube & that higher level of ZDP would likely come closer to satisfying the older valve trains ZDP needs.

A straight 30 weight diesel oil recipe, thats also rated for gasoline engines, would have higher levels of ZDP & detergent/dispersnts & should work well also.

The 25 year old Tecumseh had straight 30wt & 10W-30 or 10W-40 service grade SF/SG specified, but said that excessive consumption may occur at higher ambient operating conditions with the multi-viscosity lubes & thats what I found & decided to switch to the Havoline straight 30 weight, which solved the consumption problem & the engines valve train was quieter.

The newer Tecumseh specs don't recommend using a 10W-40, but do say that 10W-30 is ok, but again I'd wonder about the ZDP level of a service grade SM, for the older valve train, so maybe look to a diesel recipe 10W-30, if your of a mind to use a multi-viscosity lube, as it'll have a higher level of ZDP for the old valve trains protection.

A whole bunch of thoughts for consideration.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I just use whatever I have. The most important thing with small engines(any engine for that matter) is that they have oil in them. In my 12hp motor for my riding mower, I've used 15w40 Amsoil Syn...I've also used Wal Mart Supertech 10w30. I check it before every use and change it at the beginning of each season...

 

In my old John Deere 110's, we have always used straight 30 in summer. We change about every 15-20 hrs depending on if it is dusty. Those old cast iron line engines just don't wear out if taken care of. My recomendation would be a diesel rated 30 wt and if you can't find that use 15w40. The diesel oil will have more zinc and thicker oils are better for your air cooled kohler.

You can usually find 30 wt diesel rated oil at farm supply places such as fleet farm or tractor supply if you have them in your area.

 

Use
Pennzoil HD 30
or
Castrol HD 30
or
Rotella T 30
and you'll be good for another 40 years!!

I seriously doubt that some of those old engines will EVER wear out, given reasonable care/feeding...

 

The main thing is, do not use a non-detergent oil. If you wanna use a straight weight, that's fine. But a 15W-40/5W-40 HDEO would be my choice (Rotella-T).