What Gas & Oil to use in a 1946 Flathead?
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New User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jersey Shore Area
What Gas & Oil to use in a 1946 Flathead?
Finally got around to an item on my "bucket list". I just bought a 1946 Ford 1/2 ton pickup, All Stock. I'd like to know what is best as far as fuel goes....Unleaded gas by itself, or with a lead additive? Also, do I use non-detergent, or detergent oil and what weight is best? Thanks from a "newbie"!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Brisbane, Australia.
Hello there, Choosing an oil grade will depend on the climate the engine will be operating in. I have rebuilt my Flathead, stainless valves, inserts in the block (ready for unleaded). Haven't hit the starter yet but I will be using a 20W50. The climate here is similar to Houston Texas.
Oil technology has come a long way over the years. As for gas I would run a lead replacement. I believe some Flatheads were manufactured with inserts in the block to combat valve wear due to poor fuel quality. Here's a link to the Flathead Ford forum (Ford Flathead V8 .. 1932 thru 1953 • Index page). Have a read in the tech section, you can draw your own conclusions. Regards, Steve.
Oil technology has come a long way over the years. As for gas I would run a lead replacement. I believe some Flatheads were manufactured with inserts in the block to combat valve wear due to poor fuel quality. Here's a link to the Flathead Ford forum (Ford Flathead V8 .. 1932 thru 1953 • Index page). Have a read in the tech section, you can draw your own conclusions. Regards, Steve.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Canada
Ersatz
If your 46 is an original and with some miles on it engine has never been rebuilt. Then stay away from Detergent Oil, use the Regular Non Detergent. 30 or 40 weight will do just fine, unless it has already been using a Detergent Oil.
By using the multi grade oils you will loosen up all that has been in that engine for years and then the trouble starts. There was an old timer in our club that ran Flatheads for years and every fill up of Gas he would drop a Baby Food jar full of oil in with the Gas.
This new oil that is out now has had a lot of the good qualities removed from it. there was a fairly safe Oil and it was Shell Rotella used mostly in Diesel engines and I have heard that it to is now going the way of the other oils.
There is a Zinc additive that can be added to the Engine Oil, never have tried it, but a few of the guys in our club use it, and it works well.
I have a 47 Pickup as well ford that is, and it is as original as they come a fairly rare find these days, but it was tucked away for 35 years in an Industrial Unit, up in the Mezanine.
Anyway just my opinion and i'm sure there will be others do the research on the net and find what is best for you.
If your 46 is an original and with some miles on it engine has never been rebuilt. Then stay away from Detergent Oil, use the Regular Non Detergent. 30 or 40 weight will do just fine, unless it has already been using a Detergent Oil.
By using the multi grade oils you will loosen up all that has been in that engine for years and then the trouble starts. There was an old timer in our club that ran Flatheads for years and every fill up of Gas he would drop a Baby Food jar full of oil in with the Gas.
This new oil that is out now has had a lot of the good qualities removed from it. there was a fairly safe Oil and it was Shell Rotella used mostly in Diesel engines and I have heard that it to is now going the way of the other oils.
There is a Zinc additive that can be added to the Engine Oil, never have tried it, but a few of the guys in our club use it, and it works well.
I have a 47 Pickup as well ford that is, and it is as original as they come a fairly rare find these days, but it was tucked away for 35 years in an Industrial Unit, up in the Mezanine.
Anyway just my opinion and i'm sure there will be others do the research on the net and find what is best for you.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jersey Shore Area
GAS & Oil
I want to thank the respondents for their advice & direction concerning my questions on what gas & oil to use in my 1946 flathead pickup! I have more questions since I just acquired the truck............
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Southern Oregon
I heard or read a story somewhere, maybe here, about a man and an old Ford pickup with flathead. He had bought it in a fairly sorry state, but running. Changed the oil using high detergent, ran the engine a short while, changed again, repeating frequently. Ended up that the engine's oil pan had an unknown hole in it which hadnt leaked before, but after all the detergent oil everything loosened up and a good size leak began.
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