Engine oil...dodge

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I remember doing a boatload of research some time ago about engine oils, particularly what to use in the old jeep engines. I don't recall specifically which one it was, but it was not main stream and I had to get it at Napa. I still have the empty jug in the garage for reference. I know it has something to do with zinc levels...and the lack of zinc in modern oils.

For my Dodge...it's basically the same engine...just bigger. It's been overhauled at some point in its life, but I'm sure it wasn't in my lifetime.

I guess Oily might be my expert here...between his oil leaks and 2 M37s. Lee probably has a bit of knowledge, too. If anybody else does, please chime in.

What type of oil should I fill oil' Weasie the Weapons Carrier up with this weekend?

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I don't have any 'sperience with those Dodges, but it is a flat valve tappet engine with bearing inserts just like many old tractors, jeeps etc...I'm going to say any good diesel oil.....Shell Rotella T, Delo 400, etc...... The diesel oils still have zinc....

I know some people (usually a heated topic between know-it-all's on antique tractor forums, lol!) believe that if you run a modern detergent oil in a old engine that has had old non-detergent oil in it, the new oil will loosen up the slug and cause problems, but I've never had a issue.... If the engine is really dirt just change the oil more. But yours didn't look that way anyways.


I forgot to ask, does this mean the Motor Pool Master Sad Sack Bo gets to go on a test drive soon?

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I've read elsewhere those exact sentiments, Professor...in regards to modern oils stirring up nastiness. I had the pan off and really didn't see anything fearful in there. The oil was just black and quite used.

I've also heard others say what you alluded to about the Diesel engine oil. I'm totally unfamiliar with that. With so many diesel cars on the road these days, I imagine that is something that can be bought anywhere?

Yes...the Sad Sack is ready...I told my 5 year old when she asked if the truck was done, "All we need is oil, coolant and courage." I know where I can get 2 out of 3...if someone points me in the oil direction! Haha

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Well, the US Gov't has screwed Rotella up now also. I now add Lucas zinc additive to 15-40 Rotella T. Valvoline makes 20-50 racing oil for "off road use only" that has zinc still, but it's pricey. I buy the 5 gallon or two 2.5 gallon jugs of Rotella at Wally world 15-40 whichever is cheaper and use it in all my old stuff. Motorcycles included. Then the semi-synthetic for my Triumph newer motorcycles, and Mobil 1 10-30 for my Jeep Wranglers. There you go Moosey! Oilly

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Oct 18, 2014 11:16:11 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

Well, the US Gov't has screwed Rotella up now also. I now add Lucas zinc additive to 15-40 Rotella T. Valvoline makes 20-50 racing oil for "off road use only" that has zinc still, but it's pricey. I buy the 5 gallon or two 2.5 gallon jugs of Rotella at Wally world 15-40 whichever is cheaper and use it in all my old stuff. Motorcycles included. Then the semi-synthetic for my Triumph newer motorcycles, and Mobil 1 10-30 for my Jeep Wranglers. There you go Moosey! Oilly

WHAT???!!!!!

The gooberment just can't $hit alone, can they!!!!? Thank you for sharing that!!!! I'll have to look for zinc additives now....

Like John said, you can buy diesel oil pretty much every where oil is sold. Look for Shell Rotella T, Mobil Chevron Delo, etc.

I also use Rotella T 15w-40, mostly because 15w-40 what my diesel pickup requires. It goes in the jeep, daily driver gas pickup, diesel pick up, both of my old rusty barely running gas tractors and 4 cycle small engines. The only vehicle that gets anything different is my wife's little Cobalt.

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Oct 18, 2014 11:16:11 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

Well, the US Gov't has screwed Rotella up now also. I now add Lucas zinc additive to 15-40 Rotella T. Valvoline makes 20-50 racing oil for "off road use only" that has zinc still, but it's pricey. I buy the 5 gallon or two 2.5 gallon jugs of Rotella at Wally world 15-40 whichever is cheaper and use it in all my old stuff. Motorcycles included. Then the semi-synthetic for my Triumph newer motorcycles, and Mobil 1 10-30 for my Jeep Wranglers. There you go Moosey! Oilly

Not entirely true!...........good old regular diesel 15-40 is still available, just not at the Chinese outlet store! . If you have a mobil oil distributor in your area you can get Mobil MX 15-40, this is the good old stuff, I am sure others have it as well. Problem with box stores is they sell oil for the new rigs with tier 4 emissions, that requires low zinc. The purpose of zinc in the oil is to keep the additives in suspension, newer engines with roller tappets are not needing the levels of zinc that were required in your old flat tappet engines. That being said, the robust go-devil with it's valve springs that have tensions equal to the elastic on a pair of women's panties will most likely be fine with the current blend of snake oil. Now if you own a Cobra, or a 72 Hemi Cuda you want to shop for zinc as they have very high valve spring pressures and flat tappets. So, it's not all the governments fault, it's just not needed in the levels of the past, and the lower levels help with emissions also.

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Elastic on a woman's panties! Now that right there is funny! By the way, what have you been doing? Oil

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Thanks for the info, Lee!!

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Oct 19, 2014 5:45:41 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

Elastic on a woman's panties! Now that right there is funny! By the way, what have you been doing? Oil

Big news coming! , I hit the mother load yesterday

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Oct 19, 2014 7:00:36 GMT -5 @lee said:

Oct 19, 2014 5:45:41 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

Elastic on a woman's panties! Now that right there is funny! By the way, what have you been doing? Oil

Big news coming! , I hit the mother load yesterday

Lee! You ALWAYS hit the mother load!!

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I assume since you got a good deal on it, you will pass the savings on to us fellows. Save now and buy or spend money idea? A GPW in the crate. A barn full of jeeps for 100 bucks or just get that junk hauled out of here and you can have it. Oil

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Oct 19, 2014 8:56:23 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

A barn full of jeeps for 100 bucks or just get that junk hauled out of here and you can have it. Oil

I hate to rub it in , but a little of both .

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Sooooooooo.....I've had this truck for 2 years and I've just replaced the engine oil for the first time. When I emptied the pan a few weeks ago, I was impressed....very little sludge. I popped off the top of the oil filter and that can had about an inch of sludge at the bottom. Nasty. I bet it burns great!

Anyways, the filter I removed was pretty cool. I've never seen one like this before. It was a cloth type one, and very well made, too. Definitely not from Mexico or China! I replaced it with one of the typical throw away cans we use for jeeps.

However, my question is: is this cloth type one meant to be cleaned and reused? It seems too nice to chuck. If you to clean it, how do you do it?

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Pitch it!, It's a different type but still meant for one use. A White Halftrack has a filter that looks like a cotton sock, it to is a 1 user. If you only change oil every two years I see no great savings cleaning one anyway . At least we are back on topic now . I would remove the canister and completely clean it!.

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It does look kind of like a sock! I'll snap a pic and post it later. That's a shame it's a one user...it is really nice! (As far as oil filters go. Lol)

I did clean the crap (almost literally) out of that can.

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Perfect!. Just think of that filter as "WC Kotex"