Motor Oil. Again?

[yourpc48]

Ok so I have a little tappet noise. I have not pulled a valve cover or anything else on this engine but the Carb, water pump pully/fan and the Dizzy. I have had a light to heavy ticking all that time. It seems to be random how loud it gets. I put in 10-30 now I have had to add 2 quarts (1 then later the other)of oil due to the amount of miles I have put on the car so I put some Valvoline 50 Racing in the engine. The car likes it and is a little quieter. I have read some posts that say we should be using heavy oil in our cars (a little lighter when its cold). Now I believe it. Anyone else found this to be true?

[55 Fargo]

Ok so I have a little tappet noise. I have not pulled a valve cover or anything else on this engine but the Carb, water pump pully/fan and the Dizzy. I have had a light to heavy ticking all that time. It seems to be random how loud it gets. I put in 10-30 now I have had to add 2 quarts (1 then later the other)of oil due to the amount of miles I have put on the car so I put some Valvoline 50 Racing in the engine. The car likes it and is a little quieter. I have read some posts that say we should be using heavy oil in our cars (a little lighter when its cold). Now I believe it. Anyone else found this to be true?

Yup, sounds lke your engine prefers a heavier oil, typical of an old engine that is loose, and has some wear.

I use Shell Rotella T 15 W 40, but have heard good things about Valbloin( I mean valvoline I posted this very early in the morning..LOL) oils. I also know some Guys add Lucas oil stabilizer, to thicken up the oil.

Did you change the entire engine oil to Valvoline racing 50, or just add a quart?

Edited September 14, 2011 by Rockwood

[oldmopar]

As they are mechanical valves they will make some noise but if they are ticking a lot The valves may need to be adjusted. I use a multiweight 10-30 oil and find it is suffiecent fro my needs

[Don Coatney]

Adding a heavy weight oil may make it sound better but it does not fix the problem. I would suggest you adjust your valves if that is where the noise is coming from. And I will add it is better to hear the valves tick than to adjust them too tight as this will leed to burnt valves.

[1941Rick]

Agree with Don......heavy oil will mask a problem if there is one...

I run Mobile One 15 / 50 synthetic in a fresh rebuild. Runs fine...

[yourpc48]

I just added a quart and then when I needed it I added a second. This car sat out in a field for years and then next to someones shop. When I got it the plates had been expired for 25 years.

[yourpc48]

If I remember correctly the last oil change was with a 10-30. It was my third complete oil change If I remember correctly. I have been running some thinner oil to clean out the engine. A valve adjustment will be in order before too long. I would like to do that while its still warm since I work on the car outside.

[Rusty O'Toole]

10W30 oil came on the market in 1951. Chances are your car never used anything else.

If it burns oil there is a good chance it is the rings stuck, and they will come free after some long drives.

Solid lifters should make NO noise at all if properly adjusted. Unlike hydraulics they do not wear out, if they get a little noisy you can adjust them and as long as you don't wait too long they will be perfectly silent.