[Vintage-race] What Oil Do You Use?

[Carl McLelland]

Norm, if your friend was talking about using synthetic brake fluid in vintage
racers with 'European' natural rubber seals in the brake system I would say
he's on track. However....

Bob Oker was using Steen C (then called "chemical lubricant") back in at least
'57 and possibly earlier. The Bristol he is racing here (Paramount Ranch,
1957) and the Morgan he drove before the Bristol were both owned by Ed Savin
(Savin Motors in East L.A., CA). Ed was the western US distributor for Steen
C.


There is Absolutely Nothing "NEWor MODERN" about "chemical lubricants" or
"synthetic lubricants".

In '57 and '58 when Bob drove for the Triumph factory at Sebring, after the
Shell oil reps co-sponsoring the cars had inspected them they drained the
"Shell" lubricants from the engine, trans and differentials and refilled them
with Steen C.

I would say it's a 50/50 split between petroleum lubricants and synthetics in
todays 'historic' racers. I personally use Valvoline 20-50 Racing in my Lotus
61 formula Ford because its cheaper than synthetics and gets the job done. If
petroleum lubricants didn't do the job I would switch over in a heartbeat.

I think you need to take your friend to the local "watering hole" and buy him
a double "Reality Check" on the rocks. I think he's filled his mouth with
words before filling his brain with knowledge.
    Carl    61/FF/79

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Norm 2Bs
  To: Vintage Racing Digest
  Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 3:22 PM
  Subject: [Vintage-race] What Oil Do You Use?


  I had a conversation recently with a guy who insists that vintage racers do
  NOT use synthetic oil.  I told him, in that case, I must have been racing
  newer cars as I have been using synthetic oil in my vintage racers since
  1999 once the engines have been broken-in.  But, he is adamant that we ONLY
  use petroleum-based oils.

  What do you folks on the Digest use?

  Norm Sippel
  '59 Turner
  '60 Alfa
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