Its 1955. What oil are you using?

[Red Crow]

Imagine it is 1955...think of the automobiles that were available at the time tell me what oil you are using. I think I'm changing oil every six months, and I'm using Union 76 Royal Triton SAE 30 in the warm months and RT SAE 20 in the winter. I'm also probably driving a late forties Chevrolet sedan with a babbit bearing inline six.

 

[Passport1]

I don't think my parents had a car then. We lived in the city and took public transportation. Any oil they used was probably 10W baby oil on my younger brother. Oil was changed daily.

 

[Malo83]

Dad always used Pennzoil 30wt.

 

[kstanf150]

Quaker State was used a lot back then

 

[Oildudeny]

Imagine it is 1955...think of the automobiles that were available at the time tell me what oil you are using. I think I'm changing oil every six months, and I'm using Union 76 Royal Triton SAE 30 in the warm months and RT SAE 20 in the winter. I'm also probably driving a late forties Chevrolet sedan with a babbit bearing inline six.

Valvoline, Sinclair, oilzum, wolf's head

 

[Astro14]

Imagine it is 1955...think of the automobiles that were available at the time tell me what oil you are using. I think I'm changing oil every six months, and I'm using Union 76 Royal Triton SAE 30 in the warm months and RT SAE 20 in the winter. I'm also probably driving a late forties Chevrolet sedan with a babbit bearing inline six.

By the late 40s, you would have had conventional shell bearings. Still a flathead, of course, but with modern bearings.

 

[Red Crow]

By the late 40s, you would have had conventional shell bearings. Still a flathead, of course, but with modern bearings.

I'm pretty certain the Chevrolet inline six used babbits until sometime in the 50s. I know for sure it was overhead valve.

 

[Chris142]

Amalie sae 20

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Yes I'd have to say it would have been this Dad got it through the shop at cost

 

[mpack88]

If I had a 55 Chevy, I would use QS 30

 

[Astro14]

I'm pretty certain the Chevrolet inline six used babbits until sometime in the 50s. I know for sure it was overhead valve.

Interesting. Many manufacturers made the switch to shell bearings before the war, but retained flat heads until long after the war was over.

Babbitt bearings and an overhead valve setup in 1940s is an interesting combination of new tech and old.

 

[Red Crow]

By the late 40s, you would have had conventional shell bearings. Still a flathead, of course, but with modern bearings.

I'll have to take your word for it on the bearings. Looking online most replacement bearings are shell. I might've been thinking of the early 216s.

 

[Red Crow]

Interesting. Many manufacturers made the switch to shell bearings before the war, but retained flat heads until long after the war was over.

Babbitt bearings and an overhead valve setup in 1940s is an interesting combination of new tech and old.

If I'm not mistaken, Chevrolet's inline six was only ever utilized an ohv valve train, dating back to 1911. I am however, relying totally on memory so I wouldn't trust it without double checking

 

[Red Crow]

If I'm not mistaken, Chevrolet's inline six was only ever utilized an ohv valve train, dating back to 1911. I am however, relying totally on memory so I wouldn't trust it without double checking

Wow....I'm way off on that. Wiki says the inline 6 was introduced in 1929. I think I need to go to bed and get my marbles reset.

 

[A_User55555]

Non-communist oil

 

[4WD]

Well, until I was old enough to work and change oil there …
Surely would of thought the only oil made was Amalie 30 …

 

[Bird's_Garage]

I'd run Kendall. And I'd change it every 1500 because 2000 just seems too long.

Oh and it would be some of that newfangled 10w-30.

 

[iahawk]

55 Chevy owner's manual says change oil every 2000-3000 miles and if equipped with an oil filter to change it every 6000 miles. Many forget the ridiculous amount of fluid changes and lubrication needed on those older cars! Numerous 1000 mile lubrications required plus all kinds of inspections.

 

[iahawk]

link to 55 Chevy owner's manual... http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/55omindex.htm

 

[ctrcbob]

In the early 50’s, people changed their oil every 1000 miles. Then Kendal came out with a new oil, with their logo of a hand and two fingers. Still used today. On their commercials, they shouted, “Kendal, the TWO, TWO, Two Thousand Mile Oil”.