More Old Oil

[TFB1]

All these except the JM Fields are SF and interestingly claim to save fuel(even the 30W)... The 10w30 Fields dept store oil is MS and no doubt mid/late '60s...

 

[EricF]

I worked at Unocal 76 for a few years, even in 1996 they still had those cans. I remember they were $.98 a quart, and the plastic bottles we're used to today were $1.24 (dealer cost).

So the ones you have are old, but hard to say exactly how old.
I did find several unopened cans my dad had around 2000, I didn't dare use them, although I was tempted to. I think those were a lot older.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: EricF
I worked at Unocal 76 for a few years, even in 1996 they still had those cans. I remember they were $.98 a quart, and the plastic bottles we're used to today were $1.24 (dealer cost).

So the ones you have are old, but hard to say exactly how old.
I did find several unopened cans my dad had around 2000, I didn't dare use them, although I was tempted to. I think those were a lot older.


SF oil was the spec from '79 thru the '87 models...

One of the cans is SE/SF, guessing that may be a earlier one and Sears changed logo in '84 so that can is probably '85-'87...

The MS designation was last used singly in '67 when API came up with the present system(SC, SD, SE, etc classifications)... Beginning in '68 premium oils were classed as SC/MS... Depending on year, MS translates to SB(before 1964 if I remember correctly) or SC oil... Since it's a multi-vis I'll guess it's comparable to SC, which was a high detergent oil(at least compared to SA/ML or SB/MM)...

I do find it somewhat maddening the original ML, MM, & MS classifications are treated as they never existed by all the charts that list oil types by year...

 

[artificialist]

I suppose you could get more MPG with monograde oils with extra friction modifiers and a lower HTHS, but that would miss the point, as many engines that called for monograde did so for special protection.

I often buy used parts from a junkyard that has an SF can of QS 10w40. I then tell people how it makes my blood boil when mom's 1985 Maxima had to use the limited oil and engine technology from back then, and it didn't leak or burn oil in the 9 years we had it.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I suppose you could get more MPG with monograde oils with extra friction modifiers and a lower HTHS, but that would miss the point, as many engines that called for monograde did so for special protection.

I often buy used parts from a junkyard that has an SF can of QS 10w40. I then tell people how it makes my blood boil when mom's 1985 Maxima had to use the limited oil and engine technology from back then, and it didn't leak or burn oil in the 9 years we had it.


They didn't leak because of the 1/2" thick layer completely covering every surface inside the engine.
Once the motor heated up that mud would liquify slightly and keep the pushrods lubed up. Needed a strong battery because once it cooled off all that sludge would harden and weld everything in place.