Everyone talks about how bad oil was back in the day. How about the oil filters back in the day. Were they any good? If not, I think that's probably a larger culprit than the oil.
QS oil really that bad with causing sludge?
- Thread starter zeke1985
- Start date
- Status
All the oils back then do not hold a candle to the newer oils as far as cleanliness. Most 10-40 oils back then would sludge up on cars as they broke down easily. I have taken many old small blocks, inline six cylinders, and even old motorcycle motors apart and seen sludge. Quaker State and Pennzoil were the two most popular oils back then so of course being used in more cars meant more instances of sludge numerically. I used Quaker State in my Nova (20w50) in the 90's with no sludge to report, but I did do short oci's. My father used to run Pennzoil in his race car during the same period and that methanol injected big block went 4 seasons without needing a freshening.
Also look at some of the stupid OCI's recommended by companies back then. My 86 Monte Carlo with the electronic carb 305 recommended 7,500 mile OCI's. I can imagine that's why it was sludge city when I had to rip off the intake to do that gaskets. Oils back then were not as good and never should you go that long on a carburetor.
Also look at some of the stupid OCI's recommended by companies back then. My 86 Monte Carlo with the electronic carb 305 recommended 7,500 mile OCI's. I can imagine that's why it was sludge city when I had to rip off the intake to do that gaskets. Oils back then were not as good and never should you go that long on a carburetor.
Last edited:
I go way out of my way not to critize oils, but the QS I used in the mid 60s did sludge my Valient slant 6 pretty bad even with 2K OCIs. I bought the car with 13K and at 50K needed to adjust the solid lifters it had. When I took the valve cover off I was amazed at the sludge. With that said, todays QS is no doubt a qualty conventional oil.
Originally Posted By: LckydevL
Sure, I could pick it apart and blame a number of things that could have caused the sludge.
Well, in a good engine, your OCIs certainly weren't long. However, as I pointed out, there were other issues with those trucks. As stout as they are, a bad PCV and carb were the weak links and could easily cause major issues.
In my fleet usage, fuel dilution issues were not possible (LPG), and sludge was simply never seen, with 6,000 mile OCIs. There was no short tripping, either, though.
Back in those days, just about every conventional was picked on for "causing sludge," including Quaker State, Pennzoil conventional, and Castrol. Considering the stories I've heard versus my fleet experience and experience with my own vehicles, the two variables that stand out (aside from improper maintenance) are fuel dilution and short tripping.
The feedback carb in my old F-150 would dilute the oil so bad that near the end of a 3,000 mile or less OCI, a 30 weight oil would allow the oil pressure light to flicker on with the oil hot and the engine at idle. With a 40 weight, HDEO, that problem disappeared. Now, after a rebuild and a real carb, hopefully it won't recur.
Sure, I could pick it apart and blame a number of things that could have caused the sludge.
Well, in a good engine, your OCIs certainly weren't long. However, as I pointed out, there were other issues with those trucks. As stout as they are, a bad PCV and carb were the weak links and could easily cause major issues.
In my fleet usage, fuel dilution issues were not possible (LPG), and sludge was simply never seen, with 6,000 mile OCIs. There was no short tripping, either, though.
Back in those days, just about every conventional was picked on for "causing sludge," including Quaker State, Pennzoil conventional, and Castrol. Considering the stories I've heard versus my fleet experience and experience with my own vehicles, the two variables that stand out (aside from improper maintenance) are fuel dilution and short tripping.
The feedback carb in my old F-150 would dilute the oil so bad that near the end of a 3,000 mile or less OCI, a 30 weight oil would allow the oil pressure light to flicker on with the oil hot and the engine at idle. With a 40 weight, HDEO, that problem disappeared. Now, after a rebuild and a real carb, hopefully it won't recur.
Here ya go, try some and see for yourself!
Last edited:
I like the "newer" QS stuff though.
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
All the oils back then do not hold a candle to the newer oils as far as cleanliness. Most 10-40 oils back then would sludge up on cars as they broke down easily. I have taken many old small blocks, inline six cylinders, and even old motorcycle motors apart and seen sludge. Quaker State and Pennzoil were the two most popular oils back then so of course being used in more cars meant more instances of sludge numerically. I used Quaker State in my Nova (20w50) in the 90's with no sludge to report, but I did do short oci's. My father used to run Pennzoil in his race car during the same period and that methanol injected big block went 4 seasons without needing a freshening.
Also look at some of the stupid OCI's recommended by companies back then. My 86 Monte Carlo with the electronic carb 305 recommended 7,500 mile OCI's. I can imagine that's why it was sludge city when I had to rip off the intake to do that gaskets. Oils back then were not as good and never should you go that long on a carburetor.
This covers it well.
All the oils back then do not hold a candle to the newer oils as far as cleanliness. Most 10-40 oils back then would sludge up on cars as they broke down easily. I have taken many old small blocks, inline six cylinders, and even old motorcycle motors apart and seen sludge. Quaker State and Pennzoil were the two most popular oils back then so of course being used in more cars meant more instances of sludge numerically. I used Quaker State in my Nova (20w50) in the 90's with no sludge to report, but I did do short oci's. My father used to run Pennzoil in his race car during the same period and that methanol injected big block went 4 seasons without needing a freshening.
Also look at some of the stupid OCI's recommended by companies back then. My 86 Monte Carlo with the electronic carb 305 recommended 7,500 mile OCI's. I can imagine that's why it was sludge city when I had to rip off the intake to do that gaskets. Oils back then were not as good and never should you go that long on a carburetor.
This covers it well.
Originally Posted By: qdeezie
Everyone talks about how bad oil was back in the day. How about the oil filters back in the day. Were they any good? If not, I think that's probably a larger culprit than the oil.
I have a NOS 1978 Fram if someone would like to find out...
Everyone talks about how bad oil was back in the day. How about the oil filters back in the day. Were they any good? If not, I think that's probably a larger culprit than the oil.
I have a NOS 1978 Fram if someone would like to find out...
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Except for some non-detergent oil I used in the '60s, I've never in 45+ years had a oil cause a sludge problem, and that includes a lot of Pennzoil & QS in the 60s & 70s... I religiously did OCIs at 2.5 to 3Kmi so was no doubt the reason...
We may get crucified, but 2500 was my OCI with conventional for my 70's vehicles; never had an issue even at 200k.
Except for some non-detergent oil I used in the '60s, I've never in 45+ years had a oil cause a sludge problem, and that includes a lot of Pennzoil & QS in the 60s & 70s... I religiously did OCIs at 2.5 to 3Kmi so was no doubt the reason...
We may get crucified, but 2500 was my OCI with conventional for my 70's vehicles; never had an issue even at 200k.
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Here ya go, try some and see for yourself!
The Super Blend can brings back memories of my first car in 1973! It looked like the Michigan car it was but on 5f winter mornings it ran like a southern transplant would have. [censored]
I ran Super Blend in it until 1978 when I sold it. Over the years I've run other brands and now both cars are running GJ(green jug). Going to try to cure the foul smell with some mmo.
Is there any other oil brand with this many loyalty posts in this forum?
Here ya go, try some and see for yourself!
The Super Blend can brings back memories of my first car in 1973! It looked like the Michigan car it was but on 5f winter mornings it ran like a southern transplant would have. [censored]
I ran Super Blend in it until 1978 when I sold it. Over the years I've run other brands and now both cars are running GJ(green jug). Going to try to cure the foul smell with some mmo.
Is there any other oil brand with this many loyalty posts in this forum?
The bottom line is that regardless of what did or didnt happen 20 years ago we need to judge the current products.
Shell Oil Premium Lubricants:
Pennzoil, Quaker State, Rotella
SOPUS has as good a lubricant engineers as anyone and the base stocks and additive packages are as good as anyone else. They meet the latest industry standards. Their is zero evidence that any SOPUS produced Pennzoil / Quaker State has ever lead to sludge in a properly running engine when changed before the TBN was depleted.
Shell Oil Premium Lubricants:
Pennzoil, Quaker State, Rotella
SOPUS has as good a lubricant engineers as anyone and the base stocks and additive packages are as good as anyone else. They meet the latest industry standards. Their is zero evidence that any SOPUS produced Pennzoil / Quaker State has ever lead to sludge in a properly running engine when changed before the TBN was depleted.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I like the "newer" QS stuff though.
Wonder how old those bottles were?
Wonder no more...circa 1985
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I like the "newer" QS stuff though.
Wonder how old those bottles were?
Wonder no more...circa 1985
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked