Upper Cylinder lube

[jeepman3071]

This weekend I'm picking up a 1948 Gravely model L walkbehind tractor with the T-head engine. The tractor has been restored and the engine rebuilt. The Gravely T-head engine has a tendency for the exhaust valve to stick open if the tractor sits. Some tractors it happens, others it doesn't. I had a 1971 Gravely walkbehind with the same engine and never had a problem in the 5 years I owned it.

Is there a good upper cylinder lube that might help prevent this from happening? I was thinking Lucas fuel system cleaner or Marvel Mystery Oil. A guy on the tractor forum uses 2 cycle oil but I'd like to explore my options.

Thanks!

 

[demarpaint]

There's lots to read about it in the oil additive section. Lucas seems to be the least popular here. MMO and TCW3 seem to be more popular. Then you'll read about people being dead set against them. Check it out and see.

 

[SuperDave456]

There is also Lube Control's products and small dosing with Redline's and Amsoil's products.

Think 1oz per 5 gallons. Very small doses to try to offset the ethanol in the fuel.

 

[msmoke00]

They make a lead substitute to go in older tractors. That's what we use on all our older tractors (COOP E4, Farmall H, etc) and it seems to work well.

 

[Chris142]

I don't think you can beat 2 stroke oil for this. Id start around 1oz oil per gallon.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
I don't think you can beat 2 stroke oil for this. Id start around 1oz oil per gallon.


That is probably what I will end up using. I did some more reading and I guess a lot of the valve problems come from machines that sit a lot and have carbon build up on the valve stems. I might try Marvel Mystery Oil to keep things clean. Would 2 stroke oil cause more carbon build up?

 

[KCJeep]

I use MMO in the gas without fail in my Jeep 4.0 which is nothing more than a glorified tractor engine, it REALLY likes it so you might try it.

 

[Vikas]

If you can get over the stink and stickiness, TC-W3 is arguably cheaper and works at least as good if not better than anything else if used sparingly (1oz/5 gallon)

 

[morris]

OR you could try MMO. LOL

 

[Trajan]

Originally Posted By: morris
OR you could try MMO. LOL


You could. But the Supertech TC-W3 at Walmart is cheaper by the gallon than MMO. And you use only half as much.

 

[morris]

like i have said i will NOT say anything against products i havent used my self. if it works thats great. is it a little thicker than MMO? i have a lot of time on MMO. i have thought about TC-W3, ill think about the right time to give it try.

 

[jeepman3071]

I have a quart of MMO on hand so I will probably try that in small doses and see how it works.

 

[morris]

to: jeepman dont for get to keep good records. i use a small note book, i put every thing in it , in the order it happened. that way EVERYTHING is right in one spot.