I search topic but found nothing. I'm looking for correct oil/fuel mixture for old 2-stroke craftsman power products push mower I inherited from father-in-law. Thanks
What is oil/fuel mixture for old 2-stroke mower
- Thread starter Immykidsdad
- Start date
- Status
Many were 32:1, but we need more information. The model number of the mower or engine would be a help. The engine manufacturer or date of manufacture would be too. It's likely stamped on there somewhere. Clean it up and let us know what you find.
Engines are not designed to a oil/fuel mixture. They are designed to a lubrication spec. The very old 2 cycles were 16 to 1 because the oil of the day was poor. Later with improved oil it went to 32 to 1, then 40 to 1 and then because of air quality regs it was pushed to 50 to 1. Professional lawn care people find that 32 to 1 to 40 to 1 measurably increases the life of the engine.
The manufacture of the 2 cycle oil mix will put the ratio on the bottle and it will usually say something like used for all 2 cycle engines. If they say 32 to 1 or 40 to 1 then use that. But if it is 50 to 1, i calculate it out for 40 to 1 for long life.
The other secret is to use good oil. Any brand name like Echo or Stihl will be top notch oil.
For best price i buy an Echo six pack of oil at farm and fleet.
Wally
P.S. Google "2 cycle oil calculator" there are many to choose from.
The manufacture of the 2 cycle oil mix will put the ratio on the bottle and it will usually say something like used for all 2 cycle engines. If they say 32 to 1 or 40 to 1 then use that. But if it is 50 to 1, i calculate it out for 40 to 1 for long life.
The other secret is to use good oil. Any brand name like Echo or Stihl will be top notch oil.
For best price i buy an Echo six pack of oil at farm and fleet.
Wally
P.S. Google "2 cycle oil calculator" there are many to choose from.
Last edited:
How old is it? Old 2 strokes didn't have roller bearings, they had bushings. The ratio was 16:1. When Lawnboy went to roller bearings, the ratio went to 32:1. More modern stuff takes 40 or 50:1
Originally Posted By: wally6934
Engines are not designed to a oil/fuel mixture. They are designed to a lubrication spec.
With regard to older two cycle engines, that is not so. As mentioned above, many of those low stress engines did not contain roller bearings. Some even used the case as the crank bearing, with a rather sloppy fit. The quality brass bushing was saved for the connecting rod. In other words, some engines used no roller bearings at all.
In such engines, 16 to 1 or 20 to 1 would likely be the proper mixture. It's not the quality of the lubricant that matters in these cases, it's the quantity.
You do need to know the manufacturers requirement.
Engines are not designed to a oil/fuel mixture. They are designed to a lubrication spec.
With regard to older two cycle engines, that is not so. As mentioned above, many of those low stress engines did not contain roller bearings. Some even used the case as the crank bearing, with a rather sloppy fit. The quality brass bushing was saved for the connecting rod. In other words, some engines used no roller bearings at all.
In such engines, 16 to 1 or 20 to 1 would likely be the proper mixture. It's not the quality of the lubricant that matters in these cases, it's the quantity.
You do need to know the manufacturers requirement.
I looked up the old Power Products Crafstman mower. They were typically from the late 50's and did use a bushing instead of bearings. 16 to 1 is the proper mixture. They spec'd 30 viscosity, non detergent oil.
Some people say that modern two cycle oil is not the correct oil. I disagree. At the proper mixture, it will work just fine.
Some people say that modern two cycle oil is not the correct oil. I disagree. At the proper mixture, it will work just fine.
Originally Posted By: andyd
How old is it? Old 2 strokes didn't have roller bearings, they had bushings. The ratio was 16:1. When Lawnboy went to roller bearings, the ratio went to 32:1. More modern stuff takes 40 or 50:1
FWIW: My 1994 Lawn Boy takes 32:1 but I've run top brand oil and 100% gas at just under 40:1 with excellent results for many years. Sucker runs great as my trim mower and I use the same mixture with my other 2-cycle power tools (Sears Blower (old), string trimmers, etc.). I've recently given a can of TruFuel (40:1) a try and like what I see at the moment. I may just stick with that. It's possible your mower may run fine on that 40:1 mixture as well.
Really love the way my Lawn Boy cuts and runs (and very quiet to boot). Is is very fuel efficient as well and no smoke.
Wish the "greenie-weenie's" would leave EPA regs alone so these could still be built.
How old is it? Old 2 strokes didn't have roller bearings, they had bushings. The ratio was 16:1. When Lawnboy went to roller bearings, the ratio went to 32:1. More modern stuff takes 40 or 50:1
FWIW: My 1994 Lawn Boy takes 32:1 but I've run top brand oil and 100% gas at just under 40:1 with excellent results for many years. Sucker runs great as my trim mower and I use the same mixture with my other 2-cycle power tools (Sears Blower (old), string trimmers, etc.). I've recently given a can of TruFuel (40:1) a try and like what I see at the moment. I may just stick with that. It's possible your mower may run fine on that 40:1 mixture as well.
Really love the way my Lawn Boy cuts and runs (and very quiet to boot). Is is very fuel efficient as well and no smoke.
Wish the "greenie-weenie's" would leave EPA regs alone so these could still be built.
Originally Posted By: wally6934
Engines are not designed to a oil/fuel mixture. They are designed to a lubrication spec. The very old 2 cycles were 16 to 1 because the oil of the day was poor. Later with improved oil it went to 32 to 1, then 40 to 1 and then because of air quality regs it was pushed to 50 to 1. Professional lawn care people find that 32 to 1 to 40 to 1 measurably increases the life of the engine.
The manufacture of the 2 cycle oil mix will put the ratio on the bottle and it will usually say something like used for all 2 cycle engines. If they say 32 to 1 or 40 to 1 then use that. But if it is 50 to 1, i calculate it out for 40 to 1 for long life.
The other secret is to use good oil. Any brand name like Echo or Stihl will be top notch oil.
For best price i buy an Echo six pack of oil at farm and fleet.
Wally
P.S. Google "2 cycle oil calculator" there are many to choose from.
Not sure what your saying is true. They sell 40:1 and 50:1 premix. For engines that are designed for those respective ratios.
Engines are not designed to a oil/fuel mixture. They are designed to a lubrication spec. The very old 2 cycles were 16 to 1 because the oil of the day was poor. Later with improved oil it went to 32 to 1, then 40 to 1 and then because of air quality regs it was pushed to 50 to 1. Professional lawn care people find that 32 to 1 to 40 to 1 measurably increases the life of the engine.
The manufacture of the 2 cycle oil mix will put the ratio on the bottle and it will usually say something like used for all 2 cycle engines. If they say 32 to 1 or 40 to 1 then use that. But if it is 50 to 1, i calculate it out for 40 to 1 for long life.
The other secret is to use good oil. Any brand name like Echo or Stihl will be top notch oil.
For best price i buy an Echo six pack of oil at farm and fleet.
Wally
P.S. Google "2 cycle oil calculator" there are many to choose from.
Not sure what your saying is true. They sell 40:1 and 50:1 premix. For engines that are designed for those respective ratios.
Two stroke engines are very forgiving on oil mixes. They are pretty tough, hence why Amsoil get away with a rediculas 100:1 ratio. If it were my vintage mower. I'd run 20:1 to 25:1. I run 32:1 in all my Two Stroke equipment but it's all modern. Older equipment like that liked richer oil and a richer mixture isn't going to hurt anything but a leaner could.
Most important do not use a TCW3 two stroke oil. It creates hard carbon and sticks the rings. Use a two stroke oil rated TC only for air cooled engines.
Most important do not use a TCW3 two stroke oil. It creates hard carbon and sticks the rings. Use a two stroke oil rated TC only for air cooled engines.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Some people say that modern two cycle oil is not the correct oil. I disagree. At the proper mixture, it will work just fine.
Modern 2-stroke oil is MAGNATUDES better than old 30wt non-detergent oil...... that was really all that was readily available back then.
Some people say that modern two cycle oil is not the correct oil. I disagree. At the proper mixture, it will work just fine.
Modern 2-stroke oil is MAGNATUDES better than old 30wt non-detergent oil...... that was really all that was readily available back then.
Thanks for everyone's help! The model number is 131.81186.
Bushing engines can go to 24 to one, no less. All needle engines can do less, all needle lawnboy engines were 64 to one, but they had so little excess oil that they rusted over winter so went back to 32 to one.
C engine lawnboys have lower bushing and some have bushing con rod. They can go no leaner than 24 to one. Later C lawnboys and D engines can go to 40 to one but no less as they have a lower bushing.
These engines have a removable cylinder.
The later F engines and up with the plastic carb are all needle bearing, but it occasionally score a piston on 50 to one, so I recommend no ethanol it messes with the carb. You can use 40 to one premix if you can afford it. Run the gas out of the carb every time.
I still have lawnboys running, used one this morning without waking the neighbors.
Rod
C engine lawnboys have lower bushing and some have bushing con rod. They can go no leaner than 24 to one. Later C lawnboys and D engines can go to 40 to one but no less as they have a lower bushing.
These engines have a removable cylinder.
The later F engines and up with the plastic carb are all needle bearing, but it occasionally score a piston on 50 to one, so I recommend no ethanol it messes with the carb. You can use 40 to one premix if you can afford it. Run the gas out of the carb every time.
I still have lawnboys running, used one this morning without waking the neighbors.
Rod
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
Bushing engines can go to 24 to one, no less. All needle engines can do less, all needle lawnboy engines were 64 to one, but they had so little excess oil that they rusted over winter so went back to 32 to one.
C engine lawnboys have lower bushing and some have bushing con rod. They can go no leaner than 24 to one. Later C lawnboys and D engines can go to 40 to one but no less as they have a lower bushing.
These engines have a removable cylinder.
The later F engines and up with the plastic carb are all needle bearing, but it occasionally score a piston on 50 to one, so I recommend no ethanol it messes with the carb. You can use 40 to one premix if you can afford it. Run the gas out of the carb every time.
I still have lawnboys running, used one this morning without waking the neighbors.
Rod
Great advice! I do much the same. They really are great mowers! Mine has either the all aluminum cast body or magnesium, can't remember.
In 23 years of service, I've never had to clean the exhaust ports of carbon. They were still clean. I'm still running on the original plug.
Bushing engines can go to 24 to one, no less. All needle engines can do less, all needle lawnboy engines were 64 to one, but they had so little excess oil that they rusted over winter so went back to 32 to one.
C engine lawnboys have lower bushing and some have bushing con rod. They can go no leaner than 24 to one. Later C lawnboys and D engines can go to 40 to one but no less as they have a lower bushing.
These engines have a removable cylinder.
The later F engines and up with the plastic carb are all needle bearing, but it occasionally score a piston on 50 to one, so I recommend no ethanol it messes with the carb. You can use 40 to one premix if you can afford it. Run the gas out of the carb every time.
I still have lawnboys running, used one this morning without waking the neighbors.
Rod
Great advice! I do much the same. They really are great mowers! Mine has either the all aluminum cast body or magnesium, can't remember.
In 23 years of service, I've never had to clean the exhaust ports of carbon. They were still clean. I'm still running on the original plug.
Last edited:
It looks like your mower is from the 1950s and likely has a Tecumseh/PP engine, maybe an AV47. Could you share some photos?
If I'm correct, it called for 16:1 at the time of manufacture.
If I'm correct, it called for 16:1 at the time of manufacture.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
I looked up the old Power Products Crafstman mower. They were typically from the late 50's and did use a bushing instead of bearings. 16 to 1 is the proper mixture. They spec'd 30 viscosity, non detergent oil.
Some people say that modern two cycle oil is not the correct oil. I disagree. At the proper mixture, it will work just fine.
+1
Run it at 16:1
I looked up the old Power Products Crafstman mower. They were typically from the late 50's and did use a bushing instead of bearings. 16 to 1 is the proper mixture. They spec'd 30 viscosity, non detergent oil.
Some people say that modern two cycle oil is not the correct oil. I disagree. At the proper mixture, it will work just fine.
+1
Run it at 16:1
It's likely worth running it with more oil than you might think and then pull the plugs to see if it is "too much". IDK.
Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
Bushing engines can go to 24 to one, no less. All needle engines can do less, all needle lawnboy engines were 64 to one, but they had so little excess oil that they rusted over winter so went back to 32 to one.
C engine lawnboys have lower bushing and some have bushing con rod. They can go no leaner than 24 to one. Later C lawnboys and D engines can go to 40 to one but no less as they have a lower bushing.
These engines have a removable cylinder.
The later F engines and up with the plastic carb are all needle bearing, but it occasionally score a piston on 50 to one, so I recommend no ethanol it messes with the carb. You can use 40 to one premix if you can afford it. Run the gas out of the carb every time.
I still have lawnboys running, used one this morning without waking the neighbors.
Rod
I am wondering were you are getting these ratios from for theses different engines. These numbers do not allow for better oil being made. As i said earlier, engines are designed to a lubrication spec not an oil ratio. I looked up a picture of a can of Echo 2 cycle oil. It is 50 to 1 and says for all 2 cycle engines. See my first post for more details.
Bushing engines can go to 24 to one, no less. All needle engines can do less, all needle lawnboy engines were 64 to one, but they had so little excess oil that they rusted over winter so went back to 32 to one.
C engine lawnboys have lower bushing and some have bushing con rod. They can go no leaner than 24 to one. Later C lawnboys and D engines can go to 40 to one but no less as they have a lower bushing.
These engines have a removable cylinder.
The later F engines and up with the plastic carb are all needle bearing, but it occasionally score a piston on 50 to one, so I recommend no ethanol it messes with the carb. You can use 40 to one premix if you can afford it. Run the gas out of the carb every time.
I still have lawnboys running, used one this morning without waking the neighbors.
Rod
I am wondering were you are getting these ratios from for theses different engines. These numbers do not allow for better oil being made. As i said earlier, engines are designed to a lubrication spec not an oil ratio. I looked up a picture of a can of Echo 2 cycle oil. It is 50 to 1 and says for all 2 cycle engines. See my first post for more details.
- Status
