[SEL] How to lube old engines?

[George & Norma Armstrong]

Rick,
   It has been suggested that a low-ash oil HD 10W-40W be used in the drip
oiler for the cylinder to avoid gumming up the rings.  I believe the source
giving me this info.  It has also been suggested that we Do NOT use the
modern two -cyle oil in mixing the gas oil for combustion but the best would
be to use Aeroshell Oil 80 SAE  40 or equivalent .  It is  a high viscosity
index straight mineral oil.  I also believe the source for this information.
Your other questions I believe are sufficiently answered by your own
comments.    Geo.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick I. <rdi at rochester.rr.com>
To: sel at lists.stationary-engine.com <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Date: Thursday, October 07, 2004 10:38 PM
Subject: [SEL] How to lube old engines?


>Howdy, everybody!
>
>I've just RE-joined the list; the last time I was here was when it was at
>indiana.edu.
>After years of looking, I've finally found my
>first stationary engine to fix up.  I've been looking forward to this for a
>long time.  I've got a fairly good idea how things work, but the
>little details take a while to figure out, as some things are somewhat old
&
>nearly forgotten technology.
>
>I've now got a hit-and-miss Taylor Vacuum Engine, Type C, 2HP.  It has
>sparkplug ignition with a Wico EK magneto (type 2 drive), and open
>crankcase.  It's a green machine.  :-)
>
>I'm slowly going over the engine, trying to understand thoroughly what
>everything does before I attempt to start it.
>
>I've got several questions on lubrication that I can't seem to find the
>answers to (I've already searched the SEL archives).
>
>1) What weight of motor oil should be used in the piston's drip oiler (in
>moderate weather)?  Perhaps something like straight 30 weight Quaker State?
>Is a multigrade viscosity, like 10w30 ok?  I presume this same weight oil
is
>used to oil other parts of the engine before starting, too, using an
>oilcan.
>-I already know that on this particular type of engine you need to
>mix oil with the gas in order to properly lube the innermost part of the
>piston; I'm planning on using modern 2 cycle oil mixed 16:1.
>
>2) On top of the governor shaft, there's a small pinky-sized tube with a
>flap-cap on it.  You can see the shiny shaft down at the bottom of the
tube.
>I presume the tube is for oil (not grease).  How do I use this?  Do I put
>just a *few drops* of
>(the same) oil in, OR does it get *filled up* with oil?  (I'm not sure why
>this one
>component alone has this tube.)
>
>3) I've got 3 grease cups.  I've read that the bearing grease cups get
>filled with (what else) "cup grease", but what's the modern equivalent of
>cup
>grease?  Perhaps something like wheel bearing grease, e.g. Kendall Super
Blu
>High Temp EP grease?
>
>4) How do you USE the grease cups themselves during normal operation?  I
>presume I'll want to clean
>out the old grease somehow, then fill it (how full?) with fresh grease...
>then
>what?  How much do I tighten the caps down initially?  An old Hercules
>manual I found says "Watch the grease closely, give them a quarter of a
turn
>each time you start the engine".  Is this all the follow up attention it
>really needs- a quarter turn before starting?
>
>5) What oil should be used for the magneto?  Maybe light machine oil like
>3-in-1 or Singer sewing machine oil?
>
>Thanks a lot in advance,
>
>Rick I. near Rochester, NY
>
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