Which Oil?: Choosing the Right Oils & Greases for Your Vintage, Antique, Classic or Collector Car

If you own a classic, collector, vintage or antique car, you face the problem of choosing the appropriate modern lubricants to use for its engine, gearbox, final drive and chassis. The original owner’s handbook, if you have one, is probably of limited use as the lubricants it lists are probably no longer available. Even if you have some good information, you still have problems: are modern oils suitable? If yes, which ones? (Even within a single brand there may be five or six different oils sold for apparently the same purpose.) If no, then why not? What characteristics are unsuitable, and where do you turn to obtain an appropriate oil? This book gives all owners the information that will allow them to understand the lubrication needs of their cars, and to relate those needs to modern lubricants. You will be able to make correct and safe choices, or to seek out appropriate specialised lubricants if necessary, using step-by-step instructions. Answers are also given to many of the most commonly asked questions about suitable oils for classic cars.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction & Acknowledgements 2. Historical eras 2.1 Prior to 1915 2.2 1915-1929 2.3 1930-1944 2.4 1945-1959 2.5 1960-1972 2.6 1973-1979 2.7 1980-1999 2.8 Post 1999 3. Basics of lubrication 3.1 Appropriate viscosity under the operating conditions 3.2 Stability of the lubricant 3.3 Protection of surfaces 3.4 Protection of the lubricant delivery system 3.5 Imperfect lubrication 4. The roles of lubricant components 4.1 Reduction of oil thinning with temperature 4.2 Reduction of oxidation susceptibility 4.3 Dealing with mixed or partial lubrication regimes 4.4 Dealing with boundary lubrication 4.5 Dealing with emissions 4.6 Friction modification 5. Engine lubrication 5.1 Performance level 5.2 Viscosity level 5.3 Summary 6. Transmission lubrication (including final drive) 6.1 Controlling the wear of the gear teeth 6.2 Automatic transmissions 7. Chassis, steering and wheel bearing lubrication 7.1 Types of grease 7.2 Consistency of grease 7.3 Grease performance specifications 8. Choosing appropriate lubricants for your car 8.1 Your engine 8.2 The transmission 8.3 Chassis and wheel bearings 9. Answers to some common questions 9.1 Engine lubrication 9.2 Manual gearboxes 10. Glossary Index

About the Author :
Richard Michell is a 64 year old Chemical Engineer. He developed, through necessity, a knowledge of the mechanical aspects of cars while at university, driving an MG TD and helping a fellow student race an MGB. He put this knowledge to good use some years later when he joined an Australian petroleum company and took responsibility for the formulation, manufacture, and sale of its full range of lubricants. In 1989 he joined a privately-owned company that specialises in the contract manufacture of lubricants. He still consults to that company. Richard has owned many cars in the years since that original TD. His current collection includes a Porsche 912, a Lancia Beta Spider, and an Austin 7 Sports. He uses his cars daily and does his own servicing and maintenance.