vintage oil

[allrightmike]

   I have two cases of API service SF oil in cardboard cans that I estimate to be late 80's vintage. One is Shell fire and ice 10W40. The other is Kendall Superb 100 10W40. After break in with proper flat tappet oil would the previously described oil be an acceptable choice? Street 427 comp. 282S single four barrel 10.5 compression.
Mike.

[mikeelikee]

I know this is not an answer, but is it worth the risk to save a few bucks?

[fryedaddy]

i would be afraid that its separated or broke down after35+ years, jmo

[cjshaker]

I asked a similar question a while back. Someone more knowledgeable than me said that the oil doesn't deteriorate, but that the additives can settle in the container, so shaking it up before pouring will help mix it properly. But I was asking about current oils that may be stored for 5-10 years. Oils now are better than they were 30+ years ago, so if it were me, I think I'd go with something newer. The caveat being that you have to make sure the modern oil is compatible with older flat tappet cams. I think I'd use the 30+ year old oil for lawn mowers and such.

[fryedaddy]

i would put it up for another 20-30 years.im sure those old cardboard cans will be collectable.

[DuckRyder]

You might find:

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gas-Diesel-2012-04-01-The-eBay-Oils-Part-1.pdf

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gas-Diesel-2012-06-01-The-eBay-Oils-Part-2.pdf

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gas-Diesel-2012-10-01-The-eBay-Oils-Part-3.pdf

Of interest.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/information/newsletters/

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[shady]

Sell them. I think those cans go back to the '70s.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-Of-3-Vintage-Quart-Oil-Cans-Shell-Fire-And-Ice-Oil-Cans/123859287237?hash=item1cd696bcc5:g:3FEAAOSwyvtdQk2z

[gt350hr]

   There is nothing wrong with "old oil" in a sealed container. I look for older ZINC oil all the time for 1-2 dollars a can/bottle. I am not talking about '50s parafin based oils that caused "sludge" build up. Period oil in period engines worked and will still work. Oil is not like gasoline .
   Randy

[allrightmike]

   Thanks for the feedback guys. My lawn mower will love this stuff! 

[Nightmist66]

I think I'd use the 30+ year old oil for lawn mowers and such.

I would never THINK of wasting my Micron Moly on a stupid lawn mower. 

[427LX]

I have 1 qt. of Kendall GT-1 straight 40W race oil unopened sitting lightly seeping from 1971 in the gold cardboard can.

[My427stang]

As a guy who used to be a flat rate guy and had to deal with old oil in fleet repair and daily driver customer repair, I'd avoid any old oil.  The detergent packages in the old days were miserable, chalky residue, sludge build up, although some of the sacrificial additives may have been at better levels, it wasn't all better.

I remember the gray chalk in every corner of a tear down, chipping away sludge from returns, you name it.  Now 60s/70s oil wasn't 90s oil, but for the price of good oil 30 years later, even though it's ridiculous prices compared to then, it's still cheap money

[Cyclone03]

I’m old enough to remember when Mobile 1 came out in standard card board qts, soaked  through in about 90 days on the shelf. My Dad switched as soon as the rep came to the shop,he was an air cooled VW guy and loved the stuff.
Then for years Mobile 1 coming in steel cans.

Would be interesting to compare the single grade Mobil 1 oil to the large product range of Mobil 1 products now.

[allrightmike]

   People used to say the gray stuff was from running STP in the engine.

[machoneman]

Hey, sell it for the can's label to a collector or use it up in a mower, older daily driver, etc. Or, donate it to a tech school that works on beaters for the experience.  Or, give them to a lawn mower service company as small engines won't know the difference.