Crankcase oil

[Blackshadow54]

I have a 1949 Buchanan meteor that, after a transmission rebuild, is about ready to fire up again. What weight oil should I be using? The recommendation in the manual is no longer available...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Crankcase oil

I have a 1949 Buchanan meteor that, after a transmission rebuild, is about ready to fire up again. What weight oil should I be using? The recommendation in the manual is no longer available...

Ayuh,.... welcome Aboard,.... Is that the name of the boat, or the motor,..??

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Crankcase oil

The recommendation in the manual is no longer available...

I'm also curious on what engine this actually is. Motor oils change over the years.... a more educated guess can be given once we know what engine that is.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Crankcase oil

The recommendation in the manual is no longer available...

That sounds as though you have the manual? What does it recommend?

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Crankcase oil

The engine is a 105hp 6 cylinder flathead, built in Orillia, Ontario Canada. It was used in boats built by the Port Carling Boatworks and the Duke Boatworks in Port Carling.

On an engine this old it's safe to assume the bearing tolerances are "generous"! I would think a heavier weight oil would be needed - 25/40 or 20/50?

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Crankcase oil

I cannot imagine that such an engine is not an auto engine reworked for marine use. I was thinking the old 6 cylinder Gray Marine engines were originally Chrysler flatheads--and often seen in Chris Craft boats thru the mid 50's.

Wouldn't the oils of the time be single weight oils--like 30W or 40W?

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Crankcase oil

I cannot imagine that such an engine is not an auto engine reworked for marine use. I was thinking the old 6 cylinder Gray Marine engines were originally Chrysler flatheads--and often seen in Chris Craft boats thru the mid 50's.

Wouldn't the oils of the time be single weight oils--like 30W or 40W?

Yes, I believe these were same/similar engines as used in Chriscraft.
I agree they probably used single weight oils back then, but think that a higher weight modern multigrade would be a better choice.

 

[matt167]

Re: Crankcase oil

Chris Craft "K" engines were a Hercules QX series engine ( same series as used in Diamond T trucks ). Gray Marine did use Chrysler Flatheads.. single weight 10 thru 40 weight was common, basic car engine of the day recommended 20 weight. Much of the reason is because many used some splash lubrication for the crank bearings.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Crankcase oil

Chris Craft "K" engines were a Hercules QX series engine ( same series as used in Diamond T trucks ). Gray Marine did use Chrysler Flatheads.. single weight 10 thru 40 weight was common, basic car engine of the day recommended 20 weight. Much of the reason is because many used some splash lubrication for the crank bearings.

And the Buchanan engine was also based on the Hercules QXC - so they have a common heritage.
So, back to the oil question - Blackshadow54, does this engine have a pressure lube system or "splash" type?

 

[Blackshadow54]

Re: Crankcase oil

the engine is pressure lubricated, but shares the crankcase oil with the transmission, which is splash lubricated... and thanks for all the replies!

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Crankcase oil

Done some more research - the oil system is gear pump pressured and recommended oil is SAE 30, but could be 40 in hot weather and 20 in cold weather!
Check this out for manual for Hercules engines


CNYARA Library.

Select Chris Craft from list and then Hercules OpMan PDF from next list.