REMOTE OIL FILTER. nippy engine bay

[Austin in the Shed]

It's worth putting a magnet in the sump plug to pick up any metal particles.

[Rpm]

Austin, strange you should say that I have a large powerful 4" circular magnet attached to the sump. I will take a picture and post when I remove the sump plate to see how effective the magnet has been.
Regards Rob

[Bruce Nicholls]

I have used modern multi-grades from various sources and grades (10/40 & 20/50 etc) as long as I have had the car (1971). Never had any problems due to this that I am aware of.

[AustinWood]

I now use a semi-synthetic 5/30 which seems to work very well. I might consider using a zinc additive too but am not sure the Austin engine really needs it.

[Zetomagneto]

The cam followers would benefit from it

[Derek Sheldon]

RPM,
I would advise against using a modern multi grade oil,IF, you don’t know the provenance of the engine. Carbon and sludge maybe what is keeping your engine running. Ok if it is a run in fairly recent rebuild then yes use modern oils , I use Halfords Classic 20/50.

[AustinWood]

I know my engine is clean internally. I rebuilt it with a Phoenix crank about 10,000 miles ago and had it in pieces recently to fix oil leaks that had developed.
I was using straight 30 and had been thinking of looking for 5/30 for some time. I think keeping to the specified viscosity, ie 30, is a good idea and the 5/30 means that the oil pressure when cold is much lower. I also seem to have an improvement in performance, which I think may be down to modern oil technology.
I don't have a camshaft to hand and don't know what the lift is on a standard cam. However it is a slow revving engine so less of an issue.
I have a Citroen SM which has aggressive cams on flat bucket tappets. It is also high-revving for 1970. Zinc is essential and good used cams are very rare.
In the 1960's I used Castrol XL because I liked the smell. Some of the cheap oils smelt dreadful!