So many great replies sharing a wealth of experience - I love this site.
The sludge was a little disconcerting, and I worry a bit about what's moving through the oil, but I also recognize that this is an old engine that sat for a long time (I don't know how long) since it last ran. The tan colored oil immediately screamed "water" to me, but I figured (hoped) it was merely condensation, and the few minutes of running since the oil change seems to confirm that, the oil is now so clean that it's difficult to read on the dipstick. Nonetheless, I'll still change the oil in very short order (I considered adding diesel too, Dusty, but figured a short-order oil change (slowly cleaning it up) would be more appropriate until I have a feel about how much sludge is really in there). I may very well just drop the oil pan, it looks so darn simple (i.e., accessible) on this engine. For now, though, it's so cool to see that old engine run, which I will let it do a few more times to see what happens to this clean oil, then change it at the first sign of a color change.
Y'all are making me feel a little better about not having a filter on the engine, but, still, it feels so friggin' odd.
Thanks,
Chuck
It is an odd idea to not run a filter, especially on an old engine that you wouldn't think would run clean and efficient, however....
I pulled the pan among other items to replace seals and gaskets last spring. The oil wasn't terrible, truck had been run on an off over the years, but there was white/grey sludge at the bottom of the pan trapped between the baffles. Some speculated on here it could be lead from leaded gas back in the day or lead from the bearings, depending on the type of bearings that may be installed. Just an idea where some discoloration could come from. Now, we've only ran about a tank of gas through it on the new oil, and ours does have a filter, but I'm surprised that the oil still looks brand new, I would have expected it to get dark rather quickly.
