The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Almost afraid to ask, detergent or not engine oil.

Getting ready to put new2me 48-3609 on the road. Its without a oilfilter and was last plated in 1976 showing a 6-76 marathon oil change sticker on the jamb indicating 10-20 oil was used. 10-20 oil then would be detergent? Without a filter i'd be inclined to use nondetergent. I pulled dipstick and oil looks new, without any fuel smell. I'm gonna warm up and drain tomorrow and looking for comments not arguments about what u'd do. thanks.

You can find all sorts of opinions on the subject, and no agreement whatsoever. Use whatever floats your boat, and you'll probably come out OK. Just a comment, though- - - - -"non-detergent" oil isn't approved by the API for use in any kind of engine, regardless of age. If the American Petroleum Institute doesn't like it, I'm sure they won't be impressed by the opinion of a bunch of stovebolters.

Before you try to start that engine, I'd strongly suggest you do a Stovebolt site search on the subject of waking up an engine after a long period of non-use. It's a lengthy process if you do it right.
Jerry