The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Lucas Oil additive

Although I am not a big fan of oil additives I am intrigued by the Lucas product. Not for the crankcase but for an old 3 speed transmission. I was at a trade show last night and was talking to the Lucas rep. He told me some good stories but I still wonder if its just a 'snake oil' one. My biggest concern is the transmission and the front seal in the torque tube that keeps the trans oil in place. I put in an Okie assembly a few years back but still check the fluid level in the trans weekly. I just would not want to do anything that would compromise that seal.
Has anyone tried the product?

I used it as an assembly lube when I had to do some repairs to my od 3 speed. Stuff works great for that. I'm currently using a roughly 70/30 mix of Lucas gear oil/oil supplimen in the tranny, shifts much better than before. It does leak a little, but it did that before with regular gear oil in it.
I did use what was left in my S10, just to se if it would make any difference in performance/mileage. So far, no major difference.

using it in our diesel fuel to lube injectors & pumps . the new fuels are so dry .

I put it in my engine when I did the rebuild as a break-in oil supplement. Was recommended to do just that.

http://community.webshots.com/user/geezer

I have used Lucas oil both in the transmission and rear, before they were rebuilt.
In the past years I have also used it in my 20+ old (since last rebuilt) late 235, during the super-hot summer months when driving on the freeway for hours.

It's the only additive that works, according to many truckers I have talked to.

Been thinking about trying it, but haven't.

That display/demo set-up they use is pretty convincing. The oil with the Lucas treatment in it, sure pulls up and adheres to those gears alot better than without.

Try a little in the steering box, it will drive like it has power steering. Lucas is the only additive that I will use.

I've used it in my 250 and mix it 4:1 (4 quarts 10W-40 to 1 quart Lucas). I noticed that it would build up oil pressure faster on cold starts and idle smoother that just straight motor oil. I was impressed with it and will keep running it when I rebuild my engine this summer. I've considered using it in my 3 spd, but would like to hear a little bit more about it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the bottle say that it is good to use in your rear end?

In who'se rear end?

My truck's differential.

Since retirement I have delivered parts for the local Advance Auto Parts Store and I can tell you that most shops swear by it. Its a little pricey but folks still buy it. A lot of the "walk in" people use it to. For me personally I use "additives" very sparingly and rely on good constant maintenance. However I do agree there is times it makes good sense to add some. I'm sure it helps but just never been one to do it.

I use that lucas in everything I have, what I have noticed is on hot days in tucson that oil pressure does not drop anywhere near than if I ran oil by itself. great stuff, eaven the fuel stuff works great. and the ps fluid stops small leaks.

Have used the oil additive for some time. Although it primarily makes me feel better, it does appear to help with oil pressure, in that it comes up to pressure quickly, is maintained and does not fall off to the extend that it did when I ran oil alone (Rotella 30W) in the warm Florida summers.

Pricey, but I think it worth it. I also use the Lucas lube as well on all of the suspension, which was all recently rebuilt. Have not tried it in the transmission, though. Would be interested in any other information about it in that application.

Lucas is very popular here in Oregon. I have used in the trans and in the engine. Definately not snake oil. Works very well. Many guys here run it in their trucks and cars and use it all the time. Especially hauling loads or pulling trailers and such. The best thing I have used is System 48 Plus. I have it in my Chevy truck and love it. Had it in my diesel 4x4 Suburban ( which I should have never sold) and it made it turn over faster plus super quiet running and quicker revving. Not a gimmick like many other things are. Even put it in my 94 Bravada with the 4.3 H.O. My friend Paul uses 48 Plus in his old 89 Caravan with the 3.0L Mitsubishi engine. Usually noisey top end and now super smooth and quiet even on the cold mornings. Use to clatter and had valve trane noise. Has 167K on his engine. Zippier too. Can be used in trannies and differentials. Its not Teflon. Its nice to know there are some things that really do work! H.

not to confuse things but what about Marvel Mystery Oil ? seems like a good product , but where does it fit in ?

MMO has been around since the 30s.
It's a cleaner/lube fuel additive and helps against stuck valves and other top or head issues from age or too 'dry' fuel.

It also can be add to engine oil, but more as a cleaner. Rather the opposite to Lucas.

I'm using Rotella after reading the threads on what kind of oil to use because of the lack of certain additives in todays oils... I don't know if it made a difference no way to check I'm just going to change my oil every 2000 mile... Old blue Canadian tire has the Lucas on sale once in a while...

I was interested in what SPAREPARTS had to say about adding it to the steering box did it really make turning your truck easier???

I bought a bottle this morning but think I'll wait a bit before I put it in my trans. I don't know what the mix ration would be in that unit so will wait until some of the lube leaks out or drips. And I don't want to drain the trans.

oldblu49, as for "additive" to a transmission I may add that for Automatic's put a quart of 5-30 in it when you rebuild one. I have a friend who, along with his daddy, have built automatic's for over 40 years and has a super reputation. When I put my 700R4 in my 37 he advised met to put a quart in it. I questioned him on this and he informed me that EVERY tranny they did that the first quart that went in it was a quart in the torque converter...even when it was a bench job being picked up by customer. Long story short is that automatic fluid is mostly for keeping things clean with very little lubricant. The oil fills that need. Must work, they are considered the best around here. Let you know after I drive mine for about 20 years!

Good point! I am planning to use it in a 56 year old 3 speed. I have more faith in this product than anything else on the market. Can't say I would put it in my crankcase though. I have an 81 Malibu with 500,000 kilometres on it and the engine has never been opened. I owe it to regular oil changes with a good motor oil.

i bought a quart of lucas engine oil . it looks just like STP ( thick as honey ) . anyone know if it is it the same product ?

As far I have found out even though it looks like STP its not. Much better. I put in my rig in the oil and trans. Works great. STP just thickens the oil where Lucas coats all moving parts with a high strength film so nothing starts dry and helps handle high temps. STP is good for oil burners mainly but does not work like Lucas. As I mentioned in my last post most of the parts stores carry it and sell a bunch on it for trucks large and small and about anything else. Even the engine shops told me its a good product and not a gimmick. I hope this helps those who are wondering. H.

The name has a nice ring to it.

I do use it in my sons car (rack & pinion power steering unit), it stopped leaking.

John

This is a late posting (found it via searching for power steering....of all things).

I have an old, old mechanical hack saw. Use Power Punch on it. PP is pretty much the same thing as Lucas. It sticks to the bar and I haven't had to add oil to it lately. Before, when using just gear oil, it would "dry" fairly quickly.

I've put Lucas additives in the Auto tranny in my Sable and in the power steering. Works as stated. I used their fuel additive in my semi's.

I've used PP grease on the steering of an old non power steering forklift. As stated w/ using Lucas, PP makes it turn a lot easier. The PP oil addative works also. Use it in engines, trannies and rear ends.

A lot more places are selling Lucas now..... before, it was just small shops. Saw an add in Schucks for it. Heck, I think Walmart even sells it now.