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By slumlord444 - 8 Years Ago
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I stumbled on a deal on some old motor oil at a flea market over the weekend. Valvoline 10w40 in a can. 20 quarts for $2 a quart. I am thinking that if it was in a can rather than a a plastic bottle it should still have zinc in it and be good for my Y block. Can anyone confirm that? I can always use it in my '56 John Deer 50 if all else fails.
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By PF Arcand - 8 Years Ago
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You can get a thousand opinions on engine oils.. However, as I understand it, 10-40 oils, especially older rated ones like that Valvoline, are fine for solid lifter engines, as their anti scuff additives are not scaled back by government decree, like the lighter viscosity oils use in modern cars.
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By ian57tbird - 8 Years Ago
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Sometimes manufactures do a run of retro oil cans. It my not be as old as you think. You should be able to check with the tech department if there is any code on the can. Should also be able to get the zinc content as well from them.
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By charliemccraney - 8 Years Ago
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Oil has a shelf life. If it's old enough to be in a can, it has expired. I wouldn't use it in anything.
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By repeater - 8 Years Ago
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Little known fact - that 3.99 bottle of STP oil treatment at the local parts store (the blue bottle) contains as much zinc as any of the bona-fide zinc additives. And it's 3.99.
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By NoShortcuts - 8 Years Ago
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charliemccraney (2/7/2017)
Oil has a shelf life. If it's old enough to be in a can, it has expired. I wouldn't use it in anything.
Charlie. Help! Just checking...
I have always looked at the API rating on an oil container before using the contents in a particular vehicle to assure appropriate application.
While I'm aware of the significant changes in oil formulation over the years, I had never heard that there was a shelf life for the actual use of oil stored in a sealed container. Am I misunderstanding your statement ? ? ?
Thanks for all the information that you share on this Forum. Appreciated! 
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By charliemccraney - 8 Years Ago
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I don't think you are misunderstanding. Google motor oil shelf life and lots of info comes up, including FAQ topics and documentation from major oil manufacturers. Of those major manufacturers, Valvoline is one that say their oil does not but we're talking about oil in a metal can, which makes it at least about 30 years old.
Mobil oil suggest lab testing to ensure that it can still protect adequately. It would be easy enough to take a few samples from different cans and send them out.
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By NoShortcuts - 8 Years Ago
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THANKS, Charlie. Interesting info.
Regards,
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By slumlord444 - 8 Years Ago
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Having $40 worth of oil tested would definately cost more than $40. It's in paper cans with bar codes which puts it after 1974. All Climate Heavy Duty. API Service SC,SD, SE, CA, CB, CC. Googled shelf life on conventional motor oil and got all kinds of answers. Sealed cans so no chance of contamiation. Talked to local auto parts guy who is your old time parts guy who raced stock cars for years. Says should be as far as zinc goes but new stuff has better additives if you discount zinc. A friend had some old synthetic that had stuff settle out in the bottom of the bottle. He shook it up and used it in a small engine with no ill effects. I am tending to think I will use it in my JD tractor and '65 Mustang that is a project waiting completion. I run and drive it a couple of miles every month or so and change the oil once a year as a preventative. When I use it I will pour it into a clear container and see what it looks like first.
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