1969 Jaguar XKE - Oil

[healey147]

I recently bought a 1969 Jaguar XKE and it is running low on oil, therefore, I was wondering what grade of oil I should be using.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Do you know what's IN it?
I recall many moons ago, folks who owned Porsches, bad things happened when you mixed bases......like, never add Castrol to Valvoline, and vice-versa.

If you don't know, don't add, just change it (and filter).

Most old Jags we use 20W-50, nowadays seems to be Castrol of some type.
My 64 still has a tag on the fill cap....."Premium 20W-40", which I've not seen for a long time.

Think 20W-50, especially if it's well broke in....

 

[DrEntropy]

Agreed. Castrol 20-50, oil change & filter.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

20-50 Castrol, been using it in all my LBC's since 1976

Marv

 

[MikeP]

like the others, I'd just change the whole thing since you don't know what's in it, or how much use it may have. Be prepared though, that sump takes about 3 gallons to fill.

 

[Snakeyes]

Consider adding ZDDP additive to your oil. It contains the zinc Compound that helped protect older valve tappets. This additive has been phased out of all new oils as roller tappets replaced the old sliding tappets.

 

[DNK]

 

[LarryK]

Just beware any additive that has to be heated or shaken before pouring into engine. Some of these additives require soaking in hot water or shaken to mix properly. The problem is long term storage these additives usually drop to bottom of sump and coagulate in a lump.