MGB Armstrong shock oil- 20W oil?

[wkilleffer]

At the risk of opening a can of worms here...

Front left shock on my MGB has gone dry. In the past, it seems like 20W motor oil was a suggestion for refilling these shocks.

Since then, I've read a few other alternatives, such as hydraulic jack oil, Harley Davidson fork oil... Trouble is, I have had no luck finding the former, and none of what's available through an HD dealer is 20W. Heaviest I could find was a 15W: Screamin' Eagle Fork Oil: Heavy. Supposedly, they have the same in Racing weight, but when I asked about it, they acted like they had no idea. You'd think that Northern Tool or Harbor Freight would have something given that they sell hydraulic jacks in there, but I found nothing.

I'm not sure where I got the last quart of 20W motor oil that I have. It's quite low now, maybe enough to treat the carb dashpots a few more times.

This is a frustrating problem. Should I just order it through amazon? Looks like they stock it, at least.

Thank you,
-William

 

[PAUL161]

You want an anti foaming hydraulic oil. Fork oil, shock oil and mineral oil will work also, but mineral oil is not anti foaming. If the shock leaks nothing will stay in it and needs rebuilding. JMHO. PJ

 

[Billm]

Last time I found "jack oil" was at Walmart and it wasn't very expensive
BillM

 

[DrEntropy]

No petrol based oil will be good, reacts with the seals. Mineral based! Even linseed oil is better than a petroleum oil.

 

[rick_ingram]

I use motorcycle fork oil....got mine at the Harley Davidson dealer. Castrol used to make a fork oil as well.

 

[Bob Branson]

I bought hydraulic jack oil at Harbor Freight, then misplaced it and got a bottle at Was Mart. Not a hard thing to find. Auto Zone should also have it.

 

[TR3MT]

I used Napa Hydraulic Jack Oil. Looks like it is non petroleum based. It seems to be working OK.