Yes, this is a popular subject, indeed. Engine oils, what to use and what not to use.I have a link here.
Link It is rather technical, but in the beginning you will get a good idea about how different base stocks works for the oil companies. You will also learn that they are classified in different Groups. As you also will see, is that the different base stocks will perform differently in a test engine. This means an engine oil made from one base stock, is not equal to an engine oil made from a totally different base stock.
This in turn means that engine oils from Shell will not perform equal to engine oils from Mobil, simply because they will not use the same percentage of base stocks in their engine oils.
Depending on where they buy their base stocks from, parts of the world, different suppliers. I have more links, here is a new one.
Link Here is another one.
Link As you can see, an engine oil without any additives at all will be API SA, that was before 1930.
API SB came in 1930 and were good up to 1964 when a API SC came. SB have additives to prevent corrosion, and minimise oxydation and wear.
SC have detergent additives too. This means a API SB oil can be used in a Ferguson TE/TO 20 serie tractor. But, as you also see, API says that later oil specifications can be used because they have better qualities than the older specifications. In some websites I have been to I find indications that in some cases oil companies promote "non-detergent" engine oils for old engines and for who knows the reason offer API SA oils, maybe to be sure there are no additives in them. But, then they have offered an engine oil that is only to be used on engines before 1930. And is that very wise? .. they are more prone to cause engine wear, worse on oxydation, and they have no additive to prevent different types of corrosion, not only rust, but also corrosion from sulphur that attacks engine bearings. And, to make an API SA oil they are allowed to use the worst base stock oil that is possible to find... base stocks that are more or less given away on the market for free because no one can use them in normal engine oils. I do not understand this can be a good oil for our tractors.
I must admit I had no idea about the base stocks before now today, but I clearly see that not only contains non-detergent oils less additives or no additives at all... but they can be made from low quality base stocks too. And this is very worrying. I could never recommend such an oil in an engine at all. To me, the older engines are even more precious than a new engine. Just my opinion....
Bill
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