MIL surplus fluids (1960’s/1970’s) still usable?

[wc56daveyboy]

I just picked up 4-5 or so, 5 gallon metal drums of
Various surplus fluids ranging from 30 wt to 50 wt engine oil, even some 90 weight GO.

Still packaged in their original metal drums. Sealed and tight.

My original reason to grab these was for “props” at our ww2 weekend.. ya know, to add to our already loads of OD painted stacked cans and equipment for our maintenance depot.

However, started wondering if I could use these fluids in my ww2 vintage dodge trucks.

I believe I read some time back that someone on this forum still used military surplus engine oil and greases in their vintage truck

My assumption is oil and other heavy grease and fluids don’t go bad IF left completely sealed in their original metal cans, which these are.

After all, they were in the ground for millions of years before being processed!!

I thought also these older engine oils and gear oils contained the zinc we desperately need in our vintage motors.

Thoughts? Don’t use or “what the heck, why not”?

[gyknot]

I'd use them. In fact I have used cans of decades old sealed oils before and have seen no problems.
Never really understood why the military would put expiration dates on oils and such. My opinion is the same as yours, that if sealed well there is no logical reason to think they would go bad.

Now on the other hand, I will not be surprised if somebody with actual scientific knowledge of these things, will disclose some reason why they could go bad.

[wc56daveyboy]

Thanks for your insight..

I’m gonna start with the 90 weight at some point.
Figure that the transmission s d transfer would be the least likely to suffer should for sone crazy reason, this stuff has a problem.
As opposed to putting in the motor!!

Well
Someday we will see I guess.

Besides… With the rising prices of oil these days, at about $25-$30 per gallon for either engine oil or gear oil, it would save me a bundle.

Speaking of which… anyone else finding that Rotela engine oil is hard to find on the shelf lately?

[YLG80]

Yes I would use it with no concern.
I’m also using military oil and grease surplused when an helicopter maintenance center was shutdown.
No problem, excellent high grade military products in intact packaging.
Yves

[chibobber]

Buddy of mine was a missileman at a Nike sight in Illinois. As part of their routine, all hydraulic fluids for the launch systems were changed out on a regular basis. The "used" fluid just sat in the system until replaced by new fluid. He had gallons of the stuff . We used it in floor jacks and hydraulic presses or any piece of equipment that needed it. I would say go for it.

[Fred Coldwell]

Speaking of which… anyone else finding that Rotela engine oil is hard to find on the shelf lately?

Yes. I haven't seen it regularly stocked in Sam's Club in a carton of 6 one-gallon containers for the past 6 months, or in Wal-Mart in the quart bottles. The very few times Sam's Club had a pallet of it I bought a few cartons, so have some tucked away. Would love to see it back in plentiful stock.

[wc56daveyboy]

Well I needed some 90 weight GO after draining a transmission so decided to open up that 5 gallon pail of gov surplus gear oil

I stored the drum upside down for a few weeks to make sure if any part of the oil that might have settled in all these years would get mixed.

That and rolling the drum around a good bit before opening to make sure it got mixed up, if it even needed this.

Anyway. Opened it up. Drained out what I needed.

Much darker than a modern gear oil?
Weird? Or is that how they were? Or did years in the drum darker it?

Anyway. In the Tranny. Working just fine

[dpcd67]

Gear oil was darker back then. I would use it if I had it. It was Joel who always said he had drums of original oil that he used. Don't know what happened to him.

[wc56daveyboy]

Yea your right. It was Joel who wrote he used mil surplus oils

Actually I reached out to him recently abs he responded.
I’m thinking by his response he might have not been well?

Not sure if he had Covid or something?

I hope for the best health for him.