Millers Oils.
At P&K Thornton Restorations, we only want to deal with the best; and this is why we have partnered with Millers Oils, the leading manufacturer and independent blender of oils, lubricants and fuel additives for classic cars.
Automotive oils that meet today’s vehicle specifications contain the very latest base oil and additive technologies. However, due to changes in fuel and engine design over the years, these products are not always suitable for classic vehicles. Millers Oils has developed a full range of products specifically for older vehicles, taking today’s lubrication technology and formulating it to protect and enhance yesterday’s cars.
Oils, lubricants and additives are used by our technicians during the full cycle of a classic vehicle restoration; this includes during assembly and build, for the running-in of re-conditioned parts and engines, and for on-going vehicle servicing and maintenance.
Beginning with the assembly stage, the use of assembly lubricants provides the initial lubrication during the startup of the engine. When metal-to-metal contact occurs in an engine, localised overheating is created and this can lead to a damaged bearing almost immediately, along with risking other areas in an engine, including the push rod tips, and rocker arms. We use a Millers Oil lube specifically designed to work in conjunction with standard engine oil providing a more robust protective barrier around the metal components during initial startup.
And to ensure that your differential stays working in peak condition for a long time, we employ an extreme pressure differential oil, with the viscosity selected to provide a performance level specified by manufacturers for axles and final drives. These differential oils are used hand in hand with gear oil, also referred to as gear lube, as the highly viscous lubricant for the planetary side of a final drive.
Brake fluids also play a key role in driver experience and vehicle feedback. The Millers Oils brake fluids and high performance motorsport brake fluids maintain their viscosity even at high temperatures, and are robust against water absorption to ensure consistent performance and improved brake-feel.
Our use of good running in oil is extremely important in the optimisation of the performance and fuel efficiency of a reconditioned engine. We only use products designed for the initial running in of re-built engines providing full protection to highly stressed valve gear/associated components whilst allowing piston rings to bed in against the bore.
Once run-in, the oil is swapped for a 20w50 viscosity engine oil, providing optimum lubrication characteristics for engines manufactured in the immediate post-war period through to the early 1980s. This includes the use of high performance competition engine oil for classic sports cars. Intended for use in arduous applications such as sustained fast road use, track and motorsport; these engine oils offers optimum lubrication characteristics and exceptional protection.
With the advent of unleaded fuels E5 and latterly E10, which now contain the solvent ethanol, this can cause fuel system corrosion problems in older vehicles. Fuel lines, hoses and seals are likely to perish if they are not compatible with the increased strength of E10 and could lead to leakage and fires. We use a Millers Oil fuel additive providing ethanol protection, lead replacement and an octane improver that adds up to two octane numbers (20 points) to unleaded fuel. We consider this treatment as vital to prolonging the life span of your cherished classic car.