Oil – novice needs help

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

Hi, following the death of my father (who was a Member) I was left a 1949 Flying Squirrel. Ive been reading threads about oil types but some is contradictory and a little confusing. Can someon please confirm:

1) What oil should I use in the engine (bottom end) – Silkolene Comp 2 or equivilent?

2) What oil should I put into the oil tank that feeds the pilgrim pump – is that Silkolene Comp 2 (or equiv) as well i.e is it the same oil as the bottom end oil?

3) Should I also use a mix in the pertrol – which oil and what ratio? Is that also Silkolene Comp 2 (or equiv) at say 50:1 ratio?

4) Which is the best oil for the gearbox? Any 140 grade gear box oil or is there a better brand?

5) What would be a good alternative or eqivalent to Silkolene Comp 2 if I cant get it?

Appreciate any help, Iain

[chris wastell]

±Hi Ian,

Silkolene is no better than any other synthetic oil. It is, however favoured by many because they used to make a 5o weight 2-stroke oil especially for engines like the Scott. It combines the heavy weight oil which suits the Pilgrim pump and bottom end lubrication with the characteristics of a 2 stroke oil. Synthetic is definitely best. Good news is they’ve started making 50weight 2-t oil again but I for one, have managed 10-15 years on comp 2 or anything handy, since they stopped selling the other. At the moment I am using Smith and Allen synthetic 2-t off ebay.

If the bike has a working Pilgrim pump you dont need to add any oil to the petrol

Gearbox is OK with 140 oil but will most likely leak unless your dad had fitted a modern lip seal. Having said that, why not leave what’s in it already? Thixotropic grease is a good option, Ive used it for 20-odd years and no sign of leaking.

Good luck with the bike🙂

A

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

Hi Chris, many thanks for this.  Much appreciated.

To clarify, I can use Silkolene Compr 2 or Smith orAllen synthetic 2-t in the engine (bottom end), oil tank and and as a petrol mix?

Im not sure what was used in the gearbox but one of dad’s old mates will know, Im sure. Ill find out next week when Im back in Adelaide.

Many thanks, Iain

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

I think I’ve figured out where I am confusing my no mechanical mind. Can you clarify: The oil I add to the oil tank (on the right hand side of the bike) feeds the pilgrim pump which monitors oil feed to lubricate the entire engine (top and bottom end)? On a Scott there is no other place to add oil to the engine or engine ‘sump’? Is that correct? Apologies for the basic, even dumb, questions, the Scott and two strokes are a mystery to me. Cheers iain

[gammakeith]

Yes, that is correct in what you say. The Pilgrim on a Scott feeds the main bearings and the oil is then thrown to lubricate the rest of the engine.  You cannot use petroil without modification as the main bearings will not get lubrication that way.  There are provisos though.  Pilgrim pumps can be unreliable when worn so quite a few Scotts have been converted to petroil and/or the Pilgrim converted to dripper only action.  Where are you based?  You might get some benefit from talking through the bike with a local owner?

Good luck!

Keith

[ScottyH]

Dont forget that the wells of the engine need to be filled with 2-stroke oil just up to the level where the crank picks up oil as it rotates. I would strongly advise to either drain and flush out or remove any residual oil that you find in the wells prior to attempting to start the engine

[ScottyH]

Dont forget that the wells of the engine need to be filled with 2-stroke oil just up to the level where the crank picks up oil as it rotates. I would strongly advise to either drain and flush out or remove any residual oil that you find in the wells prior to attempting to start the engine

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

Ah, thanks for this. The bike was pretty much drained from transport. You say fill the wells of the engine, but (newbie question) is the oil put in via the oil tank or another way? My dad was the engineer, not me, I’m afraid.

[ScottyH]

No just remove the crankcase doors and poor the engine oil until it fills the well up until it just touches the bottom of the crankshaft on both cranks

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

Brilliant. Really appreciate your assistance. Thank you.

[chris wastell]

Make sure you have a good seal when refitting the crankcase doors if you check the oil level in the wells that way. It is imperative you have nowhere for air to get in the crankcase, it won’t start.

[chris wastell]

We’re all waiting to hear if it starts!😂

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

Thanks Chris. I assume that is the only way to fill the wells?

And, believe me, when I get it started, you’ll hear the cheer before I can post a video.

Thanks to you and everyone else who has offered their sage advice. Very much appreciated.

[chris wastell]

I can see Scotty H’s point in checking the ‘wells’ but I can’t see why there wouldn’t be any oil in them, there’s no reason to drain the oil from there. Whereabouts are you based, geographically?

[iainberesford69@gmail.com]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>How do you actually get the oil into the wells if they are “dry’? Is removing the crankcase doors/covers the only way? As mentioned, I am non mechanical so this is a voyage of learning for me.</p>
I am based in Guernsey. Apparently the only other Scott owner on the island died a few years ago and his collection of bikes was sold in the UK.  I sought him out for advice!!

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