BOR Auto Graph Oil

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I recently purchase this can at a rally with the intention of using it to store steam oil for my model traction engine. I believe that it was originally made by the Burmuh Oil Refinery in Glasgow, circa 1910 and contains graphite in oil.
The can has never been opened and still had a metal seal intact. (a note on the lid to refuse to buy if the seal is not intact).
Does anyone have any history of the product or its intended use ?

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

The company name was Burmah – it incorporated Castrol and after financial difficulties became part of BP.

I seem to remember that Halfords was part of the group too and that Sir Dennis Thatcher was a director at one time.

I suspect that the oil you have is colloidal graphite – a popular additive to car engine oil at one time. People have tried adding it to steam engine lubricating oil but reports suggest it separates out and can clog things up.

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

Many years ago in the 60’s I had an Ariel Leader motorbike, which was a two stroke, I used to run it with colloidal graphite oil in the petrol, the oil was made by Filtrate and I was very pleased with its performance, one bonus was that the mixture ratio was far less than with straight oil which meant that I didn’t leave such a dense smokescreen. Dave W

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I was also told that it is probably colloidal graphite but not sure how it was used. I was told that it is good for lubricating bronze bushes but not ball bearings because there is less friction and the balls may not rotate and wear on one point only.. Not sure if is used straight or mixed with oil (it already is mixed with oil).

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Colloidal graphite was popular for running in engines after a rebore, since it reduced friction, and the likelihood of scuffing.

This was in the days of cylinders being bored, full stop.

Homing and plateau honing has been in use for years and reduced the need for running in, and improved oil control.

It has reached such a fine art that an engine already filled with hot water and oil can be run at Full Load Rated Speed for a power check within a few minutes of start up. What a contrast to taking eight hours to run in and test an engine!

Might be beneficial as an additive to a gearbox, (As well as the specified SAE 80 or whatever ) to reduce friction.

Howard

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Howard Lewis on 23/08/2022 15:56

Might be beneficial as an additive to a gearbox, (As well as the specified SAE 80 or whatever ) to reduce friction.

Howard

I would be a little wary about using in a synchromesh gearbox as the cones need some friction to do their job

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

I used Molyslip in a gearbox, I know it’s not colloidal graphite, the moly caused the premature failure of two needle roller bearings and consequently wrecked the gearbox. I don’t put anything in lubricant systems unless it’s specified by the manufacturer, learnt a lesson the hard way, it was many years ago in my youth. Dave W

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