Push Button Lubrication

[Chuck Lutz]

There's a Mark II on Ebay today (very nice one) who's ad sports the comment ".. push button lubrication". I seem to remember something about this as a factory item (maybe?). Anyone heard of this?

This car also has the auto-dimmer feature.

[Barry Wolk]

I ran across a letter in the files about auto-dim. They weren't keen on doing it as a factory option as they had to alter a Lincoln unit to fit. They encouraged dealers to install the product. However, the car would show us as a DSO if it was factory installed.

There was another letter on the auto-lube feature that stated that they were NOT going to make it available.

Do any cars you know of have it?

[Mad Scientist]

I seem to recall that in one of my fathers old Lincolns it had this option.

Don't think it was too popular with service station operators. :D

[Chuck Lutz]

I don't think I've seen the auto-luber on any car to date. I do remember reading something about the concept. The car is 2702 in Fla. Not noted as a DSO.

[2MarkIIs]

It was available on lincolns starting 57 maybe 56 not too sure. Ran for a few years maybe till 59. Auto lube was also available on mercury. It obivously was not available for the mark.

[Don Henschel]

Just looking through both authenticity manuals (my old yellow one and LCOC 1995) they both mention "At least one Mark II has been advertised for sale with a lubrication system installed which was also available on the 1956 and 1957 Lincolns, however, no factory invoice is available. The Automatic Lubricating system was offered only as a dealer installed accessory"

[linmk2]

Built-in lubrication is not a new concept. Many older autos had it. Packards come to mind. A series of Packard built in 1925 (Packards were built in series, not model years) was the first to offer the push button lubrication system. The make continued to offer the feature way into the 1930s. The system was made by a company called Bijur (I may have misspelled it, but it was something like that). By pressing the button or floor mounted control, major suspension components were lubricated. If I remember correctly, the oil used was somewhat like 50 weight is today. Bijur produced the special oil. As an aside, I once owned a 1957 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud SWB Saloon, that was equipped with a built in lube system. With the press of a floor button, oil was pumped to a number of front suspension components and the garage floor.:)

[Barry Wolk]

I believe the system that Duesenberg used was a pressure-feed system that operated from an external PTO on the engine. I believe the reserve was mounted on the firewall.

I would imagine the system worked pretty well.

[linmk2]

Barry, you are correct about the Duesenberg. Suffice to say if August and Fred designed it, the system worked perfectly. On the Bijur system, the special oil came in a can, it was simply poured in a small tank. If I'm not mistaken Bijur is still in business and makes lubricating equipment for heavy industry.

[Shawn Newcomb]

Didn't one of those old systems work automatically by way of an hour meter?

[Barry Wolk]

Don't know, but that makes sense to do it that way.

[linmk2]

Yes, Duesenbergs did have a very complex timer that triggered the lube of various components. Jay Leno was a number of Duesenbergs and he shows the timer on one of his cars. It can be viewed at www.jaysgarage.com. This forum is of course about Mark II's, so we are getting off track. Suffice to say that the push button lube system was not a RPO on a Mark II. As far as the Mark II is concerned, push button lubrication is moot point.

[Barry Wolk]

What are the last 4 digits of the serial number?

[Barry Wolk]

It was not factory installed, according to the DSO List.

[Barry Wolk]

Neither feature detract from value, IMO. I believe that both would be acceptable under LCOC judging rules as I can document that both were available as factory approved, dealer installed, options.

[Mad Scientist]

I would question just how well a system like this would actually grease the car. As some grease fitting take only moderate pressure to get the grease in and others need extreme pressure.
If the system is set to fill the light ones then the heavy ones will not get any grease, conversely if it set up for the heavy ones the light one will have grease squirting all over.

[dmallord]

hi guys,

i have the pleasure of working on a customers 56 premier, and it does indeed have the auto-lube feature installed. there is a button on the left side of the dash, and what looks like an indicator light as well. I am trying to find a definitive operations manual for this system.

any ideas?

david

[Don Henschel]

I don't think I've seen the auto-luber on any car to date. I do remember reading something about the concept.

While I was down in the states 3 weeks ago I ran across this first time discovery for me in a 57 Lincoln Premier. While looking under the hood it took me a few seconds to figure out what the heck this unusual device was:confused:! I was not expecting it to be mounted here! Sorry about the quality of some of the pictures. Other than a cheap camera, it was hard to see what I was taking due to sun shining on the camera display:(
The (blurry)picture of beside the glove compartment I beleive was the switch and indicator light for the lube system.
A Canon Rebel is on my to get list!

[Chuck Lutz]

So do you think that was a factory installed option or aftermarket at the dealer?

[Don Henschel]

Definitely factory/and or dealer installed.If memory serves me correct, the little grease can had the Lincoln logo on it. I should have wiped it off before taking the picture!

[richroni]

As a teen, my family owned a '55 Lincoln Capri convertible that had pushbutton lubrication. We bought the car used @ 1958. This feature never worked while we owned it.