Oil question?

[RF Overlord]

I refer to Baub when there is a 'snake oil' question on the table.

The only snake oil I use is for my pompadour.

[TJCOX]

Ha sucked you in with that title
If the oil is non-detergent you could use it in a 2-cycle, however if you put it in a 4-cycle engine it may cause it to burn oil as my wife's uncle found out in his 66 Mustang.
Back in day when it was difficult to find 2-cycle oil, non-detergent was what I used and had no problems with it. If you used detergent oil in a 2-cycle the spark plug would foul out.
If you want you can possibly exchange it for a replacement of the same brand. (HaHa) What brand is it? I have a quart of Castrol GTX 20W/50 that I wouldn't hesitate to use in an older 1950-1980's vehicle or Motorcycle. My cycle could use it and the brand was recommended by Honda. Some of the additives may break down, but it still will lubricate the engine safely.
I have an empty quart can of Medalist SAE 20-20W that happens to be non-detergent and
I used it to lube electric motors with, that required n/d oil.

I found an old can of unopened oil the other day that I probably bought 30 years ago. I was wondering if oil has a shelf life. I wouldn't use it in a car, but what about a lawn mower? Anybody have a thoughts?

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[Turbov6Bryan]

LOL. My girlfriend ran her Briggs mower motor to the point it locked up and seized from the lack of oil

I kicked the blade about two hours later to free it up, added what ever oil she had in the trunk of the car, and the mower lasted 5 more years

I'm sure 60 year old oil that looked good would have been fine for that Briggs

[FordNut]

I used to have an old mustang that was a real oil burner. It was my second car so anything to keep it running was good enough. I would change the oil in my primary car (and motorcycle, mom's car, etc) and save it to top off the mustang. I wouldn't have worried at all about a fresh can of 30 year old oil going in it!