Originally Posted by
Mickey2
In the days of cast iron machines, motor lube was probably either along the lines of petroleum jelly or a purified petroleum derived oil emulsified and thickened with soap (made from lye and oil). They should still be available.
I'd believe either of those possibilities. The old stuff has a feeling slightly different than straight PT, but behaves the same. In theory, saponizing wouldn't have to change melt point, or spread rate.