It dawned on me the other day that, since my RJL converted OS .40 FP is pefectly happy using 20W50 instead of castor, that half the reason for using ether has gone away. I don't need to worry about disolving castor into the kerosene. The other half of the reason remains, of course, and that is lowering the ignition point of the kerosene. Surely, diethyl ether isn't the only light distillate that can do this. Obviously, things like benzene and carbon-tetrachloride would be way too dangerous even if you could buy them. But what about stuff like acetone, toluene or naptha? I'm not about to start playing mad scientist on my own with this stuff, but, is there a chemist in the house?

Oh, and yes, I know how wonderful castor is, etc. etc. But it costs a fortune and provides protection that I don't need if I avoid overcompressing or otherwise stressing/overheating my engine. Besides that, I'm guessing that a good quality 20w50 will tend to bind up combustion acids better than castor does.