motor oil

[pope]

Wow thanks Mark,

I just put an enexpensive 10W-40 in while I get it tuned and timed. Strong magnets on the oil filter and oil pan to collect metal pieces. Once its running like a top then I'll change to 15W-40.

thanks alot

matt

Everything I have read says that it is the initial breakin of the engine thats the most important time to use a 15W-40 and a cam prelube with Zinc in it. I think that you have done the opposite. This is new to me too, but when it comes time, I think I will go with the Rotella-T.

[124cso]

I have always used a 20w50 multigrade and although all the modern cars use thinner oils, it is still about. If you have a castrol supplier, you should be able to get hold of GTX which they have been making for yonks.
The only drawback I've found with Castrol is that it appears to get dirtier quicker. This is due to the graphite content which changes colour once it has been round the motor a few times.
They tell me that some of the Hondas now run a 5W oil - a bit like thick water ! It is not because of some superior engineering qualities of their engines, but because it takes less horsepower to pump it around !

[124cso]

By way of coincedence, in today's mail was a flyer from an auto parts retailer with Shell Helix 20w50 on sale for $12.75 a gallon pack.

[So Cal Mark]

I was at a trade show this weekend and talked to an Amzoil rep about the zinc-phosphorous situation, and then by coincidence the new issue of Engine Builder mag had an article about it.
Here is what the article says,
"Any oil that you get that says API or ILSAC GF-4 contains a limited amount of zinc and phosphorous, and for most racing applications, that's not what you want. Some engine builders have switched to diesel oil for break-ins as some of these formulations are known to have higher levels of zinc. The current diesel oil spec is CJ-4 is limited to 1200 ppm so it does have 400 ppm more than API pass car oil but it's only marginally better."

API oil is limited to 800 ppm of zinc phosphorous.

Here is what Amzoil has to say;
"Products like our 10W-40 and 20W-50 high performance engine oils contain higher ZDDP levels, and so are perfectly suitable for flat tappet camshafts."

There is a company now selling a zinc-phosphorous additive. You add 8 oz to 4 qts of oil for the recommended level of protection to convert any API oil. Contact the company at lesfrickshun@inbox.com

Torco is also selling a zinc additive available at egge.com, part number is A010033LE

[So Cal Mark]

another update on motor oil;
ConocoPhillips Lubricants is pleased to announce that 76 High Performance Motor oil SAE 20W-50 and Kendall GT-1 High Performance Motor Oil SAE 20W-50 have been reformulated with a boosted level of zinc dialkydithiophosphate (ZDDP) in order to provide enhanced wear protection and oxidation resistance for use in the most demanding applications. Modern high performance flat tappet camshafts typically are not phosphate coated, as were the older OEM camshafts. This makes the camshaft break-in period critical. Higher levels of ZDDP, which provides antiwear/antiscuff protection as well as oxidation inhibition, can help protect these new camshafts during the critical break-in period. The newly reformulated 76 and Kendall oils contain approximately 1200 ppm zinc; significantly more zinc than was used even in the late 1960s during the muscle car horsepower wars. For more info; http://www.kendallmotoroil.com or http://www.76lubricants.com

at least we're getting some choices now

[TulsaSpider]

Wopw this totally opened my eyes to this situation! I'll know what to get next time!
You guys rock!

[So Cal Mark]

Valvoline has just released a full-synthetic oil with zinc, called Synpower Full Synthetic. They claim it's the only full-syn oil with zinc. List price is $6.99 per qt

[pope]

Mark,
So glad you are staying on top of this. Almost forgot, A couple of months ago I was reading about Mobil 1 motorcycle oil and how it is not under the same restrictions of passenger cars, in that the ZDDP is 1600ppm. It is an API SG,SH oil and has more heat tollerance and antiwear, more detergent and corrosion protect than Mobil1 passanger oil. They said it is because bikes get hotter, and then sit in the garage longer during the winter time. They come in 10W-40 and 20W-50.
A 10W-40 with 1600ppm of ZDDP. sounds like a dream.

Not pushing Mobil, just happened to be reading about them. Wonder if anyone know about these oils. Will try investigating some more on this.

[So Cal Mark]

I've never heard of the Mobil 1 cycle oil. Is it for 4 stroke motors? At least there are several options now for oil. I've been using the Shell Rotella lately, and it's fairly reasonably priced compared to the synthetics

[pope]

I think you will find this rather funny. I have done some searches on the web of the oils and they are $12.80 a qt. WOW!
I have also come across a lot of sites that are motorcycle sites that are telling their readers to switch their expensive motorcycle oils to Rotella-T!!!!

Now thats funny... car guys looking at cycle oil and cycle guys looking at car (deisel) oil.

The Mobil1 brand names are,
Mobil1 Racing 4T 10W-40 & Mobil1 V-Twin 20W-50. Both 1600ppm ZDDP and good to 300° temp.


found AutoZone $8.89 qt. and at some Walmarts even cheaper.
Still a lot for oil, thats about $40 for an oil change every year. Well, maybe not that bad if its once a year.

[manoa matt]

"found AutoZone $8.89 qt." Yikes!

Shell Rotella is about $9-13 for a jug of 5 quarts. That's slightly more than needed for one oil change. Considering that, $40 will get you a change every 3 months for a year.

[pope]

LOL "3 months is the driving time here in Michigan"

I think Rotella is great also, were just searching for options. Also, I think Rotella is in a gallon jug (4 quarts)

[kristoj]

I think you will find this rather funny. I have done some searches on the web of the oils and they are $12.80 a qt. WOW!
I have also come across a lot of sites that are motorcycle sites that are telling their readers to switch their expensive motorcycle oils to Rotella-T!!!!

Now thats funny... car guys looking at cycle oil and cycle guys looking at car (deisel) oil.

The Mobil1 brand names are,
Mobil1 Racing 4T 10W-40 & Mobil1 V-Twin 20W-50. Both 1600ppm ZDDP and good to 300° temp.


found AutoZone $8.89 qt. and at some Walmarts even cheaper.
Still a lot for oil, thats about $40 for an oil change every year. Well, maybe not that bad if its once a year.

I use Mobil 1 V-Twin in my Ducati. But of course I only have to buy two quarts once a year, which I source from my local Autozone store for $8.50/qt. For about $5.50 a quart, I buy Mobil 1 extended performance 15W-50, which has 1200ppm ZDDP (compared to the 1600 in the motorcycle oil). Given that I don't run my Fiat nearly as hard as my Ducati, I figure 1200ppm should be adequate. My concern with using any non-synthetic oil, regardless of ZDDP content, is that my turbo will cook it. I don't drive my car in cold weather, so the higher weight isn't a concern for me.

[htchevyii]

like Mark found, the hot rod guys been talking about this for awhile. I've been running Delo 15\40 in my Nova & the Spider. I've also heard GM e.o.s. Is good for break in.

[So Cal Mark]

the Delo seems to be similar to the Rotella. I just read the GM changed the name and part number of EOS, but the product is still available.