Best oil to use...
 

I have been following the many discussions on the "best" oil to use in our older hi-perf flat tappet motors...and I'm still confused https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif What do you guys use for the garden variety L78 engine..?? just want to protect what I have and still have some peace of mind..besides, it's time for a few oil changes https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

wilma

Re: Best oil to use...
 

Tom, I use Rotella-T (15w40) In the old days I always used Castrol when it was green. I think it has changed ownership and is not the Castrol it was before (JMO). Even the new version of Rotella is still better than the rest in my opinion because of more zinc. Mobil Delvac and Chevron Delo is also a good choice. I believe they are all diesel oils. Brad Penn is also very good. It is a PA. based oil. Go to Yahoo search and type it in. Nice website. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Best oil to use...
 

Sammy, this whole zinc thing seems to be the issue...the feds have tightened emmisions stuff and that impacted the diesel oils...I have been buying the Rotella..but I think the stuff is diffferent now..I just want a clear answer an what to buy and use on the older cars...

wilma(Sammy's friend in NY)

Re: Best oil to use...
 

Yes the zinc has been reduced in the Rotella but still possesses many good properities that we need. You will get many answers/opinions but we are limited to what we have at hand. Go to the Brad Penn web site. I know Pete likes Brad Penn. Royal Purple is good but I am not sold on using it in casted engines and parts because it may find leaks that a newer engine that has been machined would not. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Best oil to use...
 

Zinc in motor oil for early model cars has been the 'buzz word' for quite a while. Myself, and many others are running full sythetics. Red Line and Royal Purple are popular. I've been using Amsoil for two years with no issues to date.

Re: Best oil to use...
 

I've read many of the oil threads on various sites including this one, and have a stupid question... what if I just use standard non -diesel, non synthetic, non racing, non gimmick oil, like run-of-the mill Havoline or Pennzoil or Shell or (pick your brand) 10w30 conventional oil? I've never used anything but regular old "buy it anywhere" type oil in everything I've ever owned and have never had a problem with anything...I don't even always use the SAME brand as far as that goes... am I just lucky, or is there some hype associated with all the "best oil" threads I see everywhere? Granted I don't run my cars to redline or race or abuse 'em, but I do drive them, changing the oil and filter once a summer or every 3000 miles, whichever comes first... I'm wondering if I should be concerned with the fact that I don't have any "fancy" oil in any of em.

Re: Best oil to use...
 

I'm no petroleum chemist but I think the single biggest thing you can do to protect your motor is to change your oil - often... My personal opinion is a lot of it is hype. I am sure some of the more expensive oils are "excellent" at what they do, but I don't race my car, I just drive it to shows and when we have sunny days. If I was racing then I would probably have a much different opinion.
Like you, I have used a lot of different oils in my cars and never has one bit of trouble. But one thing I did was change them often.... My $.02.

Re: Best oil to use...
 

I would say after the initial break-in if things are going well you are probably alright. You are right Joe it does not have to get or be so scientific. I have always used conventional oil but as the properities come out I try to choose the oil that has the most/best properities that we were used to in the past. To answer your question probably nothing would ever happen to our engines because how we treat our cars and the maintenance we give them. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Best oil to use...
 

I also for years used whatever discount oil I could get, the service rating is more important than just the brand.
However, the fact remains that alot of the heavy metals that once protected the flat tappet cams are not in these oils any longer.
Next time you look at new oil, look at the service rating donut on the bottle, you will see the words "Energy Conserving" . In a nut shell those oils do not have the Zink, ZDDP, need to protect the flat tappet cam's.
I have been using the Shell Rotelle T 15W 40, and it also has taken a hit from the EPA. But from my reading too, it still has enough ZDDP. But keep an eye on it, because it may change it the future.
For me I will be switching to a race oil like Valvoline. That stated right on the lable "Contains increased amounts of zinc for extra engine protection"
Here is a recent thread on this too.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...0/fpart/1/vc/1
Mike

Re: Best oil to use...
 

Hi Tom:
We run full sythetics in everything from lawn mowers to BBC and I mean everything.However in the past few years we started having cam issues in the BBC and after replacing three cams in three engines that should never had to be replaced in my mind ( two solids and one hyd) I am convinced the sythetic oil played a role.I spoke to good friend who rebuilds a lot of BBC and he has seen the same problems just lately and also now uses only the race valvoline.
We switched all of the BBc back to valvoline with gm eos and it seems cam issues on the BBC are gone.