Oil Recommendation/Solid lifter 427

[Tommy]

My local speed shop is using and selling the Brad Penn stuff. I was using castrol and royal purple in my old junk. I'm gonna go with the Brad Penn and see what happens.


Tommy

[camarojoe]

I use Rotella, or Delo400, but to be honest, I sorta think alot of it is internet hype...especially in an engine that's been thoroughly broken in and just needs some fresh oil. Think about it, there must be several MILLION flat tappet small blocks running out there in the world, and only a few hundred owners (maybe a few thousand) have ever even heard of any of this "no zinc" stuff with the newer oils that has spread itself from one automotive internet forum to the next... They continue to use whatever they find on the shelves and drive away without a problem. If it was a brand new motor I'd be more concerned, (but then again proper cam break-in has ALWAYS been an issue with a brand new motor.) If its something with several thousand miles on it or more I think you can use whatever you want without a problem. In fact, I know plenty of folks that do this and I've yet to hear of any of them wiping out a cam or having any issues whatsoever.

I rank it up there with "lead additive" I used to religiously pour in my gas years ago at every fill up because at the time it was claimed the valve seats would be ruined if I didn't. Then I started realizing no one else I knew was doing anything but filling their classic cars up with unleaded and driving away... So I stopped and have never had a problem using unleaded gas. Maybe I just jinxed myself and my valves will melt into the heads and my cam will flatten out 3 lobes the next time I back the car out of the garage, but I doubt it!

[Bill Rose]

For 10$ worth of ZDDP, is it really worth risking it?

[lzdick]

You're right, Bill. Just like the old Pennzoil commercial said...

<font color="red"> "You can pay me now, or pay me later". </font>

[Unreal]

Well, I lost a lobe on my flat tapper L72 within 150 miles of break-in, using modern low Zn oil -- can't prove it was the oil, but my gut tells me it was. I went back with a roller.

[TDW]

[ QUOTE ]
I suggest that you read this thread and the 2 below it. There has been exstensive testing on most brands of oil.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283416

[/ QUOTE ]

Sigh. If you guys want the real scoop on oils, with lab testing results, READ the link I posted. No guessing, no wives tales, no marketing hype, no "my brother-in-law said", just the facts, mam.

[Unreal]

I read all about it after the fact

[Keith Tedford]

I run Shell Rotella and a bottle of GM's EOS in our L78 since the zinc levels were cut back. No problems so far. We've put about 33K miles on the car since buying it in 1997. Scott Wheaton has spent a fair bit of his own money to have various oils lab tested. You can't seem to rely on advertising for the story.

[Mr70]

I've been useing Valvoline VR-1 20W-50 Racing Oil in my stock L-78 for years and highly recommend it on many levels.

[Steve Shauger]

I was using castrol 20-50 along with the GM EOS which provides the correct zinc level and worked well. However for a short period EOS was nolonger available from GM until it was reintroduced under another part#. Anyway out of necessity I found Brad Penn 20-50 which has zinc and the proper detergents to minimize acid build up as well. I have had excellent results.