Motor oil

[vin 58]

I just recently got my motor back from the shop and heard some horror stories about motor oil. From what I hear is that the gov't removed zinc from motor oil and this raises hell with flat tappet cams during break-in. I'm wondering if any of you heard this and do you have any solutions?

[Rusty Everitt]

Shell Rotella still has all the good old stuff in it, but the zinc level is suppose to be lowered a little some time in 07.
Also the diesel motor oils are suppose to have all the good stuff too like "Delo400"

[dq409]

All Valvoline Racing oils are good also,,,dq

[1958 delivery]

I just recently got my motor back from the shop and heard some horror stories about motor oil. From what I hear is that the gov't removed zinc from motor oil and this raises hell with flat tappet cams during break-in. I'm wondering if any of you heard this and do you have any solutions?



Who knows, maybe they'll remove WASTE from gov't too!

[Ronnie Russell]

For the newer guys, you can search "zinc" in 348-409 engines and read thread " camshaft". We had quite a discussion on this topic and uncovered quite a lot of information.

[Phil Reed]

I don't know anything about zinc, but Tony Shaffer at Day Automotive uses only Quaker State to break-in his engines. When I told him I only use Valvoline...he said that those tend to take longer to break-in.????? After a 1000 miles, he said to change over to Valvoline. I've used Valvoline since my first car in 1963 and have never had any failures due to oil. Unless that time right after I bought my 63 400HP Impala and blew the 4-speed out of it!!!! Only had the car 2 weeks and parts of the trans are laying on the street!! Towed the car back out to the Chevy dealer and showed him where they gave me a 30 day warranty!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was pi**ed but I got a new trans. When I picked up the car...he said the warranty was no longer any good!!!!

Ah............the good ole days!!!! I'm sure glad I was born when I was. I was going to say I sure am glad I grew up when I did but the operative words here were "grew up"!!!!:doh :doh :rofl :rofl

[tripowerguy]

Phil I wouldn't want to question Tony, that would be like questioning Moses on the Ten Commandments, but oils are being changed a lot to meet emmissions standards. Zinc makes catalytic converters fail. With the new engines all having roller cams the zinc is not in the newer oils. I would go with a truck oil such as Rotella or Chevron Delo just for the peace of mind. I have used Castrol for 20 years and I switched because I lost a cam. The cam was in the car for over a month before it went, not on startup. I lost the lobes on number 8 and a lot of others list number 8 lobes on this site.:cuss Roy

[Phil Reed]

I have a new 2006 Duramax dually. When I went in for my first oil change, I told them to put in Rotella because it's a name that I've heard for years with diesel engines. When I went back in for the second oil change...they had the correct Valvoline for me. I said I'd stay with the Rotella. They told me that Valvoline was better......Rotella leaves a lot of sludge build-up over time.??? So I went to my favorite Valvoline. Don't know if I did the right thing or not.........

[dq409]

Tony Shaffer at Day Automotive uses only Quaker State to break-in his engines. When I told him I only use Valvoline...he said that those tend to take longer to break-in.?????

If I`m reading what Tony says, Valoline has better friction lubrication properties if he only recommends it after break in.

Could make sense to use a different oil on break in but how do you protect the cam during this time?
Phil , bring that question up with Tony next time you two talk,,, dq

[models916]

Rotella T is availabe in syn now. Same additive package they tell me with better temp protection and less sludge build-up.

[Tom Kochtanek]

Choosing oils is a lot like selecting a religion. There are lots of good choices out there, what's important is that you believe :).

I used Valvoline's VR-1 Racing Motor Oil on break in, and just hit 3000 miles since last April. But then I'm Catholic :). And that's what you guys said to use last year when I was breaking in my cam!

Cheers,
TomK

[Ronnie Russell]

Tom, You did good!!!! Can't argue with success. Yep, ask 6 guys what oil they favor and you get 6 different answers. All of the major brands are good in my opinion. I've been using Valvoline for 40 years, but it's probably no better than many others. To each his own............:)

[Russ348]

All Valvoline Racing oils are good also,,,dq

I assume you would not agree with this statement while reseaching motor oil

Racing Oil, NASCAR oil, etc.
"Some manufacturers also sell something they call "racing oil." Normally, this is actually fairly decent oil, but you should not be mislead into thinking racing cars use the best oils for you. Race drivers start their engine one time only, warm it up slowly and carefully, then run the engine near or at the red line for a couple hours. 100 to 500 miles later, they completely tear down the engine and replace all the worn parts, the oil, and the oil filter. If you think you might like to go more than 500 miles between major engine rebuilds, you might consider that your use of your engine is quite different from Michael Andretti's."

[vin 58]

Has anybody hear of Joe Gibbs "driven" racing oil? They have a petroleum based blend called "BR" made especially for camshaft break-in in flat tappet motors. it supposed to have a high zinc content. vin 58

[cabriolet409]

Guys,
There are two articles in the February 2007 Car Craft Magazine, on pages 44 and 48, which address exactly what you're talking about. Probably the most useful part of the articles is a table on Page 47 which lists the zinc levels in motor oils. They also give part numbers and where the various oils and supplements can be purchased.

BTW, I recently noticed that our local Home Depot carries gallons of Shell Rotella-T. It's in the lawnmower parts aisle, in case anyone's looking. :beerbang

[1958 delivery]

I assume you would not agree with this statement while reseaching motor oil

Racing Oil, NASCAR oil, etc.
"Some manufacturers also sell something they call "racing oil." Normally, this is actually fairly decent oil, but you should not be mislead into thinking racing cars use the best oils for you. Race drivers start their engine one time only, warm it up slowly and carefully, then run the engine near or at the red line for a couple hours. 100 to 500 miles later, they completely tear down the engine and replace all the worn parts, the oil, and the oil filter. If you think you might like to go more than 500 miles between major engine rebuilds, you might consider that your use of your engine is quite different from Michael Andretti's."


I was told years ago that "race oil" is not meant for everyday useage.

[dq409]

I was told years ago that "race oil" is not meant for everyday useage.


BS,,, For years we used Valvoline 20/50 Racing oil in the cars with turbo diesel engines and had great results!
Cut oil consumption and turbo failure big time. ,,dq

[indyjps]

comp cams and others sell a cam break in additive, does anyone use it.

[Ronnie Russell]

indy, I have used Crane's CRN-99003-1 additive in the last 3 engines for breakin. Not sure it is neccessary, but for $8 , I figure it is good insurance.

[models916]

I use the GM engine oil suppliment.

[1958 delivery]

BS,,, For years we used Valvoline 20/50 Racing oil in the cars with turbo diesel engines and had great results!
Cut oil consumption and turbo failure big time. ,,dq



What make of car had a turbo diesel?

[models916]

Puguet? Is that how you spell it?

[1958 delivery]

Peugeot
I'm not sure a french sardine can is worthy of the title "car"!

[dq409]

Peugeot
I'm not sure a french sardine can is worthy of the title "car"!

Yep !!! Peugeot !!!!
Although some people didn`t think much of the Peugeots they were infact a very good car !!!
The 505 was one of the best built cars I have ever worked on !!
They were designed like they made the engineers work on them BEFORE they went into production.

They had a vevy strong following and if they were still around I would own one today !!!
Fast, comfortable, reliable and drove like a sports car !!

The gas 505 STI turbo was a remarkable car !!!

Another fellow Peugeot machanic here in Portland won several national Races at Atlanta Race way with his 505 ! ,,dq

http://www.505turbo.com/videos.php