Engine Oil Question

[Dirtman]

"Race" oils are generally better at handling extreme heat, and have different wear protection additives but have less detergents. SInce race engines typically arent driven long enough between oil changes they don't need the extra cleaning, sludge protection or emissions requirements.

Old flat tappet engines were pretty much designed to use zinc oils whereas modern engines don't need it because they have roller cams and lifters that don't really wear much. Of course you could always just run any old oil you want and add zinc to it. Lots of good zinc additives out there.

 

[ford4wd08]

Yep, sums it up well. I think I'll run the Rotella T5, has over 1000 ppm of zinc in it. Should work well and it is a good price and at my local walmart.

 

[19Walt93]

I used Motorcraft 10w30 Diesel oil in a 429 I worked on last month. It says right on the container that it contains zinc and shouldn't be used in vehicles with cats. The only cats in 71 when the 429 SCJ was built would cough up hairballs.

 

[ford4wd08]

I used Motorcraft 10w30 Diesel oil in a 429 I worked on last month. It says right on the container that it contains zinc and shouldn't be used in vehicles with cats. The only cats in 71 when the 429 SCJ was built would cough up hairballs.

Yeah I don't have a cat problem on my '85...... I had considered the motorcraft diesel oil too.

 

[JohnnyO]

No, you need to add stickers for that.

Beat me to it.

 

[adsm08]

"Race" oils are generally better at handling extreme heat, and have different wear protection additives but have less detergents. SInce race engines typically arent driven long enough between oil changes they don't need the extra cleaning, sludge protection or emissions requirements.

Old flat tappet engines were pretty much designed to use zinc oils whereas modern engines don't need it because they have roller cams and lifters that don't really wear much. Of course you could always just run any old oil you want and add zinc to it. Lots of good zinc additives out there.

Pennies have zinc.

So does Centrum.

 

[Dirtman]

I only use centrum silver...

 

[wildbill23c]

No, you need to add stickers for that.

...and Racing Stripes LOL.

My 88 Bronco 2 says 5w-30 with the 2.9L V6. I run 5w-30 in it and add an oil additive with zinc, do the same with my 4L I6 in my Jeep as well.

 

[19Walt93]

At operating temperature 5w30 and 10w30 perform the same, the advantage 5w30 has is quicker circulation in cold weather. Not 50 degrees, NH cold weather. I have Motorcraft 5w30 in the 351 in my Ranger, the dealer I retired from sells me oil out of the shops bulk system. I bought the 5 qt jug of Motorcraft diesel oil at Walmart for less than $20.

 

[JohnnyO]

Diesel oils have more zinc although it's being cut down in them too. High mileage oils have a teeny bit more than regular oil. STP used to make a zinc additive but I don't see it anymore in the stores. Hemmings sells oil for old crocks now with zinc but it's not cheap.

 

[19Walt93]

Napa sells a ZDDP additive you can dump into modern oil to protect your flat tappet cam.

 

[Dirtman]

Yea, that would be my choice. Run a good quality normal oil and add an additive.

 

[sgtsandman]

@PetroleumJunkie412 has done some study on the issue you are concerned with. I can't remember what his personal recommendations were or which thread he talked about it the most. Perhaps in his Keeping a Promise thread in the 4X4 Rangers section. He did talk about oil additives but I think that was more for cleaning the engine than increasing zinc content but I may be wrong. It may have been for both. 19Walt93 and Dirtman's recommendations would be worth looking into and might be the same.

 

[4.0blue98]

Napa sells a ZDDP additive you can dump into modern oil to protect your flat tappet cam.

That's what I currently do in the 67. I think I have a few bottles of the STP version and a few bottles of the Rislone. I do have a 6 bottle case of the 10w30 Valvoline VR1 racing oil from Amazon. I buy it when it's on sale and got the case for less than 30 bucks.

 

[Dirtman]

I forget what I use in the mustang. I use normal penzoil ultra platinum 10w40 and I think the additive I use is called hyperlube. I know its not actually zddp, its a synthetic alternative that does the same thing.