Engine Oil Question

[ford4wd08]

I know engine oil questions can be beat to death and over analyzed.....

I've spent time on Bob is The Oil Guy long enough to know that lol.

I know my 2.8 is a flat tappet pushrod engine. I would like to use an oil that has higher levels of zinc to help with keeping this thing running as long as I can.

Looks like Valvoline VR1 is a popular choice.

So here is my question, I believe the 2.8 recommends 10w-30.

I see my local Rural King has VR1 on the shelf in 20w-50 for $4.99 a quart.

https://www.ruralking.com/valvoline-vri-20w-50-oil-1-quart-822347

Any harm running the 20w-50 down here in the warm south??

 

[Dirtman]

On an old engine like that, 20w50 is probably just fine but why not just buy the proper weight oil online instead of grabbing the only thing on the shelf at the store?

 

[ford4wd08]

On an old engine like that, 20w50 is probably just fine but why not just buy the proper weight oil online instead of grabbing the only thing on the shelf at the store?

Because it is half the price lol

I will order the proper one most likely, but I usually like to go pick my oil up from a store.

 

[Dirtman]

Like I said, I doubt it will hurt. Older engines are much more tolerant of using different viscosity oils than modern high tech engines. If you like to grab your oil from the brick and mortar stores I get that. The oil passages aren't very small and there's nothing that demands a extremely specific viscosity on 2.8. So if 20w50 is in stock go grab it, but id look around in the meantime for some 10w30 to put in at your next oil change.

 

[ford4wd08]

I don't see why RK only stocks the 20w-50, I would think they would sell a lot of lower viscosity if they stocked it??

 

[Dirtman]

Maybe they sell alot of the lower viscosity and thats why its out of stock.

Edit - just noticed this is a "race oil". 20w50 is much more popular in racing than 10w30.

 

[ford4wd08]

I did just find this at pep boys.....

https://www.pepboys.com/valvoline-10w-30-vr1-synthetic-racing-1-qt-/product/889179

Might order me up some.

I'm not trying to over think this, but I believe the older colognes can benefit from higher levels of ZDDP.

 

[Dirtman]

Zinc is good for any engine. It's not widely used because while its very good at protecting the engine itself, its not good for emissions or catalytic converters.

 

[ford4wd08]

Zinc is good for any engine. It's not widely used because while its very good at protecting the engine itself, its not good for emissions or catalytic converters.

Luckily I don't have to worry about either on my B2.... lol

 

[RobbieD]

Maybe they sell alot of the lower viscosity and thats why its out of stock.

Edit - just noticed this is a "race oil". 20w50 is much more popular in racing than 10w30.

So . . . if I switch to a "race oil", my truck will go faster, right?

 

[Dirtman]

So . . . if I switch to a "race oil", my truck will go faster, right?

No, you need to add stickers for that.

 

[RobbieD]

No, you need to add stickers for that.

Ahhh! Got it! Thank you, Sir!

 

[ford4wd08]

I doubt the 2.8 gets any speed from racing oil.....

I hate that it is even named that, guess it is good marketing....

 

[ford4wd08]

I might go back to looking at a diesel oil like Rotella. I've good luck with it in the past....

 

[ford4wd08]

I think I found another cheaper alternative that I'll run....

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4377748/Shell_Rotella_T5_10W-30_***API