Motorsickle oil?

[cbxer55]

20w50 is all over the place...even Wal Mart.
Available in both dino and synthetic.
Not used very much for current vehicles, but was widely used in the 80's and 90's
Grumpaw

Yeah, when I used to work at Chief Auto Parts back in the early 80's, out biggest seller was Castrol GTX 20W-5.0. Couldn't keep that stocked up. People came in all the time and bought cases of it. Funny thing, we also sold lots of Valvoline 60 weight Racing Oil. Lots of it. And lots of straight 30 weight. Hence my propensity to liking to use 20W-50. But the reality is, it's getting hard to find even in auto parts stores here. I suspect there may come a time where the only 20W-50 I'll be able to buy will be motorcycle oil. I won't have a problem with it, should it occur. I don't have a problem with zinc. I think it's left out of car oil just for EPA requirements.

I just google zinc in motor oil. This is what I found, top of the list.

What is motor oil with zinc? ... Its primary role is to prevent metal-to-metal contact between engine parts by forming a protective film. Despite being referred to as zinc, ZDDP also contains phosphorus, which helps to perform the anti-wear function in the motor oil.

Seems like a good thing to me.

 

[Grumpaw]

Yeah, when I used to work at Chief Auto Parts back in the early 80's, out biggest seller was Castrol GTX 20W-5.0. Couldn't keep that stocked up. People came in all the time and bought cases of it. Funny thing, we also sold lots of Valvoline 60 weight Racing Oil. Lots of it. And lots of straight 30 weight. Hence my propensity to liking to use 20W-50. But the reality is, it's getting hard to find even in auto parts stores here. I suspect there may come a time where the only 20W-50 I'll be able to buy will be motorcycle oil. I won't have a problem with it, should it occur. I don't have a problem with zinc. I think it's left out of car oil just for EPA requirements.

Lot of older car/truck owners will only use 30 weight. Up until the late 60's cars/trucks used 30 weight high detergent oil...was called for by the manufacturers. Changed many a car and truck oil back then...Castrol 30whd and Hasting or Wix filters. Most older 60's and earlier engines, if still stock and not rebuilt still require 30 weight.
Grumpaw

 

[cbxer55]

Lot of older car/truck owners will only use 30 weight. Up until the late 60's cars/trucks used 30 weight high detergent oil...was called for by the manufacturers. Changed many a car and truck oil back then...Castrol 30whd and Hasting or Wix filters. Most older 60's and earlier engines, if still stock and not rebuilt still require 30 weight.
Grumpaw

Can't even remember the last time I saw a straight weight oil in an auto parts store. I guess they have to special order it.

Although I can't say for certain, I think the guys who bought the Valvoline 60 weight Racing Oil were harley riders. I think the heavier oil made them quieter and less likely to drip all over the place. LMAO!!!

 

[Grumpaw]

Can't even remember the last time I saw a straight weight oil in an auto parts store. I guess they have to special order it.

It's still out there, but you may only find one or two brands carried, and it might be just one row of oil. Gotta look.
I know our local Auto Zone, Advance Auto, and O Reilly's carry it. Stilll buy it now and then as my old lawn mower takes 30 weight.
Grumpaw

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

We one guy that was adamant he had to have straight 20wt non detergent for his planter because that is what his manual called for. Only place that stocked it was Dollar General.

It took me 10 years to convince him universal hydraulic oil would work.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I saw straight 30w at Wal-Mart Canada a couple days ago on sale. Could be getting rid of stock.

 

[Locotomb]

2.9l tick = Collapsed hydraulic lifter. usually accompanied by an exhaust manifold leak, or winter. lol I'm not positive but I think the Cam bearings fix is a myth.
Fix= Replace lifter and clean clogged passages. You can also convert the hydraulic lifters into solid lifters with some washers. But that's kinda noisy.