Can You Trust OIL???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Victoria VA
Can You Trust OIL???
So I'm just wondering how many out there are adding an additive to your oil? Or using a certain type oil due to everything being said about new oil not supplying enough protection for old flat tappet cams. I started asking around and no one I know is doing anything but I see post about it on many forums. I know several racers with flat tappet cams and they do not use racing or synthetic oil a few just use straight 30W. They have been racing for years almost every week end the track is open. They also are mechanics and they said they have not changed anything to there own cars.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 51
From: Lexington Park Maryland
You can do a search on "ZDDP" on this Forum and have more stuff to read than you'll ever want..... or just use Mobil 1 15W-50 (which has 1200ppm of ZDDP) and forget about it !! Also, check out the ZDDPlus website: http://www.zddplus.com/. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Or you could do nothing since there is still no smoking gun on cam failures. I have yet to use a ZDDP-laden oil or any additive and still going strong with my flat tappets. If the issue was ZDDP, then everyone not using it would suffer failures, while everyone using it would be cruising happy. Spring pressures are a variable, but I've yet to see anything conclusive on the issue. A lot of speculation for sure, but no smoking gun. It could be the Internet's pervasiveness has raised this to heights it would never see without all the sharing and maybe cam failures are no more common than they've ever been. But that too is just speculation. Use the oils and additives if it gives you a warm, cozy feeling.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
Also, do a search on Redline Oil. They are the best when providing more then enough ZDP for Flat Tappet Cams. As mentioned, do your research and choose something within your budget. But there are oils out there that provide enough protection without having to use an additive.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Victoria VA
I've read most of this stuff and thats why I'm wondering just how many out that that does not use it has had a problem. I know I never have used any type oil additives. I'm kind of with gerry72 on this one. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
Also, do a search on Redline Oil. They are the best when providing more then enough ZDP for Flat Tappet Cams. As mentioned, do your research and choose something within your budget. But there are oils out there that provide enough protection without having to use an additive.
Redline, Valvoline VR-1, Joe Gibbs Racing oil, Penn 1 Racing oil. There are so many opinions on the forum and on the streets but non seem to be based on any facts, mostly opinion or the fact that they have not had a cam failure "yet". Rotella now is not what it used to be. Everyone just dumps that brand name out there but are not up on the facts. It is now a high detergent, lower zinc formula. Call or email the 4 manufacturers I named, they are more than helpful & will give you only facts. They don't push their product nor do they care what you run, they only gave the facts!
We put THOUSANDS into our cars & engines and then cry about a $50 oil change which for most members, lasts almost an entire season. I run Valvoline VR-1 as it's available at any Napa store. OK, bring it on as I know I'm going to get beat up now.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I was recetnly reading in hot rod mag (or car craft) about some cheap chinese made lifters that were "floating" around for a while (or still) resulting in wiping cam lobes. I did have a comp cam 268XE wipe a lobe early on. I followed all their directions and commonly accepted precautions. From what I understand many others had similar problems with this cam. I suppose internet makes it easier for everyone to know about problems and sharing experiences and can also be used to flame rumors.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Any of you guys running flat tappet cams for years with the same oil broken in a new cam in the last year or two ? Also the oil you are using may have enough ZDDP to keep you going 
I use Bran Pen semi synthetic racing oil. I happen to believe the reduced levels of Zinc dithiophosphate and other additives are the cause of the recent rash of cam failures
I use Bran Pen semi synthetic racing oil. I happen to believe the reduced levels of Zinc dithiophosphate and other additives are the cause of the recent rash of cam failures
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: Mertztown Pa
I just put in this oil:
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/p-35...il-10w-30.aspx
It is called Collectors choice. The main reason I tried it was for this reason:
Additives to help prevent seals from becoming hard and leaking from infrequent use. • Antioxidants to combat the effects of humidity changes during storage that can lead to moisture and even rust in an engine.
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/p-35...il-10w-30.aspx
It is called Collectors choice. The main reason I tried it was for this reason:
Additives to help prevent seals from becoming hard and leaking from infrequent use. • Antioxidants to combat the effects of humidity changes during storage that can lead to moisture and even rust in an engine.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
100%. For the small price difference there is no way I would not run the highest ZDDP content available in the weight I wanted if I had a flat tappet engine. Cheap insurance! ZDDP was added to protect flat tappet cams. It also damages Catayletic convertors. It was mandated to be reduced by the EPA. Modern oils don't have adaquate protectants for your flat tappet cam anymore. Some of the specialty oils do have these protectants as do a lot of the motorcycle oils. I got 4 sealed gallon containers and 3 quarts of the old formulation Rotella T 15-40 W Rating CH4 and CG4. It is a 6 gallon case with 1 oil change out of it. Don't have a flat tappet motor anymore. $80 shipped. That is $3.75 a quart.
Last edited by 63mako; Mar 18, 2009 at 09:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 11
In the last two years I have built 3 motors and performed two cam swaps and swapped lifters only a Pontiac 400 with 50,000 miles on it (crappy PAW lifters were noisey). Used Delo 400 15/40 in everything and always add a can of STP. Also use STP as assembly lube. No problem with any of these. I've built dozens of engines using Delo and STP over the last 35 years and have never lost a cam.