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I know this will get differing opinions but what type of oil should I use in my 68' 327/350. I understand that many of the additives (zinc and phosphorus) used in oils of years gone by are missing in todays oils which can effect the wear on older engines.
wow what a tremendous amount of info. Not sure what to select from it all but it is very helpful in understanding whats out there and what my choices can be.
So, does anyone use an oil that dosent cost $10 + a quart yet has a good ZDDP value. Rottella diesel keeps coming up as a more readily available less costly oil but Im afraid to use it in my car for fear of ruining the motor.
So, does anyone use an oil that dosent cost $10 + a quart yet has a good ZDDP value. Rottella diesel keeps coming up as a more readily available less costly oil but Im afraid to use it in my car for fear of ruining the motor.
Greg, unfortunately a lot of people are still brainwashed to believe that you need high zinc levels for old style flat tappet engines. That whole line of thinking has been debunked, because it is simply an old wives tale. But, since people cannot bring themselves to give up old outdated thinking that they've believed in for many years, you can get a lot of bad advice about the need for a lot of zinc in your oil. For the true story, go to my link below.
540 RAT
U.S. Patent Holder
Member SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
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To see my entire 130+ motor oil “Wear Protection Ranking List”, along with additional motor oil tech FACTS (with over 35,000 “views” worldwide), here’s a link:
Member ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
To see my entire 130+ motor oil “Wear Protection Ranking List”, along with additional motor oil tech FACTS (with over 35,000 “views” worldwide), here’s a link:
If you want to play it safe and get oil with zinc that is a quality oil and does not cost an arm and a leg, I would go with Mobil one 0 w40 .
It's full synthetic, has excellent cold start flow properties to get oil to critical components fast and is a 40 weight when hot for good hot running protection.
Walmart carries it in a 5 quart jug about $28 or so. Win win!
So, does anyone use an oil that dosent cost $10 + a quart yet has a good ZDDP value. Rottella diesel keeps coming up as a more readily available less costly oil but Im afraid to use it in my car for fear of ruining the motor.
Valvoline racing, avalaible at all auto parts stores, some walmarts and rural king.
If zinc is a concern to you, Rotella 10-30 has higher zinc level than your standard Valvoline, Pennzoil, etc. If you also want a synthetic then the Mobile 1 10-30 High Mileage also has higher than standard zinc. That weight should be appropriate for your engine. I use the Rotella with absolutely no issues. (468cu in flat tappet)
I took out 3 lobes on Rotella. Cam had less than 5000 miles on it and was properly setup with correct springs. Diesel oils have higher levels of detergents and dispersants. These additives compete with ZDDP for the same space on the lobe so they have increased ZDDP. Racing oils that need increased ZDDP run reduced detergents and dispersants to increase the effectiveness of the extreme pressure additive ZDDP. The only person I have talked to or corresponded with that says higher than the modern 800 PPM of ZDDP is unnecessary in a flat tappet application, especially aftermarket flat tappets is 540 Rat. Every cam manufacturer will tell you increased ZDDP levels are required. Believe who you want.
If you want to play it safe and get oil with zinc that is a quality oil and does not cost an arm and a leg, I would go with Mobil one 0 w40 .
It's full synthetic, has excellent cold start flow properties to get oil to critical components fast and is a 40 weight when hot for good hot running protection.
Walmart carries it in a 5 quart jug about $28 or so. Win win!
i use VR1 synthetic 20-w-50 by Valvoline. and a wix truck filter that holds 2 quarts, just a bit extra insurance. i don't care if i don't need zinc , the cars over 30 years old and always had oil with it and it still does.how do i know someone isn't an environmentalist shill for the E.P.A trying to destroy my engine, just sayin.
If you want to play it safe and get oil with zinc that is a quality oil and does not cost an arm and a leg, I would go with Mobil one 0 w40 .
It's full synthetic, has excellent cold start flow properties to get oil to critical components fast and is a 40 weight when hot for good hot running protection.
Walmart carries it in a 5 quart jug about $28 or so. Win win!
Mobil 1 0W-40 European Formula is a great choice. I use it in all my cars including my 10 Z06 and now the L-82 just rebuilt with a Roller Cam. As stated it has 1,000 PPM of ZDDP versus 800 PPM for most mass market oils AND is a TRUE group IV synthetic unlike most of Mobil 1's other "full synthetics" (they are NOT) and most other oils sold in the USA only that claim to be true synthetics.
As 63 Mako stated do NOT use diesel oils in a gas engine engine-they are NOT the same motors or oil.
Another great choice from Mobil and the only other one I would use in a C3-probably a better choice for a C3 with a flat tappet cam-is Mobil 1 15W-50-Not a TRUE Group IV synthetic but does have 1,200 PPM of ZDDP and is specifically made by Mobil for Flat Tappet cammed engines, high performance engines and racing. I have used it for years in the L-82 before the rebuild-My cam looked great when I took it out-66,000 miles on it-brand new-lifters too.
Both Mobils are at Walmart $25.50 for 5 qts-Its a GREAT deal!
Whats your opinion of mobile 1 extended performance 10 w 30w?
I would not use Mobil 1 10W-30EP in a C3-it has the same level of ZDDP as the regular 10W-30 and just about all the other Mobil 1 grades. One of the most critical times for an engine and its oil is at start up, especially when cold, where 90% of the engine wear occurs. Using an oil that flows well at start up is critical, thus my recommendation of 0W-40 Mobil 1 European Formula-A true group IV synthetic. The ONLY other Mobil1 that is a Group IV synthetic is Mobil 1 5W-50 Porsche Specification-hard to come by and Not available in 5 Qt jugs. As long as the temp is not below 32 degrees (threshold for using a 20W-50 oil, not a 15W), I would use 15W-50 Mobil 1, which I used in my 78 L-82 for about 15 years before switching to 0W-40 recently with my roller cam motor.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jun 29, 2014 at 02:44 PM.