Thoughts on 'cam-shield' zinc additive

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Mar 21, 2019 | 01:53 AM

Novusuhu

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2017

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From: Belgium

Thoughts on 'cam-shield' zinc additive

Hey everyone

I have 1977 with l48 stock cam and heads. I live in Belgium.
I'm going to do an oil change. Will go with 15w40 mineral oil.
They recommend a zinc additive called 'cam-shield'...

Do you guys have any experience with this additive?
Are there other additives to give the extra anti-wear protection for the cam, ...

Mar 21, 2019 | 05:07 AM

Dusky

Pro

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 587

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From: Belgium

I'm Belgian, Pm me for sources of good oil.
I can get amsoil etc.

Mar 21, 2019 | 11:10 AM

68post

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 788

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From: Indianapolis IN

https://www.hyperlube.com/product/zi...ment-additive/

A zinc replacement additive, completely synthetic.

Mar 21, 2019 | 11:17 AM

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.

Royal Canadian Navy

You don't need an additive. I'd contact Dusky.

Mar 21, 2019 | 11:22 AM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Crossville TN

I believe that a zinc additive would be a good idea...IF you use mineral oil as your engine lubricant. However, my preference would be to use Amsoil or other quality auto engine oil which already has zinc additive as well as other oil modifiers to protect your engine during normal use. I also think it very wise to use a full synthetic oil with adequate zinc additives (excessive zinc additive is completely unnecessary with an L-48 engine being used normally).

Last edited by 7T1vette; Mar 21, 2019 at 11:24 AM.

Mar 21, 2019 | 12:40 PM

lionelhutz

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: South Western Ontario

15W40 is also unnecessary with a L48, 5W30 or 10W30 would work fine.

Mar 21, 2019 | 01:29 PM

Novusuhu

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2017

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From: Belgium

I already bought my oil...
The seller doesn't take returns.

Last edited by Novusuhu; Mar 21, 2019 at 01:30 PM.

Mar 21, 2019 | 01:32 PM

Jebbysan

Dr. Detroit

Joined: Mar 2012

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From: New Braunfels Texas

Nobody can say definitively if you need Zinc or ZDDP after the cam is broke in or not. I just get a pint and pour half in at the oil change....why not? When you have 6k into a flat tappet engine like I do.....it is just insurance.

Jebby

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Mar 21, 2019 | 05:19 PM

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

Exactly, What is the 15W-40 mineral oil you have?

Brand?

Is it intended for diesel?

for example, a popular Mineral diesel oil in US is Shell Rotella 15W-40 CK-4

Mar 21, 2019 | 06:45 PM

#10

HeadsU.P.

Le Mans Master

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From: Cool Northern Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by resdoggie

You don't need an additive. I'd contact Dusky.

You should clarify that. He doesn't need a bottle of additive, but preferably needs an additive already in the oil with a flat tappet.

Mar 21, 2019 | 08:30 PM

#11

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 5,338

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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.

Royal Canadian Navy

Clarify what? The OP and Dusky both live in Belgium. I'm sure they can work it out over there.

Mar 23, 2019 | 09:11 PM

#12

Novusuhu

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 1,075

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From: Belgium

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackson

Exactly, What is the 15W-40 mineral oil you have?

Brand?

Is it intended for diesel?

for example, a popular Mineral diesel oil in US is Shell Rotella 15W-40 CK-4

Mar 23, 2019 | 09:45 PM

#13

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

http://www.mpmoil.nl/products/index....00&language=en

Seems that oil is product of Netherlands ... MDM International

That oil is rated SF / CD which is OLD but that should also have very high zinc & phosphorus. A VOA (virgin oil analysis) would tell but I don't see one on line.

Its MSDS does not tell me how much zinc & phosphorus.

IF, IF it were mine, I'd run it without any additional additive.

Mar 24, 2019 | 09:41 AM

#14

Novusuhu

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2017

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From: Belgium

I think I will just a little zinc add. To be sure.
Do you guys know of other 'brands' then cam-shield?

Mar 24, 2019 | 09:57 AM

#15

REELAV8R

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2011

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From: Hermosa

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackson

too much zinc causes problems too. Given this is an L48 it’s zinc requirements are going to be less than something with high valve spring pressures.
SF is a 1988 oil rating, so plenty of zinc in it.

Last edited by REELAV8R; Mar 24, 2019 at 10:00 AM.

Mar 24, 2019 | 04:32 PM

#16

68post

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 788

Likes: 100

From: Indianapolis IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novusuhu

I think I will just a little zinc add. To be sure.
Do you guys know of other 'brands' then cam-shield?

What "REELAV8R" says above is absolute, do not add more zinc to an SF oil. If anything add a little moly, or see the link for the product I sent that replaces zinc entirely and reduces friction btw all parts.
An SF oil shouldn't require anything more - with a stock L48 !

Last edited by 68post; Mar 24, 2019 at 04:32 PM.

Mar 24, 2019 | 04:47 PM

#17

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68post

What is that zinc replacement? What's actually in it? Exactly which hyperlube product is it? Link?

Last edited by jackson; Mar 24, 2019 at 04:51 PM.

Mar 24, 2019 | 05:07 PM

#18

68post

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 788

Likes: 100

From: Indianapolis IN

https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...nt-additive%2F

Synthetic Polymer Ester, that is all.
If you search , read what Molakule has to say about it on the "Bob is the oil guy" forum.

Mar 24, 2019 | 06:31 PM

#19

HeadsU.P.

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From: Cool Northern Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by REELAV8R

Its not just high valve-spring pressure that has wiped cam lobes. I have seen stock L48 low pressure springs wipe a cam too. A 35 yr old set of springs.
Its not just the pressure on the lifters & cam. Its the constant friction without any zinc that destroys the metals. Zinc is a coating designed for metal to metal contact

Remember, Zinc was introduced to automotive oils several decades ago and has been removed from oils less than a decade ago. That's why we are still seeing wiped cams showing up on forums.

Nine years ago I knew nothing about zinc. Never heard of it. I used average brand, off-the-shelf oil that was on sale. Made it three years, then the unmistakable sound
showed up.

To think and to say that zinc is not needed in Flat Tappet engines is a Ostridge head in the sand approach to being mechanically minded.

Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Mar 24, 2019 at 06:32 PM.