20w50 valvoline for Spitfire with 1500 engine

[ryan2022]

Hi guys,

just wondering about oil for my folks Spitfire 1500.

It specs anything from 10w30 to 20w50. Valvoline makes a relatively high zinc 20w50 so I was pointing Dad in that direction.

The main issue with the 1500 engine is the bearings in the lower end.

If I remember reading correctly, in most cases a 50 weight oil should provide better crank bearing protection?

thanks.

 

[Johnny]

Back in the day most who drove Spitfires or MG's used Castrol 20W50 (as I did in mine) but the Valvoline would probably work just fine. Pennzoil also makes an excellent 20W-50.

 

[hounddog]

Rotella or Delo 15w40.

 

[aquariuscsm]

How about Pennzoil GT 25W50? I`ve had the Valvoline VR1 in my car for about 3 months now. I may change it tomorrow to either the Pennzoil GT or Royal Purple 20W50. Just depends on how lazy I feel (it`s my day off).

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks guys. yeah I think 20w50 is the way to go.

It burns mucho 10w30, 10w40 is okay, but it loves the 50 weights, although with the little engine, it feel like its rowing through peanut butter. lol.

I think he's heading out ot get the 20w50 VR1, but the same place actually sells rotella 15w40. ah, the choices.

 

[sangyup81]

How would the synthetic 50's like 0w50, 5w50, or 15w50 do?

 

[mechtech2]

I had a Spitfire, but an 1147 cc model.
I loved it.
The Miata was originally conceived with Spitfires as a basis.

I used thick oils back then. It was what was available and went along with the general thinking of the average citizen.
I went overboard with straight 40 and 20-50.
It ran, and even managed through winters.
I used Standard Oil LDO 10-40 sometimes, and noticed better performance all around, but I thought it was too thin.
Because thicker was better.

You cams are not aggressive, and the springs are not heavy.
A super high zinc oil is not needed, if it is broken in.
The cam system will wear anyway [even back then]. English cars were known to be 'adequate' concerning materials.

I assume this car is used, so a 15-40 diesel HDEO would be good and safe.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks guys.

I may sway him to 15w40 rotella thats on sale right now. He'll probably just change it twice a year.

It actually just had a set of cams installed, and the top end rebuilt. Dad added a tube of zinc additive for the past seasons oil change interval.

a 40 weight feels nice and snappy, 50 feels smoother but slightly sluggish. there is a noticeable difference in the viscosities between the two.

I'll keep you posted

 

[Jim Allen]

I used 20W50 in the MGs,TRs I owned back in the day ('70s, not to mention Land Rovers from the '80s to the '90s) but I doubt I would today. I agree with Mechtech2: 15W40 should do the trick.

Mechtech: I loved the "adequate" comment!

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
The Miata was originally conceived with Spitfires as a basis.


I always thought/heard that Mazda was basing it on the original Lotus Elan (they even copied the looks a little bit-or A LOT, depending on your viewpoint

)??

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Hi guys,

just wondering about oil for my folks Spitfire 1500.

It specs anything from 10w30 to 20w50. Valvoline makes a relatively high zinc 20w50 so I was pointing Dad in that direction.

The main issue with the 1500 engine is the bearings in the lower end.

If I remember reading correctly, in most cases a 50 weight oil should provide better crank bearing protection?

thanks.


There was a Spitfire 1500 in the SuperStore parking lot here in Leamington last week... was that your Dad's ??

 

[fdcg27]

You are right.
Mazda even admitted to buying three Elans.
They were certainly aiming a little higher than the Spit.