Castrol GTX 20W-50 and Havoline 20W-50 Debate

[bypassfilter]

quote:

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Originally posted by krholm:
I used Castrol GTX 20W-50 in a 72 VW Super Beetle I bought new. I changed it every 3,000 miles. At 101,000 miles a valve stem broke. The mechanic who rebuilt that engine was also a friend of mine. I asked him to mic out wear points because I wanted to know how much it had worn during that 101,000 miles. Later he told me the engine throughout was within specifications of the car when it was new.

When I got the car back from him I asked how he wanted me to break it in. He wouldn't give me any information on wear in. I asked him if it was his practice to rebuild engines and to refrain from telling the customer how to break it in. He told me he always gave such instructions to all his customers, except for me. He told me that whatever I had done with that car when I bought it, "...just do the same thing again". I drove that car another 200,000 miles, still using GTX 20W-50. Compression checks showed all four cylinders remained up to spec throughout that time.

After all that use for 21 years I sold it for 80% of what the car cost me new.

Havoline 20W-50 (I don't remember seeing it) might would have done me just as well, but the Castrol GTX 20W-50 certainly didn't me in any way.

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Great story krholm!

 

[Flimflam]

Krholm, I had a 1976 Honda 4-stroke motorcycle(CB 400 F), it was run on Castrol GTX 20w-50 exclusively. After thrashing it for 15 or so years, I handed it down to my Buddy. He is still thrashing the livin' daylights out of it, still using Castrol GTX like I told him to. The thing has never had the heads off.

I dare not tell this story anymore these days. People give me strange looks like I am crazy. But somehow, I think you will believe me.

I think also, maybe it is more than just the oil. My mechanic tells me every production line comes out with a few "weird ones." Outliers that are paranormal, so to speak. That run quicker, faster, more powerfully, and live longer too. Possible? You tell me.

 

[jimcor]

quote:

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Originally posted by Flimflam:
Krholm, I had a 1976 Honda 4-stroke motorcycle(CB 400 F), it was run on Castrol GTX 20w-50 exclusively. After thrashing it for 15 or so years, I handed it down to my Buddy. He is still thrashing the livin' daylights out of it, still using Castrol GTX like I told him to. The thing has never had the heads off.

I dare not tell this story anymore these days. People give me strange looks like I am crazy. But somehow, I think you will believe me.

I think also, maybe it is more than just the oil. My mechanic tells me every production line comes out with a few "weird ones." Outliers that are paranormal, so to speak. That run quicker, faster, more powerfully, and live longer too. Possible? You tell me.

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I've got an old GS 550 Suzuki 87,800 on the clock. Daily driver/touring bike! Change oil with my latest fad every 1000-1500 miles. This bike's had everything in it. Shifts better with dino over synths. Go figger!

 

[The Shape]

Weren't race cars around before synthetics?

 

[radiometer]

By Flimflam:
"I think also, maybe it is more than just the oil. My mechanic tells me every production line comes out with a few "weird ones." Outliers that are paranormal, so to speak. That run quicker, faster, more powerfully, and live longer too. Possible? You tell me."

Yes, I think what your mechanic tells you could have some merit. In the late 50s and into the mid 60s I was a member of a military rifle competition team. We were using the M1 Garand. We were well aware that one out a certain number of those rifles would come out as a "match" quality. Part of our task, as a competition team, was to ferret out from our company's 250 or so rifles the best of the lot. They were all good performers, but accuracy for competition was a matter of locating the ones that had it. They certainly did differ. Of course, also, they came from several different manufacturers.

As we discussed the differences in the individual rifles, it came out that sometimes an outstanding car will come off a production line. Your mechanic has a point.

Now, did I just have a super car off a production line? Although it was the Super Beetle model I don't know. Although I drove it a lot I didn't abuse it, although I towed a lightweight pop-up camper with it for a few years. In '68 I towed that trailer from Key West, Florida to Alaska and back to my home in Florida.

 

[Flimflam]

quote:

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Originally posted by krholm:
By Flimflam:
"I think also, maybe it is more than just the oil. My mechanic tells me every production line comes out with a few "weird ones." Outliers that are paranormal, so to speak. That run quicker, faster, more powerfully, and live longer too. Possible? You tell me."

Yes, I think what your mechanic tells you could have some merit. In the late 50s and into the mid 60s I was a member of a military rifle competition team. We were using the M1 Garand. We were well aware that one out a certain number of those rifles would come out as a "match" quality. Part of our task, as a competition team, was to ferret out from our company's 250 or so rifles the best of the lot. They were all good performers, but accuracy for competition was a matter of locating the ones that had it. They certainly did differ. Of course, also, they came from several different manufacturers.

As we discussed the differences in the individual rifles, it came out that sometimes an outstanding car will come off a production line. Your mechanic has a point.

Now, did I just have a super car off a production line? Although it was the Super Beetle model I don't know. Although I drove it a lot I didn't abuse it, although I towed a lightweight pop-up camper with it for a few years. In '68 I towed that trailer from Key West, Florida to Alaska and back to my home in Florida.

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I believe your story about "freak" rifles. Another situation where "one-off" or "freaks" turn up are fishing lures. Ask anybody who tournament fishes. Anything from Marlin plugs to leadhead jigs and wooden minnow plugs for largemout bass.

The Marlin plugs are the most outrageous. 200 plugs can come out of the same Mold, but only 1 of the 200 can whip the whole ****' fishing fleet all on its lonesome!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sands]

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If synthetic oil is so much better,why arn't the HT/HS numbers higher for a syn vs dino?

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Because a synthetic is able to maintain the HTHS for longer because of its ability to not to shear down to a lighter weight as fast as a dino oil....


I'd just say go with a synthetic 20W50 of either brand and be done with it...