Flat Tappet Engine

[Eddie]

My new Mazda CX7 7 has an I4 turbo charged engine. From drawings it appears to utilize flat inverted bucket tappets. My past favoret oil was Mobil 1 5w30 which has given excellent service in many vehicles. I'm thinking of PP or Mobil 1 again but, am concerned about the flat tappet engine. COMMENTS? Thank you. Ed

 

[Quest]

Ed-

Most recent release of engines that comes with solid valve adjusters (bucket style similar to tappet but with adjustable shims (we call them "pucks") are made of hardened metals that can easily takes a lot of beating and keeps on driving. I would not even dare to confuse with old "flat" tappet engines of yore some 30+yrs ago (different technologies, specifications and requirements anyways).

So even my wifey's 1993 Camry Vee-6 (3VZ-FE) block with over 200,000kms to clock w bucket tappets and never had a valve adjustments of any kind since day-1 has been leading a healthy, trouble-free life for so long. Case to the point: modern stock factory engines are designed with modern motor oils in mind so no worries on the flat tappet cam wear part.

My 2c's worth.Modified engines or engines of yore need not apply.

 

[i_r_teh_noobz]

Sorry to thread-jack, but I've been hearing about "flat tappet" engines since I started coming here, and I've been wondering if my 1983 Toronado's 307 is one. If so, what kind of oil should I run when I get it out of the garage?

 

[Eddie]

Thanks Quest. I suspected or hoped that would be the answer. Ed