Help Oil for 1967 390 flat tappet engine

[Ariff]

hey guys,
I have been doing a lot of research on this site and have come to the conclusion that a HDEO would be a good choice for older flat tappet engine. I have been using older CI-4 rated Rotella T 15w 40, but I now like others find it impossible to find any older CI-4 rated Rotella. So I set off to find a different HDEO that might do the trick. I am a little confused and was hoping you guys here might be able to set me straight. I went to Advanced auto last night to take a look at their selection. I ended up picking out 5 qts of Castrol GTX diesel CI-4 rated oil. I was hoping to get Rotella but it was all CJ rated. They did have CI-4+ Delvac 1300, Motorcraft, Valvoilne premium blue and some Coastal generic stuff. However I was confused since it said on the back of these CI-4+ bottles it met all the CJ-4 and SM Specs. However on the Castrol GTX diesel I bought it said it met all CI-4 and SL specs. So my question is did I get the rights stuff? Or are the other oils better? What is the difference between CI-4 and CI-4+.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[Robert1955]

Amsoil AMO 10W-40 looks like it would do exactly what you need.

AMSOIL Synthetic (AMO) 10W-40 and (ARO) 20W-50 Premium
Protection Motor Oils are high viscosity oils engineered
to protect against metal-to-metal contact. They resist viscosity
shear and are formulated with a heavy treatment
of anti-wear additives for excellent protection of gears,
bearings, cam lobes and other high-pressure components.

Here are the ratings.
• API SL/CF, CI-4 Plus
• API SJ, SH, SG…
• MIL-PRF-2104G
• JASO MA (Motorcycle)

 

[Greg L]

I've had luck finding the older CI-4 Rotella jugs at some local Autozone stores. (Northern Calif)

They usually have it on the top shelf or tucked behind the others. They also seem to have a surplus of 30wt in the CI-4....


My vintage truck club recommends Castrol Tection 15w40, which may still be found at some Kmart & WalMart stores with the old rating, although that supply around here is thinning out.


GL

 

[Johnny]

The new CJ oils have plenty of zinc and phos to protect your flat tappet engine. If you liked the CI-4 Rotella T, you will like the new Rotella T.

 

[Mudcat]

Hi Ariff,

The oil you left on the shelf, the Shell CJ-4 may have been your best bet. Shell has published technical information on its web site explaining how the new CJ-4 formulation is superior. If you use the search function, you'll find the oil was very highly regarded on this board by a tribologist (he no longer partipates here now).

Here's a link to an API CJ-4 info page that discusses the changes to the rating. I believe your application is for a gasser, so any oil you choose needs to be dual rated: SJ, SL & SM in addition to the CI-4, CI4+, CJ-4.

Amsoil has a technical service bulletin regarding flat tappet applications. I'd be happy to send it you if you PM me. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I don't believe that Amsoil submits their products to receive API certification, except the XL line. I mention that because the API rating seems to be an important part of your search. Amsoil makes excellent products and I use some myself.

 

[Pablo]

Heres's the Amsoil TSB:

http://www.amsoil.com/dealer/techservicesbulletin/TSB_Flat_Tappet.pdf

 

[Ariff]

I guess I should also specify that I'd like to be able to get the oil here locally. Which I have not been able to find any Amsoil around here. I guess there is one dealer in my area but I have not been sucessful in contacting him. I'd also like to stay with the regular oil and not switch to Synthetic. Unless you can ghange my mind on that one.

 

[63Avanti]

check out http://systems-engineering-associates.com/avocation.

even provides ratings of all relevant oils, including Amsoil

 

[RWEST]

Some more interesting reading http://www.turbodieselregister.com/TDR57_Oil.pdf

Personally, I would use a 10 or 15-40 (or RTS 5-40 which is an official cult icon now!!) SL/CI-4+ rated oil in my 390. Not crazy about SM. Just too many reported cam/valvetrain incidents to be unconcerned. My $.02. FWIW. YMMV.

 

[Chris71]

Brad Penn partial-synthetic Penn Grade 1 "The Green Oil" racing oil. We use it in our 440 and many engine builders swear by it.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
Ariff - As I recall these motors survived very well on a 10w30 viscosity lubricant of the era when they were new

As others have advised a modern 15w40 viscosity HDEO lubricant will do the job very well

There is no need for a more expensive "exotic" lubricant

 

[Steelhead]

go down to your local boating/marine store
buy the 15w40 marine oil, Penzoil is a good one. low ash and SJ rated
http://www.pzlqs.com/Tech/Pdsheet/DomesticMarketing/EngineOils/pdf/PennzoilMarineMotorOil.PDF

or hit your local full service truck stop or farm tractor store. many still carry CI 15w40

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: Ariff
hey guys,
I ended up picking out 5 qts of Castrol GTX diesel CI-4 rated oil. However on the Castrol GTX diesel I bought it said it met all CI-4 and SL specs. So my question is did I get the rights stuff?

Yes, you got the right stuff.

Castrol GTX Diesel claims 1300+ ppm zinc levels and it's one of the few remaining 15w40 HDEO oils still available in CI-4 grade. You may want to stock up if it goes on sale.

Another option is Rotella heavy-duty straight 30 wt. oil for the warmer months; i.e. ambient temps above 40 degrees F.