Need expert advice on oil for 1975 Dino Ferrari

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

robertgarven

Joined
May 25, 2005
Messages
20
Location
California
Dear Friends,

I am in the process of putting my 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 back together after a year long service. I noticed one of the lobes on my camshaft was deteriorating. I ma glad I caught this in time it was only one lobe on one shaft. I have sent it out for repair. I believe it was due to the lack of zinc. I will be adding ZDDP+ but I am not sure what oil to use. I am a poor guy but cost is no object as I cannot accept the camshaft wear.

I have friends using diesel oil. motorcycle oil etc. I was going to try to stay away from synthetics if possible as many have said it has increased leaks. However I am not sue this is true and have been using Red Line 75/90 NS synthetic gear box oil for years with no leaks.

BTW I used Castrol GTX 20/50 for the last 15 years and 20K miles. I changed it every 6 months with a new Baldwin filter. Drove the car every week or two let it completely warm up, never tracked, but always exercised! Has 50 K on the odometer and I only drive in clear weather about 70 degrees.

I know this has been discussed on many threads but after reading them all I still cannot get a consistent answer. Valvoline racing? Redline?? Brad Pen?? Joe Gibbs [censored]!!!

All I know is that this camshaft wear is unacceptable!!! Wish I could attach a picture there is one at

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305715


So I am getting down to the finals.

I have been told that the castrol is garbage by several people but for 15 years many mechanics and other ferrari owners suggested its use it, which i did. I wish I had known it was garbage sooner or someone suggested something better....

if anyone has used these i would like to hear about your experience and weight ran. All I want is an oil that lubricates , protects my early cam design.

Where can I find how much ZDDP is in these oils???

Brad Penn #1

http://www.bradpennracing.com/Racing-Oil-Line.aspx

Joe Gibbs

http://www.joegibbsdriven.com/produc...rod/index.html

Red Line

http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=21

Thanks for all you suggestions. I have been a member for a long time but dont have much time to hang out when my car is in pieces!!!
 
Hi,
robertgarven - Was the cam a lobe wear issue or a lobe corrosion issue?

Vehicles that have little use can suffer from cam corrosion - a photo would be of some help. Corrosion is not a "lack of ZDDP" matter
 
Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Hi,
robertgarven - Was the cam a lobe wear issue or a lobe corrosion issue?

Vehicles that have little use can suffer from cam corrosion - a photo would be of some help. Corrosion is not a "lack of ZDDP" matter


Good point, that's a good reason to change your oil right before storage.
 
it was 80 degrees here saturday. Winter is warmer than summer. I never have stored the car except during this service and the cam was off lobe for 6 months till i removed it 6 months ago. I found an old post I made asking the same question 5 years ago. I am intrigued by this Brad Penn Stuff, is it any good and why is it half synthetic now???

Rob
 
Is this the 6 cyl with DOHC? Does it uses bucket and shim lash adjusters? If so then the ZDDP issue doesn't really come into play,cam lobe wear issues were mostly on flat tappet cams and a few oddball OHC with high load rocker arm/adjusters where each lobe actuated 2 valves.

I have seen cam lobe deterioration on a few high revving Euro OHC engines that were subjected to being even slightly revved when cold and short trips when heavier oil was being used.
Switching to a lighter oil and letting the engine warm took car of the issue.

I'm thinking Mobil 1 0w-40 would be good in this engine.
We ran it in a Masserati powered V6 Citroen SM of this vintage without any leaks or cam problems.
 
I am not an expert by any means, but here's my advice. This sounds like an excellent place to use any of the inexpensive & excellent mineral-based HDEOs, such as Delvac 1300, Chevron Delo or Rotella T; all of which are 15w40.

Plenty of detergents, plenty of EP/AW additives, inexpensive & easy to find.
 
If only one lobe is bad, the oil was likely not the problem. The picture show what looks to be either a defective lobe, or debris that passed through.

Ed
 
Hi,
Ed - I think the same as you but I am awaiting more Pics PM'd to me from the OP

Trav's comments about valve actuation applies (similar to Alfas of that era)

Pablo's comments "I won't rag on the NEW Castrol 20W-50 (the old stuff was NO GOOD)." are totally erroneous and unhelpful!

It does NOT appear to be a lubricant problem and the level of varnish is normal and acceptable IMO
 
Rob,

While I don't think your use of Castrol 20W-50 over the years was necessarily a bad thing, there are more appropriate oils out there for your V8 Dino. Scurvy makes a good recommendation that you use a 15W-40 HDEO. I would add that you should also consider a synthetic HDEO like Shell Rotella T6 5W-40. All these HDEOs have plenty of ZDDP and you'd not have to bother with additives.

I have a 328 GTS and use Shell T6. Also have an old Alfa 1750 which weeps liberally, and it gets Chevron Delo 15W-40.
 
Hi,
marco246 - Yes I agree about HD lubricants in these engines. I used them in a variety of FIAT, Alfa, Ferrari and Lancia engines over many years with great success

A friend here uses HDEOs (Castrol RX Super 15W-40) in his Ferraris, Lambo and Maserati - and has been doing so for many years with excellent results. The local Alfa people do too!!

I still miss my 1750GTV and Guilia TI Super!!
 
If that Ferrari is the one I'm thinking of...

Best sounding V6 I have ever heard in my life! All other V6's sound like vacuum cleaners compared to this one.

Pics of the car please...

Nice Big Center-fold style please!
cool.gif
 
Robert,
Do a search in the Virgin Oil Analysis for Brad Penn Penn Grade 1 40 wt. I run this oil in my street/strip Dodge 440 and have been very pleased with it. This oil has loads of zinc and phosphorous to protect flat tappet cams. I have always run high-lift, long duration, heavy valve spring pressure cams in my 440 and have never had a cam wear issue with Brad Penn Penn Grade 1 oils. I assume your Ferrari doesn't have catalytic converters which is good for an oil such as this.
 
I would not use a synthetic. Ferrari calls it a Dino because they think you should use dino oil.

Seriously though. I suspect that you don't drive very much. Probably lots of short trips. I would use a lighter oil than 20w50. Cold startup wear is going to kill you. Try an HDEO diesel oil.
 
Originally Posted By: C4Dave
I would not use a synthetic. Ferrari calls it a Dino because they think you should use dino oil.

Seriously though. I suspect that you don't drive very much. Probably lots of short trips. I would use a lighter oil than 20w50. Cold startup wear is going to kill you. Try an HDEO diesel oil.
cold start wear isn't exactly from the oil.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
Confusion over oil choice for camshaft and then piston ring break-in
Replies
11
Views
2K
Chris142
D
Oil experts, please share your knowledge.
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
kschachn
T
Best oil for Tuned BMW M8 (S63TU4)
2
Replies
21
Views
676
edyvw
Synth vibes
My experience with valvoline R&P and oil consumption
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
altaylar
K
new used Bronco 2.7, looking for some advice.
2 3
Replies
40
Views
3K
kcarsey
Back
Top Bottom