What oil product is still recommended to use in the older American made engines? We are using diesel rated oils but with the new oil formulations, don't know what is best to use with the older solid lifter motors. 50's-60's engines.
Older solid lifter engines
- Thread starter studebaker2
- Start date
- Status
Seems something like Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil would work. Available in 10w30 and 20w50. Mix the two and you get 15w40 more or less. Check Valvoline site for product data and you'll see the high levels of zddp, the main thing older engines need.
Call Valvoline and ask them if it is suitable. I am guessing a racing engine would have similar needs to an 50s engine.
Call Valvoline and ask them if it is suitable. I am guessing a racing engine would have similar needs to an 50s engine.
Bump. Need some other folks to weigh in here.
I'd definitely look for an oil with a lot of ZDDP. Diesel oils may be the best choice.
What is it? An old 302 Z-28? If I had one of those, I'd be tempted to swap it over to a hydraulic roller cam.
What is it? An old 302 Z-28? If I had one of those, I'd be tempted to swap it over to a hydraulic roller cam.
If you have a stock engine you should not need anything else. If you have a modified engine with stiffer valve springs, additional ZDDP or Moly would be very beneficial. From analysis done by readers here well know that VSOT (Valvoline Synpower Oil Treatment) is high in Moly and the SLOB (Street Legal Oil Boost) is high in ZDDP. When Molikule get his boutique oil factory up and running again, his SX-UP should also provide the additive level you need.
Add a can of GM-EOS.
There is a guy running a flat tappet drag car in one of those nostalgia classes and uses Renewable Lube bio oil because he had problems with other oils. He claims a big part of the problem is the lousy Chinese parts that he's stuck with using. He said that the lifters are supposed to rotate as they are pushed up and he claims it's not happening on with every replacement part. So, oil may not be the only problem.
Been using diesel rated oils but from what I am reading here even they do not have the levels of zinc the older oils formulations had.
Mostly Studebaker engines, some Ford and Chevy stuff as well.
Mostly Studebaker engines, some Ford and Chevy stuff as well.
Well Castrol does have their 20W50 SYNTEC which they advertise as a high ZINC formula for classic cars. Even sasy that the the 50 wt SYNTEC does Not meet catalyst requirements of cars made since 1993
That may just be the hot ticket right there.
- Status
Similar threads
