VR1 10w30 vs Mobil 0w40 for flat tappets in a y-block

[cpm-m4]

Hi. I got this 312 ford y block motor a few years ago, I can't remember much of what the guy said to me beside it was recently rebuilt, mostly stock and ran in his truck for awhile before he replaced it with a coyote motor. I finally got around to getting my truck on the road after 30+ years of sitting. The guy I bought the engine from also gave me a bottle of zinc additive. But I've read that might not always be the best choice since you are pretty much messing with the manufacturers formulation.

I am trying to find a cost affective oil choice for it I can find locally. I've read Valvoline VR1 10w30 would be a good choice because of the amount of zinc. I can find it locally for about $26. I've also read Mobil 0w40 would be a good choice. And it's only about $25 locally. I thought about using rotella but a few people said there's other additives that aren't really meant for gas engines. Seems like the 0w40 might be a better choice since it's synthetic. I know you can get VR1 in synthetic, but it's not easily available or cheap. But after researching hours on oil I still feel I'm quite over my head. I do not plan on extended oil changes. Maybe every 3k-5k miles.

I've already decided on fram tough guard oil filters. I'm open to other oil suggestions. I just don't want to have to special order it or spend too much.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Castrol Hot Rod oil.
If your engine is running stock valve spring pressures, any decent 10w30 will work. There are millions of small block Chevys running around on modern oil.

Here's a great conversation.

 

[bpracer]

The VR1 would be a great choice for the old Ford. As would 15-40 Rotella.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Castrol Hot Rod oil.
If your engine is running stock valve spring pressures, any decent 10w30 will work. There are millions of small block Chevys running around on modern oil.

Here's a great conversation.

This.

Don't overthink it. If this were my engine, I would probably run Quaker State All-Mileage 5W-30 in it, because it's cheap. You don't need anything exotic for this.

 

[GMBoy]

I have a 312 Y block in my 32 Ford....from a 57 Thunderbird and I run VR1 in it.

 

[PontiacHO]

Everyone has their opinion… Listen to GMBoy above. He’s right.

 

[PontiacHO]

I have a 312 Y block in my 32 Ford....from a 57 Thunderbird and I run VR1 in it.

View attachment 238601

Please post a video of that Y-block idling. I love that distinct idle.

 

[JavierH19]

If it was mine I'd use Delvac extreme 15w-40 which is has the most zddp and phos I've seen in an off the shelf oil.

 

[cpm-m4]

Please post a video of that Y-block idling. I love that distinct idle.

Yea they have a great sound. I ran it before I got the 31" glasspacks installed and it sounded great. It's pretty quiet with the glasspacks now. I'm still running the oil that came in the engine. I'll probably replace it today.

 

[PontiacHO]

If it was mine I'd use Delvac extreme 15w-40 which is has the most zddp and phos I've seen in an off the shelf oil.

I’m curious…how much ZDDP and phos does this oil have?

 

[cpm-m4]

If it was mine I'd use Delvac extreme 15w-40 which is has the most zddp and phos I've seen in an off the shelf oil.

This is available at walmart for $20. I feel like it's heavier weight than I need though.

 

[jetman]

Any HD diesel oil or Valvoline VR1 will work

 

[cpm-m4]

Would there be a reason to choose VR1 over Mobil European 0w40?

 

[Jetronic]

Would there be a reason to choose VR1 over Mobil European 0w40?

You feel a 40 would be too heavy.

 

[burbguy82]

For your engine, I would see no advantage either way. M1 at Walmart is very goodly priced. Many here use it in high performance applications, but, their cars call for it or at least the spec it satisfied.

For the known wear protection of VR1, that is what I would use.

 

[JavierH19]

I’m curious…how much ZDDP and phos does this oil have?

1300 zddp 1200phos. Cummins owners swear by it since the consensus is that it does deliver the lowest wear rates in uoas.

 

[cpm-m4]

You feel a 40 would be too heavy.

I said I feel 15w40 would be too heavy. Especially for cold startups. Yet, I have no idea what is the right weight, some people have said use 20w50, some have said 5w30 in my research. I think the ford said to use standard 30 weight in 1964. I'm sure modern oils are better. I'm just not sure which to go with. Or which brand since manufacturer formulations seem to matter. Especially for flat tappet cams according to some. That's why I'm asking the pros. I want to keep this truck in the family and keep it on the road as long as I can.

 

[cpm-m4]

For your engine, I would see no advantage either way. M1 at Walmart is very goodly priced. Many here use it in high performance applications, but, their cars call for it or at least the spec it satisfied.

For the known wear protection of VR1, that is what I would use.

Would you say M1 has less wear protection or just that it's unknown?

 

[JavierH19]

This is available at walmart for $20. I feel like it's heavier weight than I need though.

Are you going to be daily driving the truck and sub zero temperatures? If not then use it with no fear. I'm running 15W-40 in both my old trucks instead of 5W-30 and 5W-40 in my 2021 which is still under warranties instead of 0w-20

 

[wpod]

What was the additive packages in the GP1 base oils back in the day?