ZDDP and Flat Tappet cams

[67_427]

Forgive my first post as Im super new to the oil world. I've been reading up here and there on the correct oils to use for months now on my random "hot rod" forums... Found yours and figured, what a better place to ask!?! Admit to not doing a ton of searching on your site

The topic and independant self testing gets a bit tiresome, at times.

Im running a mild 222@50 HYD flat tappet cam in my '67 427 motor.

Been running VR1 in her because of the info Ive read on Valvoline's VR1 ZDDP ole school cause to a problem + the ease of buying it at most any store.

Questions--
1-- Good/bad choice on overall oil choice?
2-- What other brands to choose from with the added ZDP protection for flat tappet cams, for the quality and over 1000ppm.. Bang for the buck considering the oil gets maybe 1000 miles and/or 6 months per oil change??
3--Considering its a fun 10qt pan on a poor man budget. Never wanting to hamper the investment, at least due to a poor oil choice.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Good choice for you. iirc, the Z was reduced recently in it. There are other options, but I'm no expert. Diesel oils are cheaper and work very well, and can be used longer. You should think about running the oil a lil longer, or at least don't tell anyone you change at 1000 mi. Brad Penn, Schaeffer's, AMSoil all offer good products too

 

[Trvlr500]

I've got a '73 Coupe DeVille and I use Mobil 1 15w50 extended performance. It has 1200 ppm of ZDDP and I add a bottle of ZDDP Plus When I change the oil. The Mobil 1 10w30 extended performance also has a higher level of ZDDP. I think it's 1000 ppm. In the old days when your engine was made they had as high as 1500 ppm in all the oils.

My engine is notorious for weak valve springs but yours isn't. Use whatever oil you want and just put the additive in it. I do what I do just as a precaution.

I'm an OTR truck driver and they are taking the ZDDP out of the diesel oils as well so they aren't any better of a choice now as far as ZDDP content is concerned.

 

[FastSUV]

VR1 if you see high RPM's...Otherwise, Rotella or Mystik

 

[67_427]

Thanks for the replys

-Is it worth adding a little ZDDP+ along with the VR1 to get closer to 1400-1500 ppm?
-Anyone know the ppm of ZDDP+ additive per oz? I dont see any info on their website.
-Has anyone actually had any aftermarket additivies tested proving they have what they say they do in them?

Again, its a fresh mild build on the 427-489 Vette motor. Its mostly 'garage art'/show car hence the low mileage per oil change- Once or twice per year, pending on how hard its been run. 50/50-- Street stop N go vs. running it out 3500-6200 rpm

Thanks in advance

 

[Dupree]

zr1 is good as also stated look in the hdeo forum, this oil is well suited for high lift flat tappet motors, it is high in the zddp, cal contents. depending on what weight you want makes a diff also.

I have two different flat tappet motors, the one that is less extreme runs mobil 1 high mileage 10w30 which has a nice dose of zddp and cal.
My other mill a little more radically cammed gets rotella......

some good heavy duty engine oils to name a few, are motorcraft hd a great oil for a great price, rotella in synthetic or conventional , delo by chevron, delvac by mobil. any of these hdeo will offer great protection with no reason to spike the punch with a zddp additive. Oh yeah and as stated mobil 1 15w-50 is plenty robust also.

 

[TallPaul]

I would think the zddp levels in VR1 are sufficient. No need to add.

 

[mechtech2]

Is the cam already broken in?
If so, the valvetrain needs are much less.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
the Z was reduced recently in it.


It wasn't. Still has 1400 ppm zinc.

I'd use nothing else in a 427 with a flat tappet cam.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/VR-1 Racing Motor Oil.pdf

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Trvlr500


I'm an OTR truck driver and they are taking the ZDDP out of the diesel oils as well so they aren't any better of a choice now as far as ZDDP content is concerned.


CJ-4 and CI-4 have the same zinc levels. They did limit sulfated ash to 1% for CJ-4.

Sp CJ-4/SM HDEOs are just as good for applications needed a lot of zinc. CJ-4 still has roughly 1400 ppm zinc. To meet the low ash requirement, I think some HEDO have less then 1400 ppm, but that is the limit for CJ-4.