Zinc...again

[opus]

Seems there is no shortage of zinc topics here but gee.....

I have a flat tappet cam 350 Chevy. The builders told me to run 15w40 Chevron [sorry, Delvac 1300] for the zinc. I do that in the summer. -15 this morning and the stuff is of course, like syrup. Plugged it in for a few hours but it still was too thick.

I need something that I can get at NAPA thats more appropriate for winter use. I dont want synthetic, I dont want Purple oil or Redline or anything else extravagant. I want plain ole conventional oil.

Suggestions? Or should I just roll with it?

 

[fdcg27]

Delo/Rotella/Delvac 10w30?

 

[addyguy]

You are unlikely to find a high-zinc oil thinner than a 10w30 that is not synthetic.

Rotella 5W-40, or any HDEO 5W-40 is not an 'exotic' oil - they will be easy to find, and give you the easy start-up you need.

 

[redbone3]

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/LCA10683/LCA10683 Check your local NAPA for this Lucas Oil specifically made for cars with flat tappets.

 

[Alex_V]

How hot is the 350? If stock or close to it, a plain jane conventional 10w30 with a Zinc additive (ZDDPlus is what I've used) may be fine. If on the hotter side, you might be better off with something like Valvoline racing oil.

 

[CT8]

What is wrong with a syn oil.

 

[DoubleWasp]

Originally Posted By: opus
Seems there is no shortage of zinc topics here but gee.....

I have a flat tappet cam 350 Chevy. The builders told me to run 15w40 Chevron [sorry, Delvac 1300] for the zinc. I do that in the summer. -15 this morning and the stuff is of course, like syrup. Plugged it in for a few hours but it still was too thick.

I need something that I can get at NAPA thats more appropriate for winter use. I dont want synthetic, I dont want Purple oil or Redline or anything else extravagant. I want plain ole conventional oil.

Suggestions? Or should I just roll with it?


Close enough to Canada to get those 0w30 HDEO's?

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: addyguy


Rotella 5W-40 ... easy to find, and give you the easy start-up you need.


I was going to say Rotella also. Great oil, high zinc.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: addyguy

Rotella 5W-40 ... easy to find, and give you the easy start-up you need.

I was going to say Rotella also. Great oil, high zinc.

Except he specifically said "no synthetic."

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Delo/Rotella/Delvac 10w30?

Exactly right.

 

[opus]

Quote:
How hot is the 350?


Stock. Zinc additive might be possible

Quote:
Check your local NAPA for this Lucas Oil


Not a chance

Quote:
What is wrong with a syn oil.


Not a thing


Quote:
Close enough to Canada to get those 0w30 HDEO's?


100 miles

Quote:
Regular/conventional Rotella 10w30 is a fine choice though.



Got it!

 

[spasm3]

I know you said no syn, but thats what would be appropriate for -15 degrees and has zinc! 5w40 delo or rotella would be good choices.



P.S.

Valvoline makes a 4 stroke 10w 40 motorcycle oil that's conventional. Most MC oils have high zinc, like 1300-1700ppm It will be around $6 a quart.

 

[Ramblejam]

Per SAE J300, 10w is tested at -25°C (cranking), and -30°C (pumping). That's -13°F, and -22°F

Limits are:
7000 mPa.s @ -25°C (cranking)
60000 mPa.s @ -30°C (pumping)

Take Delo 400 10w30, for example:
6400 mPa.s @ -25°C (cranking)
27500 mPa.s @ -30°C (pumping)

In other words, it easily outperforms the standard, and will work just fine in temps we're discussing. As long as he keeps his battery nicely charged, I see no issue.

Opus - If you don't already have one, pick up a good automatic (with temperature compensation) charger and leave your vehicle hooked up.

 

[opus]

The sheet on what I am using in the Delvac15w40 compared to the 10w30. Problem in, I dont know much what I am reading.

 

[Ramblejam]

If we're discussing cold temperature performance, you're looking at CCS & MRV (on the bottom of the page).

Roughly, it's telling you that the 15w40 and 10w30 are equal, albeit at different temperatures.

15w-40: -4°F/-13°F
10w-30: -13°F/-22°F

Spelled out...the cranking viscosity of 15w40 at -4°F, and the cranking viscosity of 10w30 at -13°F are the same.

Again though, I'll stress that having a fully-charged battery is the important part here.

 

[opus]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
If we're discussing cold temperature performance, you're looking at CCS & MRV (on the bottom of the page).

Roughly, it's telling you that the 15w40 and 10w30 are equal, albeit at different temperatures.

15w-40: -4°F/-13°F
10w-30: -13°F/-22°F

Spelled out...the cranking viscosity of 15w40 at -4°F, and the cranking viscosity of 10w30 at -13°F are the same.

Again though, I'll stress that having a fully-charged battery is the important part here.


Cranking isnt an issue. I've lived north of the 45th parallel all my life. Seeing this engine only has 2500 miles on it I figure I would be a little more fussy.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: opus
Cranking isnt an issue.

You said: "Plugged it in for a few hours but it still was too thick."

How are we to interpret this, then?

 

[opus]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: opus
Cranking isnt an issue.

You said: "Plugged it in for a few hours but it still was too thick."

How are we to interpret this, then?


Read my mind....not what I type. [clerical error]

 

[Ramblejam]

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: addyguy

Rotella 5W-40 ... easy to find, and give you the easy start-up you need.

I was going to say Rotella also. Great oil, high zinc.

Except he specifically said "no synthetic."

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Delo/Rotella/Delvac 10w30?

Exactly right.


I know OP said no synthetic... He also said he wants zinc, which T6 is well known to have, and also asked for suggestions, I gave one.

Besides, he lives above 45°N. A conventional 10w30 would be foolish to use in winter, unless the vehicle is kept in a heated garage or a pan heater is always used.

He already was unable to start it with 15w in the sump, why encourage future non start events?


All that said, if dino is required then a 5w30 would be a better choice over 10w30.


Originally Posted By: Ramblejam

Amen brother.

 

[GRWOil]

Pour T6 5w40 in the sump and call it good. If the price is your concern, it's on rebate. 5$ per gallon.