Hi, I've been doing alot of reading in this forum and others about what the 'best' oil might be for 3 of my small engines. Price is not an object due to the small amounts needed. I'd rather know I'm running the most protective thing than the best deal.
The only concern I have is availability. I want to be able to drive to a store and buy it. I want to be able to have this discussion with other people, convince them with data gained here and have them drive to a store and buy it. Mail order is not an option. I recognize that it is a prevailing opinion that the premier oils in the world have to be purchased this way and while that is a perfectly valid opinion that's not a view point I'm here to discuss. If that's your opinion, then what's the "next best thing?" I'll run anything from RP to GC to PP to M1 to RTS to anything else I can buy... Even an oil plus an additive. Just convince me it's the best.
Currently I'm using Valvoline Premium Blue 15w-40 but (obviously) I'm not married to it. It has performed well for me, however. Keep in mind that I am in southeast Texas so potential ambient temperatures here range from fairly cold (+30F) to extremely hot (+110F).
Here are the candidate engines. They are all Briggs and Stratton.
*8 HP powering a 4KW generator. Aluminum block. Used extensively through 'Ike.' This is a mid to late 80's model with less than 150 total hours on it. Stored in a controlled environment - practically new. Fresh oil has been in it continually for the last 20 odd years.
*3.75 HP motor built from new old stock parts. Basically an early 90's Sprint. It's on a 1960's era thick cast aluminum 24" deck with steel ball bearing wheels. Has the potential to last forever. About 30 hours on it.
*1.5 HP 1953 Model 6S with a solid iron block which is in the process of being refurbished. It's used on an edger. I bought it in terrible condition now it starts with one pull. Fortunately, it was never used much and the interior is still practically new. Very good compression. This unit has at least a decade left on it and I've got the spare parts to keep it in repair for the foreseeable future.
Like I say, don't worry about price. Availability and pure overkill are names of the game here.
The only concern I have is availability. I want to be able to drive to a store and buy it. I want to be able to have this discussion with other people, convince them with data gained here and have them drive to a store and buy it. Mail order is not an option. I recognize that it is a prevailing opinion that the premier oils in the world have to be purchased this way and while that is a perfectly valid opinion that's not a view point I'm here to discuss. If that's your opinion, then what's the "next best thing?" I'll run anything from RP to GC to PP to M1 to RTS to anything else I can buy... Even an oil plus an additive. Just convince me it's the best.
Currently I'm using Valvoline Premium Blue 15w-40 but (obviously) I'm not married to it. It has performed well for me, however. Keep in mind that I am in southeast Texas so potential ambient temperatures here range from fairly cold (+30F) to extremely hot (+110F).
Here are the candidate engines. They are all Briggs and Stratton.
*8 HP powering a 4KW generator. Aluminum block. Used extensively through 'Ike.' This is a mid to late 80's model with less than 150 total hours on it. Stored in a controlled environment - practically new. Fresh oil has been in it continually for the last 20 odd years.
*3.75 HP motor built from new old stock parts. Basically an early 90's Sprint. It's on a 1960's era thick cast aluminum 24" deck with steel ball bearing wheels. Has the potential to last forever. About 30 hours on it.
*1.5 HP 1953 Model 6S with a solid iron block which is in the process of being refurbished. It's used on an edger. I bought it in terrible condition now it starts with one pull. Fortunately, it was never used much and the interior is still practically new. Very good compression. This unit has at least a decade left on it and I've got the spare parts to keep it in repair for the foreseeable future.
Like I say, don't worry about price. Availability and pure overkill are names of the game here.
