Castrol GTX 20w50 vs. Halvoline 20w50

[Chris B.]

Which is the better conventional oil for a Harley? Trying to decide which to use if I stay with dino but I may go synthetic...just not sure yet.
I use Castrol GTX 5w30 in my Chevy 350 and I have it analyzed with outstanding results so I'm leaning to Castrol but we are talking motorcycles here so maybe the Halvoline is the way to go???
What do you guys think?

 

[Norm Olt]

I can't believe there is a dime's difference between Castrol GTX, Chevron Supreme or Havoline 20W-50 oil in the application you suggest.

If it were a wet clutch application something "MIGHT" be said for going to an oil with a JASO MA rating, like Castrol's EVO, Valvoline's MC 20W-50, etc.

Not for a Harley, though.

IMHO.

Cheers!

 

[fuel tanker man]

Here is my data from running Havoline 20W50 for two OCI's in my 1994 Evolution engine (Dyna Low Rider).

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=52;t=000043#000000

I have also just drained some VR1 Valvoline, two quarts of 20W50 and one quart of straight 60 weight (mixture), after 2700 miles. I'll be sending that off to Blackstone either tomorrow or Friday. Maybe by the end of next week we can see how the VR1 heavy mix compares to the Havoline 20W50.

I do think the Castrol will work, but as you can see it will be hard for it to beat the Havoline. In fact, my Havoline UOA's are better than any other Harly UOA's on the board--including synthetics. Wear metal mitigation is the main thing to look at. Don't get distracted by all that "staying in grade" stuff that some guys seem obsessed with. When an oil is doing it's job, the wear metals will be low, and vice versa.

Dan

 

[wileyE]

Dan, have you got "bad" uoa's on other oils to compare with? I only mention it because it's possible that you have a "good" motor put together well and broken in right.

I've seen it with new 600's, some fast some dogs, same oil and all broke in on the same track. Parts out of spec or not well mated throw off more wear metals. Blueprint the slug bikes (or sell them) and they're golden.

 

[fuel tanker man]

wiley, you may be right. As mentioned, I'll be sending off some VR1 Valvoline Racing oil (two parts 20W50, one part 60 weight) and we'll see how that looks.

I had to work late today, so I didn't get the sample sent off. But if I get it in the mail tomorrow, I may get the results by next Friday, September 1st.

Dan

 

[Chris B.]

quote:

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Originally posted by fuel tanker man:
wiley, you may be right. As mentioned, I'll be sending off some VR1 Valvoline Racing oil (two parts 20W50, one part 60 weight) and we'll see how that looks.

I had to work late today, so I didn't get the sample sent off. But if I get it in the mail tomorrow, I may get the results by next Friday, September 1st.

Dan

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Looking forward to it!

 

[opiate9680]

I'm looking forward to it to man, I've been thinking about switching from syn3 to halvoline 20w50 more and more. There's another guy on a sportster forum who got a UOA test back from blackstone, check it out:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=36449

If its as good as everybody keeps saying it is, Halvoline 20w50 may turn out to be the holy grail of harleys!!

 

[fuel tanker man]

The VR1 sample went out last Friday... I'll let you guys know how it looks. If it's worse than the Havoline 20W50 UOA's I've done, I think it'll be safe to conclude that the engine itself isn't an above average example; it'll be the Havoline.

But we'll have to get Blackstone's report back first. I'll post it when it comes in.

Dan

 

[fuel tanker man]

Here a link to the VR1 report. I got it back from Blackstone today. Fast, great service from Blackstone!

And wiley is probably right about my engine, by the way.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=52&t=000101