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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362
 
Location: North Carolina | I am sure this has never been asked  but what is the best oil to use for our cars, without spending a fortune? I have a 1956 315 Poly. A friend who owns a few classics, including FL cars, says he uses Rotella 15-40 for diesels and his engines always sound/look great. Thanks |
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Expert
Posts: 2264
Location: McComb, Mississippi | I use accel brand engine oil.. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 390
| What matters most to a flat tappet engine (i.e. FL cars) is the API classification of the oil.
Flat tappet engines require a certain amount of manganese and phosphate in them to allow the tappets and cam lobes to co-exist without self destructing.
Oil for modern cars with roller tappet camshafts are SM or possibly SN/SO and have far too little m&p in them for flat tappet engines.
API classifications of SG, SF or lower have enough of these additives and I believe many of the Rotella blends of oils have these ratings. Ratings for diesel engine oils begin with the letter "C". As long as the "S" rating system is shown on the oil you're considering and it's SG, SF or lower, it will provide the protection the engine needs.
Oddly enough, at least in Canada, the GM dealers sell a product called simply "Engine Oil Additive". Ordinarily I suggest people stay away from additives, but this material has very high concentrations of both m&p. About 1/4 to 1/3 of a bottle of this stuff will allow you to run even SM level oil in your car if you're unable to find the SF/SG stuff.
Whether you use a single grade or multi-grade oil is a matter of where you live, the ambient temperature extremes you'll operate your car in and how you use your car. But that's a whole different discussion. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Diesel oil (used to have..) a lot of ZDDP, but, I suppose you have to check each brand's API classifications.
Oil is not very expensive, and good oil is good oil and good protection.
I use Valvoline 20/50 racing, which has plenty of ZDDP in it.
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Expert
Posts: 3035
Location: N.W. Fla. | Use pre SM oil, Wal-Mart has Accell Brand 10W-40 that is SF, I've seen Accel 10W-40 in other stores that was SM or SN, not good. CI diesel oil has the ZDDP you need, CJ doesn't, I've seen jugs marked SM/CJ. GM EOS used to have lots of ZDDP, but it was reformulated some yrs ago with less zinc. If it says SM or SN it isn't good. you have to look for it. Even Royal Purple has SM & the earlier SF(?) on the self, depending on application I guess. |
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | The oil manufacturers change the amount of ZDDP whenever they please. And they DON'T have to tell you. I'm buying Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40 for diesels. Cummins specifies it. And I'll add a bottle of ZDDP to it at oil change time. There will undoubtedly be plenty of zinc in there and my camshaft will thank me. |
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | b5rt - 2013-01-07 4:14 PM
And they DON'T have to tell you.
Maybe. But their stuff still has to be able to pass the API or otherwise they don't get a rating.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 594
Location: Melbourne, Australia | I've just purchased a bulk (18 litre) tub of Kendall purely because it had a high (1700ppm ZDDP content) I've yet to use it.... Modern oils in Australia have only 1300 aprox parts per million of ZDDP which is fine for modern roller cams but not for flat tappet cams !
My understanding of Diesel oils is a high ZDDP content but with double strength detergents it can loosen old sludge from high mileage motors and clog the galleries. I'd use it as a top up but not for a full fill..... in my fresh motors, i'd happily use it... Colin
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Expert
Posts: 3035
Location: N.W. Fla. | 57plybel - 2013-01-08 7:05 AM
I've just purchased a bulk (18 litre) tub of Kendall purely because it had a high (1700ppm ZDDP content) I've yet to use it.... Modern oils in Australia have only 1300 aprox parts per million of ZDDP which is fine for modern roller cams but not for flat tappet cams !
My understanding of Diesel oils is a high ZDDP content but with double strength detergents it can loosen old sludge from high mileage motors and clog the galleries. I'd use it as a top up but not for a full fill..... in my fresh motors, i'd happily use it... Colin
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Is there an API chart that lists what code (SD, SF, SJ, SL, SM, et all) coincides to ZDDP amounts? I've never seen one and would appreciate seeing it if there is one available. |
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Expert
Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | I use Castrol 20w50 and I add a ZDDP additive to it you can get the additive at Eastwood |
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Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Warren, Michigan | I came across Rislone additive with ZDDP. I've always felt I had good luck with Rislone so I'm going to give this stuff a try. Anyone else use it? |
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Best oil for engine
