RE: IML: OIL & Sunoco 94 in PA

["Rob McCall" <Rob_Mopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Brian,

Sunoco 94 isn't as readily available in PA as it was this time last year.
It looks like they are phasing it out slowly this year.  I stopped at Sunoco
out side of West Chester last Sunday to fill my Barracuda, and they had 93,
91, 89, & 87.  Previously it was 94, 93, 89, 87.  I went for the 93.  This
morning I stopped for gas in my Intrepid at a Sunoco in Great Valley and
they still had 94.  This was a station with a two bay garage, the other a
mini-mart.  Don't know if that makes a difference in what fuel grades they
carry or not.  I suspect they will loose the 94 later.  I don't know, maybe
it's too costly to make 94 octane with e10, but e85 has a higher octane
rating.

As for wiping cam lobes out, yes I have done it in that Barracuda.  However
I suspect it was from floating the valves while drag racing, and possibly
having a defective lifter.  I replaced the cam & lifters last winter.  Comp
Cams recommend using the Shell Rotella to break in the new cam.  Turns out I
have other issues in the motor (I knew I should have pulled it last winter),
so it's coming apart this winter.  After the motor is broken in with the
diesel oil I'll probably go back to Mobil 1.

The zinc additives are what has been disappearing from the oils because it
can damage catalytic converters.  Not an issue on your Crown, but it is for
the millions of later model vehicles.  Hot Rod Magazine did an article
either earlier this year or sometime last year on the oil and wiping cams
issue.  Their research looked into several theories (less additives, poorly
made cams and/or lifters, improper cam break-in, etc.) and their research
was inconclusive.  They did note that the zinc content in the diesel oils
will be getting reduced over the next couple years, but that race oils are
higher in zinc (and other happy flat lobe additives) than the diesel oil.
They mentioned Quaker State race oil in the article, but I haven't found any
info on it.

Rob McCall
'67 LeBaron - need to address a few things before I worry about the cam
lobes.






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