[DeTomaso] Busted Big, but Reno anyway? - Oil & ZDDP

[asajay at asajay.com]

I'd like to chime in here as well concerning premature failure.  The  
last 351C I had in the Mach I is presenting in my garage waiting for  
the forensic analysis.  This engine ran great for many years.   
However, being ignorant of engine oil technology, I simply purchased  
the -latest- and most -current- API specification, mistakenly  
believing it -had- to be better formulated and thus even better for my  
engine.  I seriously believe this is what led to the eventual engine  
failure, simple lack of proper protection.

I found the whole ZDDP conversation interesting and engaging.  So much  
so that I went out and did my own research and ended up switching back  
to Amsoil (my personal favorite, you may like something different).

A funny thing about our 1995 Saturn SL2 (may it rest in pieces).  We  
continued to have the oil changed by the dealer way past warranty.   
When the transmission started going out, we found the trade-in value  
for the car was $300, and the trans was more like $600.  We stopped  
taking it to the dealer for the oil changes and I started changing the  
oil myself (I figured we run the course with the dealer perks and it  
would cost us less).  The engine didn't last past -one- oil change  
before a rod started knocking.  I don't know what the dealer used, but  
I'm pretty convinced it was that last oil change -I- did with  
off-the-shelf synthetic from Napa (nothing against Napa).

In short, I'm a convert, and I think we need to keep aware of all ways  
in which we can get good high ZDDP oils.

Asa Jay

Quoting Garth Rodericks <garth_rodericks at yahoo.com>:

> Well, I never worried much about my motor oil before I spun a rod bearing 2
>   years ago.
> I think that was before we knew much about ZDDP missing from
>   our oil.  I have always
> preferred single weight oils (such as
>   30wt) for their better quality base product molecules.
>
> Anyway, upon disassembling my engine and inspecting my cam and lifters, I can
>   tell you
> that you NEED an oil with sufficient ZDDP to protect your flat   
> tappet cam and lifters. Even
> if this is a 50,000 mile engine.  ZDDP is not just for initial   
> break-in!  My cam lobes were all
> badly scored and my lifters worn concave (they're supposed to be   
> convex to promote rotation).
>
> Here is a brief summary list of suitable oils to use based on ZDDP content:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Valvoline VR1 30wt
>   The
>   Valvoline site states the VR-1 has ZDDP added (1400/1300ppm   
> zinc/phosphorus),
> BUT ONLY IF MADE IN US OR CANADA.
>
> Might be worth checking the bottle before you buy.
> http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/VR-1_Racing_Motor_Oil.pdf
>
>    
>   Central Petroleum Race oil
>   http://www.cenpecosales.com/super_racing_oil.html
>    
>   Mobil 1 (15w50 is the only one with sufficient ZDDP)
>   Here’s
>   a chart of their product line. The last line labeled “Phosphorus   
> content” is
>   the ZDDP level:
>     
> http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf
>    
>   Collectors Choice
>   http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=65932
>    
>   Lots
>   of good info about it here, including why racing oil and diesel oil may not
>   be optimal for your gasoline engine:
>   http://www.mossmotors.com/graphics/products/pdf/220-810_220-815_INST.pdf
>    
>   Brad Penn Racing Oil
>   http://www.bradpennracing.com/
>    
>   Shell Rotella T Synthetic
>
>
>
>
> Diesel motor oils such as Shell Rotella and Chevron Delos
> 400 had proper ratings for ZDDP
> content until just recently.Oil formulations for diesel applications  
>  are changing due to
> increasing emissions regulations. Furthermore,
>
>
>
>
>
> There is a virgin oil analysis for Shell Rotella T Synthetic
> CJ4/SM on bobistheoilguy.com
> from 8/08 which shows 1300ppm of Zinc, which is plenty. So it   
> appears that this oil is still
> ok for our cars.
>
>
> http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1234980#Post1234980
>
>  However, I would not run diesel oil in my engine. Oil formulated   
> for diesel applications
> tends to have a much higher detergent content to deal with the   
> combustion byproducts,
> which results in a much lower surface tension and lower shear   
> pressure rating. And, diesel
> oil is typically a higher viscosity for the larger bearing   
> clearances in a diesel engine than
> you have in a high performance gasoline engine.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ZDDPlus Additive:
>
>
> http://www.zddplus.com/
>
>  
>
> Robert Kirk, who's on this list, is a distributor for the ZDDPlus   
> additive. Contact him directlyoff-list for special   
> pricing.http://www.kirks-auto.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
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