Ever grab a chrome breather to take it off after driving your hot rod for an hour? Next time you'll grab a rag first.
I'd be more concerned with why you are running 20w50 oil. Unless your motor is about worn out, or you live in Death Valley, you are actually creating more heat with that heavy of oil. Both through increased friction (heavier oils have a higher coefficient of friction) and heavier loads on the oil pump. Ford recommended 10w30 in most 289/302's until the roller cams came in and then lowered it to 5w30. If it has high compression and a big cam, you MIGHT want to consider 10w40, but for a Hot Rod like yours, anything heavier than that really isn't doing you any favors. Just something to ponder ....
Wow, I had to see for myself. Last week we had an 80 degree afternoon, so I took the Olds engine for a buzz. When I shut down, I parked in the shade. The temp gauge was at 195, which is where it runs on hot days I have Offy valve covers, fairly thick. 2 1/2 hours later they were still hot enough that you couldn't keep your hand on them. Don't run heavy oil, doesn't reduce friction. 20w50 is for air cooled motorcycles.
I think next oil change I'll go with a high zinc 10W40. Does anyone know if the Lucas Oil Hot Rod & Classic is good?
never heard of chrome moly rings. I've heard of chrome rings, and moly rings, but they're two quite different things. I've also heard of chrome moly steel, which is yet another quite different thing.
>>>Does anyone know if the Lucas Oil Hot Rod & Classic is good? >>> Not for fixing hot valve cover worries. Only your PCP can prescribe meds for reducing hot valve cover anxieties.
You hear anything about Lucas Oil Hot Rod & Classic? Might use that next time in 10W40 or 10W30. Not sure if it's any good though. Just want something with added zinc but lighter weight as you suggested.
Just had my engine apart. over 100,000 km's and there's still a nice cross hatch in the cylinders. I run a 160 thermostat and 20-50. That shouldn't work, though, right?
We used to have really technical discussions on the HAMB. Now it's why is my engine hot to the touch after 4 hours. Jesus, an engine is at best 30% efficient, the rest of the fuel burned converts to heat. Cast iron holds heat, that is why chefs love cast iron pans. Squirrel gave an accurate assessment of the situation on page 1 and we now have 3 pages on this subject. WTF? Next subject.
>>>Next subject>>> Do you think the folks trying to sell LucasElectrics felt they could do a better job at peddling LucasOils?
Some of the wasted energy is lost to sound, so does that mean that a quieter car will also be quicker....???
Wow, this thread is featured now. Don't think anyone has mentioned this.....but you might try using a different valve cover to solve the heat issue. These SBF covers tend to be cool: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cool-small-block-ford-valve-covers.47140/
As requested by several of you I conducted a little experiment using a laser thermometer on various parts of the engine to track the temperature as it dropped over a period of five hours. If anyone is interested I will post the results. Thank you especially to (damn near) everyone for your responses, suggestions, and help. The condescending types can bite it. Admittedly there were only a couple of those which is par for the course on the internet. It's a forum partially designed to seek help and that's what I did. Thank you again everyone!
Good deal, post the results. I’m leaving for work in a bit, OT Chevy PU with a “gasp” engine. I’ve a 45 minute commute, although I can’t check hourly, I can snag a laser thermometer and check sometimes 4/5 hours after I get there. Will post that for you to compare to. Edit: Got busy and it slipped my mind.
You mentioned it on two different posts in the same day. My personal experience has not showed that to be true, but I'm willing to be proved wrong. Do you have a link to this published data you speak of that you can share?
it was all in the timing! As said, it was published in one of Summit's monthly catalogs years ago. It sowed wear at various thermostat setting. No idea how this was determined, same as the "NASCAR research shows black engine paint sheds more internal heat than any other" info.
The Jalopy Journal
