Just posting this as an fyi. Castrol now has a high zinc content 20W-50 which should be good stuff for flatheads and others. Here's the info from their web page. Exceptional Engine Protection for Cl***ic Cars Finally, a motor oil that's one for the cl***ics... Today's engines face different demands than those of yesteryear. Now cl***ic car owners who are particular about what they put in their vintage vehicles can receive modern wear protection from a highzinc formula specially engineered for cl***ic engines. Back in 1906 Castrol created its first automobile lubricant. Since then, our leadingedge technologies have protected generation after generation of engines. Castrol SYNTEC 20W50 motor oil is geared to protecting, preserving and helping extend the life of your vehicle from an age gone by that still lives on. Key Benefits * Contains increased zinc levels for extra engine wear prevention. Utilizes proprietary additives and base oils to reduce metalonmetal contact of aging engine parts. Engineered to increase wear protection for cl***ic cars with flat tappet camshafts. * SYNTEC 20W50 does not meet the catalyst compatibility requirements of vehicles manufactured since 1993. Castrol SYNTEC 20w-50 Motor Oil Cl***ic & Vintage Vehicles that Qualify Pre1949 1949 1961 1962 1973 ► Historic Restoration ► Historic Restoration ► Historic Restoration ► Hot Rods ► Customs ► Muscle Cars ► Street Rods ► Rat Rods ► Pony Cars ► Customs ► Pro Street ► Pro Touring Call 18004620835 for the latest product details.
Valvoline racing oil & Brad Penn oils both also offer a high zinc content, if other viscosities are required.
Yeah....it used to be named "Ben Dover", but the P.R. folks decided to downplay that aspect a bit. Good stuff, but not really for the daily driver.
Thanks 392. Maybe a few of the Co.s are really listening to us. I wonder if it's labeled for off road use only to protect themselves.
What about cam break-in. As I recall the instructions that came with my crane cam said not to use a synthetic oil during the break-in period.
I have been told, but cannot confirm (so take it with a grain of salt), that Valvolene's "Racing" oil found on shelves at chain auto part stores is nothing more than their regular oil repackaged & has no more zinc. Like I said, second-hand info (at best), so happy to be proven wrong. Brad Penn oil is the old Kendall (green slime) from the same refinery & same engineers as back before Conoco-Phillps bought the Kendall name (and put their **** oil in the bottle). If I could find a distributor here for Brad Penn oils, I'd use it exclusively.
Around here, we can get Brad- Penn oil for around $4 per quart mail order (www.SpottsPerformance.com). Not too bad since Mobil 1 on sale is typically higher than that. Tom
Ernie, here's one ****ysis for ya...http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html However, note that the ****ysis is fairly old. It does at least indicate that at one time, the VR stuff was different. I have a couple of different, newer ****ysis tables, but they don't test the VR oil specifically. Per Valvoline's website, updated in 3/07, the VR oils contain .130% zinc vs. the std. All-Climate .083%. That's still less zinc than what the VR oils had previously...but, more than most stuff out there. Oddly enough Brad Penn does not list a zinc content on their product sheets, though they do state in a couple of places that they have ZDDP in their oils. One thing that needs to be kept in mind is that formulations change from time to time, along with API standards...so, if a "newer" VR oil was compared to an "older" std. oil, they might be fairly close in zinc content. Kramer, if you are concerned about break-in, Brad Penn does make a specific oil for that..(then you can switch over to something else if you like)...or, grab some EOS from a GM dealer & use it during break-in. Apparently EOS is being discontinued, so, look now...usually about $6-8 per container.
The guy says the data is from 1991 - a lot has happened since then wrt oil formulations, EPA, etc. I think "real" racing Valvolene might be OK, but I suspect the stuff at Autozone is simply repackaged regular oil...I dunno. Just my cynicism probably... EOS is discontinued. There may still be a few bottles on the dealer's shelves, but when it's gone, it's gone. MOPAR break-in lube is the same stuff, in the same bottle, with a different label & still available though...tends to be slightly higher price than the GM stuff though. Can't recall what they call theirs...
HS91, it is about 1200 PPM ZDPP in the BP Racing Oil. We too had a tad of trouble finding it but the data sheets list it. Tom
How does this compare to other synthetics with molybdenum additives? For years, cycle synthetics have had moly it them to reduce friction, and it wasn't available for automotive use due to higher production volumes (cycle oil sells less than car oils). BMW oils were pretty damn good oils for cycles. Also, what does properties does zinc bring to the party? I've never heard of it before in a motor oil? How does it stack up against Amsoil? I've been running Amsoil for years-never a problem.
zinc (ZDDP specifically - too long to type here) is an anti-wear additive that targets sliding wear found in flat-tappet lifters & cams. Amsoil is a quality product. Apples & oranges.
I must be absolutely freakin' blind....I see the different viscosity ratings, ash content, flashpoints, but no zinc or phosphorus content. Ernie, you may be right about the chain stores...hard to find any ****ysis listing those as a rule. I mentioned that ****ysis to show that at least at one time it was different. The current 2007 Valvoline listing I mentioned farther down came from their website. I'm sure they wouldn't lie about anything....they're a big corporation!!! And big corporations are our friends. Hillbilly, zinc, or more specifically ZDDP, is an additive designed for very high levels of surface loading over a small area....in short, places like flat tappet-to-cam lobe, contact. Moly additives, like what are found in EP (extreme pressure) greases & so forth, are a little less highly rated & work well where the contact is more of a sliding motion (technically lifter-to-lobe IS a sliding/rotating contact but the loads are incredibly high for the amount of surface area). Most oils, including at least early synthetics, had zinc, phosphorus, or a compound with one/both in them. As roller tappets became the standard in most automotive use, the need for zinc lessened, & since it causes issues with converters (a**** other things) it got booted from most auto oil...& now diesel-rated oil as well. Zinc may be cheaper to add to oil than moly....wouldn't surprise me. Some oils seem to have it (moly), some not...the specialty oils more so, but oddly enough, Mystik 5W30 has a lot too. Amsoil was well regarded in the past. I have heard rumors about the quality now but I can't say as to their truth. I do have some ****ysis of Amsoil from 2004-05 that indicate the zinc content was between 1265-1382 ppm, which is right up there with the diesel oils, actually a bit higher.
Brad-Penn has a 30w break in oil that's supposed to have the added zinc. I found a distributor for Brad-Penn oil in High Point, NC., Kennedy Oil Co., great folks to deal with, ask for Kay. 20w50 and 10w30 racing oils were $29.95 for a 12 quart case, or $2.50 per quart. That sure beats that price quoted earlier in this thread. Break-in-oil was $33.95 per case. I stocked up with a $400 order. How much is this new Castrol high zinc per case?
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