Sounds like Castrol is coming out with a new oil for our classics

[Brad]

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=7032644
I hear it'll be out by October. Not sure I'll be using it- these old L6's will run without any oil at all, but might be just the ticket for many of you.

[combustion]

there has been threads about this issue. does this affect all flat tappet hydraulic lifter engines? i have a 1994 454. will my engine require this type of oil?
this had me concerned

[xtreme80]

That's a pretty thick oil! But reading at the bottom it says it's for pre-49 up till 73. Does that mean I can't run it in my 80? lol

combustion, this quote was taken directly from his link:

* SYNTEC 20W–50 does not meet the catalyst compatibility requirements of vehicles manufactured since 1993.

[combustion]

Originally Posted by xtreme80

That's a pretty thick oil! But reading at the bottom it says it's for pre-49 up till 73. Does that mean I can't run it in my 80? lol

combustion, this quote was taken directly from his link:

lol that's fine. its in my 71 custom. so its not gonna matter since i don't even have cats haha. I'm just concerned because i heard that its affecting flat tappet motors like i said. this had me freaked out. so does this mean that i can run regular motor oil in my gen 5 454?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Interesting development. I have been running Valvoline 20W-50 Synpower (full synth) in the V8 350 of my '71 Jimmy. I run straight Valvoline SAE 30 in my 292 L6 on the '68 C/10. It seems to like the straight oil. It gave a growl of appreciation after I changed back to 30 weight. I will probably go back to 20-W50 in the winter.
I have no aversion to Castrol. I have a couple cases of it on my shelf.

[72armyswbtruck]

Most old engines should be cured well enough by now that it shouldn't make that much of a difference

[67ChevyRedneck]

You can run Shell Rotella T.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by 72armyswbtruck

Most old engines should be cured well enough by now that it shouldn't make that much of a difference

New gasoline oils have reduced amounts of Zink... it DOES matter. If you don't have a roller vam, then your engine is at risk with the new oils... PERIOD. (unless you are putting a zink additive in with the oil.)
The only exception to that rule today, is royal purple, they never reduced the zink levels in there oils.

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

You can run Shell Rotella T.

That WAS true.. but the new diesel Shell Rotella 15/40 has NO zink in it.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

That WAS true.. but the new diesel Shell Rotella 15/40 has NO zink in it.

How about Delo 400?......I haven't looked at any lately. I know it used to be recomended for gas engines with flat tappet cams. In fact Crane cams rec omends using Shell RotellaT, Chevron Delo 400 or Mobile DELVAC oils......read it on their site not long ago.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

That WAS true.. but the new diesel Shell Rotella 15/40 has NO zink in it.

Crap, when did that start? Must have been real recent?

[Ole Blue 68]

I was planning to switch to Royal Purple on my next oil change. Sounds like that might be a good move.

[Longhorn Man]

redneck, it is real recent. In all reality, what you find on the shelf is probably still the zink stuff, but they aren't making it anymore.
I don't know about the other diesel oils, however, I would assume they have gone minimal/or without. The oil companies didn't want to do this, the auto makers convinced the feds to require it.

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by Brad

... these old L6's will run without any oil at all, but might be just the ticket for many of you.

Until you punch a hole the size of your fist in the side of the block and a rod cap is laying on the crossmember
I hate idiot lights!!!

I know, you can't fix stupid

[Brad]

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

Until you punch a hole the size of your fist in the side of the block and a rod cap is laying on the crossmember
I hate idiot lights!!!

I know, you can't fix stupid

70rs/ss had something very similar happen to him as a teenager. He just kept going until he was home!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Anyone know if this is out yet? I need to change my oil real soon in the '67

Originally Posted by Brad

70rs/ss had something very similar happen to him as a teenager. He just kept going until he was home!

I did too! I was 17 and driving back from Erie, PA on the interstate going about 70 (had the truck floored ). It had a 250 six and 3 speed. I checked the oil before I left and it was good. I got back (about 90 miles round trip later) and saw oil all move my tailgate? Apparently, it decided to blow out the vent tube thing on the side of the engine. No oil registered on the dipstick Put oil back in it and drove the dang thing about another 10K before I pulled a good running 6 out for a 350

[PICKMUP]

This does seem to be a concern for flat tappet cams...they need the wear protection of zinc & phospherous...now gone in all oils.
That new Castrol should be the answer, but pretty spendy as most synthetics go...and so many of our old used engines use some oil $$$.
All of our warehouses have been out of the old good oil for some time.
You are looking for the old "SL" rated oils...not the new "SM". Check the back of the bottles for these symbols.
GM's "OES" (engine oil supplement) is recommended for adding zinc, etc back into your oil. That could get a little expensive, too.
Valvoline has a new "BLUE" oil for diesels that may show some promise...TBD.
Chevys are notorious for wiping out cams & lifters, so this isn't going to help. If you are building a new engine, consider roller lifters.

[SactoJim]

Valvoline "Racing" oils all seem to have the missing zinc.

[jeffspower]

The new "CJ-4" diesel oils made for '07 diesel emissions w/ DPF systems are low- ash formulas. They are supposed to be cleaner burning oils with better lubrication properties. I can't find anything about their zinc content, but I would bet it is non- existent, since it wouldn't be needed. Most HD/ MD diesel engines that are worth acknowledging have been roller- cammed for decades. Also, CJ-4 oils are not recommended for older engines with non- synthetic gaskets & seals as it can cause leaks.

[68C15]

Originally Posted by xtreme80

That's a pretty thick oil! But reading at the bottom it says it's for pre-49 up till 73. Does that mean I can't run it in my 80? lol

combustion, this quote was taken directly from his link:

the reason it stops at 73 is in 74 they came with converters. Zinc plugs up converters. (this is why the car makers lobbied for the zinc removal, so they could extend the warranties and not pay for it later) Castrol is doing the "lawyer induced dance" when they mention the pre-73 issue to avoid any legal issues. over a long time frame you will see a drop in converter efficiency and higher emissions. if you are like me and live in a no test state it will be fine. otherwise plan to replace the cat every 5 years or so.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Is anyone making a Zinc-only additive? So you could add it in along with your regular oil at oil changes. I saw on another thread [possibly in Engine & Drivetrain] about how GM EOS was discontinued or no longer available.

[moose83772]

all that is is a 20w50 synthetic. amsoil makes the same thing. if you do a search for it on google you can find it and order it shipped to your door. but be prepared to pay 9.50 per qt. i run it in my bmw. awesome stuff.

[arkracing]

I've been running "Castrol" Tection Extra in my daily. I seem to have had good luck finding @ Wal Mart around CT. It actually says on the back of the bottle that it contains "ZincDi.......phospate" or whatever it is some long drawn out thing. I don't know how much is in there, but the fact that it actually says it on the bottle gives me some peace of mind.


In the hot rod (i.e. Built Motor) I broke it in with regular Castrol and added Crane's "Super Break-In Concentrate" and I put a bottle in after break-in as well.

"Valvoline Racing" also says that it contains Zinc/ZDDP's on the back of the bottle - and you can get that @ AutoZone etc.
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...sp?product=50#
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=94
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=95
I put the Valvoline Racing VR1 20/50 in the BBC hot rod motor this last time.
Although now that I think about it - you probably want the one that says "Not Street Legal" as it probably has more ZINC and crap that the Gov't doesn't want in the air

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by moose83772

all that is is a 20w50 synthetic. amsoil makes the same thing.

you might want to look into that some more.

[Pyrotechnic]

I broke in my cam on Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40 and had good results. The rating was unclear because it said CI-4 plus in the circular logo, but then it listed CJ-4 under it with all the other applications.

Not sure what the deal is with zinc and CJ-4 oils but I don't think they completely wiped out the zinc. I was doing research awhile back and it seems that the CJ-4 oils still had decent zinc content.

I do remember that Shell was going to continue selling CI-4 plus Rotella in 55 gallon drums. Chances are if you go to a truck stop or diesel shop, you might be able to find it.

I checked Valvoline's website as well, and they offer CI-4 plus Premium Blue as "Premium Blue Classic" in 5 gallon buckets.

[67 cst swb]

The link below is to the company that originally bottled the Kendall oil (the sticky green stuff, notice company address)
If you call the company, they will get you in contact with the distributors in your area.
The MSDS sheets for the oils I looked up show a content of "1% Zinc"
Any questions PM me... My boss is a distributor, but it would be costly to ship (we are in South Dakota)


http://www.amref.com/bp_product_pgs/BPengoils.htm