Oil confusion, please help!

[jmon1123]

Hey all, I recently got a ‘69 long step, from the forest service up in wahington.
I will try to post photos later, but onto my question. in it, is it’s factory 292 with the granny 4speed. I want to do an oil change and shang the sparks, but i’m confused on what oil to use. I’m seeing so many different claims saying you need this additive or that additive. I’m in oregon and the temperature is getting down to the low 50s. If anyone has a solid answer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Mts67C10K20]

Here in Michigan I've always run 10w40 conventional oil
In my flat tappet cam engines

The article below is a good read on oil difference



Engine Oil Testing Results | The De Tomaso Forums
https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/eng...esting-results

[67C10Step]

I did the same as you back in May when I got my 67 with 283. After much reading and consideration I went and grabbed up five quarts of the Valvoline VR1 conventional racing oil. Looked at the Lucas additive as I am a big Lucas fan but decided to just go with a good oil that I did not have concerns using.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I run SAE 30 weight in my 292s.

[GASoline71]

Any 10w30 will do. You can also add zinc additive (ZDDP).

I live up in the northwest corner of WA State and I use 10w30 in all my older rigs.

Gary

[bigmac73]

for my flat tappet cammed engine I run Rotella conventional 10-30w
always hear it still had a zinc content .But I do not know for sure just never had any issues

[HO455]

Howdy neighbor.
I run Royal Purple HPS 10/30 in my daily driver Burban. High zinc so no additional additives needed. I usually get it through Jegs or Summit, but it is available locally through Baxter Auto parts.
And its on sale now. See below.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...yABEgKWn_D_BwE

[garyd1961]

Rotella took the zinc out a few years ago.

[Furno68C20]

you have to be careful and do research on your engine components. Oil's have changed, I just checked my dipstick and it was full of metal. Unknow to me, the cam I have is a flat tappet and was using just conventional 10w30 and the oil is nasty and dirty after not even 200 miles. Just bought hi zink Lucas Hot rod oil and hopefully the 327 will like it better. Hope the Cam isn't too worn down.

[rsavage]

Brad Penn Penn Grade - you can buy it from Summit if it is not available in your area. Only oil I will use in classic flat tappet engines.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

you have to be careful and do research on your engine components. Oil's have changed, I just checked my dipstick and it was full of metal. Unknow to me, the cam I have is a flat tappet and was using just conventional 10w30 and the oil is nasty and dirty after not even 200 miles. Just bought hi zink Lucas Hot rod oil and hopefully the 327 will like it better. Hope the Cam isn't too worn down.

Sad to say...if you have metal on the dipstick you have already have damage...

Flat cammed engines NEED an oil with high levels of Zinc or a Zinc based additive like ZDDP....As your engine runs, it generates heat and friction, especially at high-stress points like the cams, valves, and tappets, where metal-to-metal contact pressures can be extreme. As this heat and friction builds, the ZDDP breaks down into its chemical components, coating the metal with what's called a tribofilm and taking the brunt of the load. This film forms at the atomic scale, helping to protect the metal in your engine, and reacts in a "smart" way, increasing the protection as the friction and pressure increases. By reducing direct metal-to-metal contact, the ZDDP provides a replenishable wear surface that prolongs the life of your engine. Studies of ZDDP have shown that it effectively provides a cushioning effect on the underlying metal, distributing the force upon it and, accordingly, the wear.

Amazon has it as an additive...or you can buy Oils with ZDDP in the mix...

Dont use ZDDP in oil that is destined for any engine with a Cat in the exhaust system...Zinc Kills Cats...thats why the oil companies dropped it out...

[Furno68C20]

Good Info AussieinNC. What do I do from here? Keep running with zinc oil and hope it last, or suck it up and do a rebuild?

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by garyd1961

Rotella took the zinc out a few years ago.

That is not good.... do u have some documentation to support ? I might have to swap to royal purple

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

Good Info AussieinNC. What do I do from here? Keep running with zinc oil and hope it last, or suck it up and do a rebuild?

If there is metal embedded in the bearings, it will eventually eat the journals of the crankshaft and cause catastrophic failure. I learned this the hard way about 10 years ago.

Originally Posted by bigmac73

That is not good.... do u have some documentation to support ? I might have to swap to royal purple

I don't have documentation per se', but if you do a Google search for Rotella, you'll see that all "diesel" oils have had their zinc and phsphorus either almost eliminated or greatly reduced from twhat they were 10 years ago.

Gary

[HO455]

Originally Posted by bigmac73

That is not good.... do u have some documentation to support ? I might have to swap to royal purple

Does the oil have a API designation? If so they have removed the majority of ZDDP. The standards changed so in order to maintain their rating they removed the zinc. Zinc kills catalytic convertors and now that diesel trucks have them the zinc had to go.
Here are some links if your interested.

https://www.speed-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28365

https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/eng...esting-results

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

Good Info AussieinNC. What do I do from here? Keep running with zinc oil and hope it last, or suck it up and do a rebuild?

I would run it so long as it holds up but in the interim maybe look to build a replacement...

If you decide to build a new one, suggest you source a VORTEC 350 roller engine core and start from there....

Depending on intended use, you could use the stock heads or maybe go with some aftermarket...depends on budget....

There are plenty of 350 Vortecs out there in wrecking yards...just watch out for cracked heads...

[Furno68C20]

Its funny you mentioned a 350 vortec build. I've got 010 350 block and a pair of Vortec heads at the machine shop getting worked on. Still going to use a flat tappet cam due to the block but I know now use the correct oil.

Lucas 15W-40 dino oil with ZDDplus for my K10, Jimmy and 69' FJ40

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

Its funny you mentioned a 350 vortec build. I've got 010 350 block and a pair of Vortec heads at the machine shop getting worked on. Still going to use a flat tappet cam due to the block but I know now use the correct oil.

I would not be building an 010 350 now unless its for a true restoration...go grab a 350 Vortec lower end and you get a roller motor that will run better and not cost you a fortune...

Just my ten cents worth