Let's talk oil

[Rusty Nail]

Several aren't as good as they were 5 or 10 yrs ago

I used Quaker State (conventional) 5w-30 since I was a kid and only recently switched to Valvoline after discovering they were bought by Pennzoil.

I lost ALL confidence in the bat of an eye. Valvoline has always been my second choice.

I would never tell you I am "the oil guy" but I grew up in the pit of a Jiffy Lube...that's how I started fixin cars.

 

[dajn37]

I remember as a kid my dad trying to teach me about engines and how they work. He took off a valve cover and it was a mess of sludge. "They probably used pennzoil" he said. I will never forget that. It's just an oil you hear nothing but bad things about. Not to hijack, but my 87 needs a change. Stock tbi 305. What I have been using is high mileage synthetic blend valvoline. 10w 30. I dont drive it in the winter. Anything wrong with that? I am open to suggestions. I dont see any reason to switch but oil is not my area of expertise. But I know how important it is.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Not in my eyes...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

My FATHER uses Castrol and it's a real toss-up between which oil is worse, that or Pennzoil.

 

[gotyourgoat]

The manual for my truck states straight 30 weight oil should be used. Not a lot of options in that variety.

 

[68post]

Nothing at all wrong with modern Pennzoil or Castrol. Neither will sludge an engine unless it's neglected.
Penn Platinum is likely the best synthetic to be found outside of a racing or boutique oil, their conventional/dino oil is highly regarded also !

Flat tappet or racing oils are in their own category.

That said, do the research to know more - or at least be better informed.

 

[4WDKC]

Synthetic can legally be Dino oil also, and likely are considering that's cheaper (or a blend thereof). None of the big Oil Co's can be trusted because the bottle doesn't have to change if they change their formula , and there'll be no public announcement declaring so.

Several aren't as good as they were 5 or 10 yrs ago, some you'd have to go back to before the Mobil VS Castrol lawsuit was settled and synthetic didn't have to be true synthetic anymore !!!

I spoke to my rep for Schaeffers and he told me the formula for the diesel oil I had been using in my vette changed and no longer is recommended for HFT cams. Looks like its back to the $7 a qt racing oils or Valvoline.

 

[Rusty Nail]

X

 

[Snoots]

Damn!
I use that Strawberry flavored oil on my girl and she ain't never had a problem in over 15 years.

 

[91Sasquatch]

I run valvoline full synethic 10w30 or 10w40 in all my vehicles. Plus i use lucus oil additive. In all my fluids i use lucus.

 

[Paladin]

Damn!
I use that Strawberry flavored oil on my girl and she ain't never had a problem in over 15 years.[/QUOTE

My gal prefers the Pina Colada Hot Booby Oil!!

 

[Wumbo]

Has anyone here had a cam failure that they reasonably believe was related to lack of ZDDP?

I've been hot rodding and wrenching since the early 90's and have only seen one cam failure. I know that the guy changed the cam, and he reused lifters, so even that cam failure wasn't oil related.

Another thing to think about, look at camshaft break in procedures. Ever notice that manufacturers specifically advise against breaking in cams with synthetic oil? They want high ZDDP dino oil for initial break in, then 5k miles on regular dino oil before you switch to synthetic to insure proper break in.

If the synthetic won't allow the parts to wear enough to break in, why wouldn't it be a superior long term lubricant?

 

[68post]

X

 

[75Cheyenne]

We use Rotella, and Delo at our hub on our fleet's we have about 100,000 units worldwide and most are 4.8l or 6.0l ls chevy, or mercedes 4 cylinder diesel. Miles put on vehicles are estimated 200-300 miles per day. Purchased by the keg/drum... As for c10 you guys are on your own for what works best, way too many engine variables and opinions.

 

[68post]

I highly doubt you could find a modern oil that would cause sludge, and formulas have been changed for the better in some/most ways and for the worse as far as flat tappet protection.

The info and experience is all out there for those that want to keep up with it.

 

[68post]

If the synthetic won't allow the parts to wear enough to break in, why wouldn't it be a superior long term lubricant?

That's not necessarily the reason as to why, but synthetics strongest suit is dealing with high or low temperature extremes, longevity, and cleaning ability.