[panhead59]

I've got some ZDDPlus from a local auto parts store. They all sell it. It says that it will "restore ZDDP specs to SF levels". It also says it will only "treat" 4-5 quarts, and most of our engines hold 6 qts. or more. So is there enough zinc in the SF level to protect our flat tappet cam/lifters? The Valvoline oil I have is rated at SN/SM, ilsac gf-5. So that exceeds the SF level with the SN/SM oil. Or does it? (as far as the zinc goes?)
Don't mean to start this very long and contentious debate all over again, I just can't find a good, high level zinc oil locally. The best one I've found around here is Valvoline racing oil and it's 50 wt. I realize that I can always order it somewhere and get whatever I want. What do you think?

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by panhead59

Don't mean to start this very long and contentious debate all over again, I just can't find a good, high level zinc oil locally.

You can't find Mobil 1 locally?

Mob1 15W50 and 0W40 both have sufficient ZDDP for flat tappet cams and are recommended by Mobil for their customers that are running flat tappet cams.

I can easily find both of these oils at big box stores in my area.

I have run Brad Penn oil in the past, but switched to Mob1 for the same reason you give above - I didn't like having to mail order my oil.

I've been using Mob1 for about the last 10 years. Initial break in on my 462 was done with conventional Valvoline 20W50 back in 2013. Mob1 went in after the second oil change at 2,000 miles on the engine.

[panhead59]

I didn't realize that about Mobil 1. Thanks for the info. My bust!!!

[panhead59]

Now hang on a second. That's full synthetic right? Different animal all together if it is. ( Here we go again!!) I'm just interested in conventional oil. Just my preference.

[abefromen]

I'm interested in the answer to this question too. I prefer to run off the shelf conventional oil and just add the zinc additive. I have been adding one bottle of the ZDDP additive to my 6 qt oil change and haven't had any probs but then again I don't drive much.

[pfilean]

Mobil 1 for high mileage vehicles also has more ZDDP. Don't remember if it is as high as the 15W50 or 0W40 but iti s higher in the 10W30 and 10W40 than Mobil 1 for new vehicles. But then again it is synthetic.

[craigs69]

I use 1/2 oz of Cam Shield additive in each quart of Valvoline 10W-40 that I put in my 469. It was recommended to me by my engine builder to keep my solid flat tappet cam happy. So far, so good. The only downside is that I have to order it online.


http://www.cam-shield.com/

[GRX]

A bottle of STP with every oil change is all that I have ever needed. Compatible with both dyno & synthetic.

http://www.stp.com/products/oil-additives/oil-treatment

[rohrt]

The Shell Rotella T diesel is the only one I found that has the 1200 ppm of zinc with no additives, easy to get and most budget friendly.

See my post #25
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=787704&page=2

[HWYSTR455]

That's all I run too, the Rotella T, even though I'm all roller now. I used to run Valvoline, but they reformulated some of the 'standard' line oils.

.

[TROYBOYONE]

Quaker State High Mileage 'DEFY' in 10w40 has a high content of zinc as well.

[Vengeance Race Engines]

Originally Posted by panhead59

I've got some ZDDPlus from a local auto parts store. They all sell it. It says that it will "restore ZDDP specs to SF levels". It also says it will only "treat" 4-5 quarts, and most of our engines hold 6 qts. or more. So is there enough zinc in the SF level to protect our flat tappet cam/lifters? The Valvoline oil I have is rated at SN/SM, ilsac gf-5. So that exceeds the SF level with the SN/SM oil. Or does it? (as far as the zinc goes?)
Don't mean to start this very long and contentious debate all over again, I just can't find a good, high level zinc oil locally. The best one I've found around here is Valvoline racing oil and it's 50 wt. I realize that I can always order it somewhere and get whatever I want. What do you think?

I have had customers use the additive years ago, 2 bottles to the 6 or 7 quarts they would normally run. No issues, but I don't feel it's the same as running the right oil with all the Zinc to begin with. We were using Bradd Penn as well, but a very good alternative has been the 20/50 Valvoline VR1 Race oil. I have many guys running that since it is sold in local stores. We use Lucas 30 wt "Break In" specific for the first few initial easy pulls on the dyno, then switch over to the VR1 or Lucas 20/50 Race oil. For the milder stuff, Lucas makes a nice "Hot Rod" oil for the 10/30-10/40 weights. ALL Conventional. Just a personal preference, but I don't use Synthetic in anything.
My thoughts on the subject, back when they removed the Zinc from the standard oil most guys ran, they replaced it with a ton of Moly. It is my understanding that the Moly breaks down too quickly in these oils, which is the Black sh!t that you see in the bottom of the oil pan after it is removed from the engine, that doesn't drain with the oil. Also, ESPECIALLY with any roller parts using needle bearings, like lifters and rockers etc.. were starting to wear out faster after they removed the Zinc. The Moly gets in these needle bearings, causing them to slide rather than roll, when they slide, they flatten, when they flatten, bad things happen. It's just the way I see and understand it, then again I tend to look at things A LOT different then most...

[AdamIsAdam]

Originally Posted by rohrt

The Shell Rotella T diesel is the only one I found that has the 1200 ppm of zinc with no additives, easy to get and most budget friendly.

See my post #25
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=787704&page=2

This was reformulated years ago and reduced the zinc levels.

Valvoline VR Race 20/50 is my preference and is available both on the shelf at S-K (local speed shop) or mail order for a fair price and free shipping with Prime.

[rohrt]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

This was reformulated years ago and reduced the zinc levels.

Valvoline VR Race 20/50 is my preference and is available both on the shelf at S-K (local speed shop) or mail order for a fair price and free shipping with Prime.

Not according to recent request to shell's tech department that I have seen.

[Grand73Am]

If you want less viscosity than 20w50, the VR-1 also comes in 10w30. Most parts stores seem to keep 20w50 only on the shelf, but my local NAPA also keeps some 10w30 in stock, but I have to ask for it.

[Vengeance Race Engines]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

This was reformulated years ago and reduced the zinc levels.

Valvoline VR Race 20/50 is my preference and is available both on the shelf at S-K (local speed shop) or mail order for a fair price and free shipping with Prime.

I have heard this as well, and only really had 1 or 2 guys using it back then. I didn't care for it too much to be honest so I haven't really looked into whether or not they changed it.

Unfortunately the VR1 isn't offered in 10/40 that I know of, but our builds predominantly use the 20/50 stuff anyway and like Adam mentioned, it's real reasonable price wise.

[thebuick]

I have been using this 20/50 for a couple years now no issues what so ever and the local parts store had it on sale last month for cheap money, I cleaned them out

[AdamIsAdam]

I just checked my past Amazon order history. I paid $5.31 per qt when I bought a case of 6. I have Prime so shipping is free to me and FAST. It's actually cheaper for me to have it delivered than to take a special trip to the store for it. I ran it all winter and cold starts didn't seem to be a bother at all. (Car is in the garage of course.) I let it crank for a good 10 seconds to circulate the oil, during which time the empty Qjet bowl is filling up, then when it fires up, I immediately have 65psi.

I see less oil drips on the garage floor too. Almost none at all. Always a plus.

[J.C.you]

here is some info on zinc for current diesel oils.... according to this test the old rotella diesel oil had LESS zinc than the current product offered.

http://bestmotoroil.weebly.com/diese...l#.Vx9p78b2ano

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by J.C.you

here is some info on zinc for current diesel oils.... according to this test the old rotella diesel oil had LESS zinc than the current product offered.

http://bestmotoroil.weebly.com/diese...l#.Vx9p78b2ano

The oil testing equipment and the test procedure used here, were working perfectly fine, with no issue at all. In fact, in the middle of testing all these Diesel oils, I performed what you might call a calibration check, by re-testing once again, the number one ranked gas engine oil, the 5W30 Pennzoil Ultra, API SM, to see if its numbers would be reproduced within the normal variation range. And in this re-test, it produced numbers that were only a few percent different from its original posted value of 115,612 psi, which put that oil in the OUTSTANDING PROTECTION category (Over 90,000 psi). So, the test equipment and procedure are still right on the money. Therefore, these Diesel oil psi numbers are absolutely correct, and simply are what they are. So, what’s going on here?

Obviously since all these diesel oil numbers are so closely clustered together with only about a 20,000 psi range (compared to the gas engine oil numbers which have a much larger range of almost 60,000 psi), it is clear that the oil companies intentionally formulated them to be in this general range. Why would they do that? How can that be good enough for these hard working diesel engines?

Diesel engines of this type are made very rugged and very durable for the long haul. And in order to accomplish that, the engine’s components are designed and sized to keep the part loading at a modest level. And of course, these engines are known primarily for their impressive low end torque under boost, but NOT for their high rpm HP. All that being the case, these oils don’t need to have a higher capability. And this type of Diesel engine typically takes a LOT OF OIL. So, cost becomes a real factor when changing oil. This means that no oil company is going to make their products way better than needed, because that would make their products too expensive to be competitive in the marketplace.

And no one can complain that my test equipment and test procedure do not allow high zinc oils to perform at their highest level. Because here are some high zinc (over 1100 ppm) conventional, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic gasoline engine oils that I’ve tested previously. And they all had test results over 90,000 psi, which put them in the “OUTSTANDING PROTECTION” category for gasoline engines.

And again, as far as load carrying abilities, Pennzoil Ultra 5W30 synthetic gasoline oil is a better choice than all the aforementioned diesel/performance oils. It's in black and white that in testing it surpasses most all other oils, many by a large margin.