[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

People get overly concerned about a lot of nothing.

I've had an 80 lbs. pump in my bird for 25 years and over 100k miles without a single issue, and I run 20-50 in it, with a stock pump shaft . No big deal. lol

I think where someone might get into trouble is running the 20-50 that pours like molasses. But I think you'd have to be doing something really stupid with a cold engine. If you pay attention to additive packages you'll find a few 20-50 brands that pour as good and even better than some 10-30 stuff out there.

Tony Bischoff, one of the best engine builders in the country, used a big pump in dad's engine and that thing will run close to 80 PSI, and it's been really kind to the composite gear on the distributor too for the last 7 years of driving it, and he runs the same 20-50 that Tony recommended.

What oil did Tony recommend ? I have some VR1 and Shaeffer,s 20-50 for new engine.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

What oil did Tony recommend ? I have some VR1 and Shaeffer,s 20-50 for new engine.

He's an Amsoil guy, or I should say he was then. I'm not sure if he's still using it or not, but there are a lot of comparable oils I think are just as good.

That Schaefer oil I've read about and it sounds good. Never tried it but I wouldn't be afraid to.

Something dad's engine does with the 20-50 Z-rod, it has over 70 psi oil pressure while cruising but at a hot idle it's around 30-ish after a long highway jaunt. I see it as pretty normal. Thinner oil might bring both of those readings down a pinch to something some here might consider more normal, but I kind of like decent oil pressure at idle with hydraulic roller lifters and sometimes that requires a decent oil pump, so we've just left it as is. Some of that has to do with oil clearances too but for the most part, hot idle is what I pay most attention to.

[PunchT37]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

He's an Amsoil guy, or I should say he was then. I'm not sure if he's still using it or not, but there are a lot of comparable oils I think are just as good.

That Schaefer oil I've read about and it sounds good. Never tried it but I wouldn't be afraid to.

Something dad's engine does with the 20-50 Z-rod, it has over 70 psi oil pressure while cruising but at a hot idle it's around 30-ish after a long highway jaunt. I see it as pretty normal. Thinner oil might bring both of those readings down a pinch to something some here might consider more normal, but I kind of like decent oil pressure at idle with hydraulic roller lifters and sometimes that requires a decent oil pump, so we've just left it as is. Some of that has to do with oil clearances too but for the most part, hot idle is what I pay most attention to.

Yep. Almost the same readings as mine. Used to be 17 at hot idle with 60 cruise. Now, 27 idle [in drive] and 70 cruise. About 32 idle in park, hot.

[68WarDog]

Originally Posted by PunchT37

Yep. Almost the same readings as mine. Used to be 17 at hot idle with 60 cruise. Now, 27 idle [in drive] and 70 cruise. About 32 idle in park, hot.

So where do you think the heavier oil took up the clearance(s) for a quieter engine? Lifter body , lifter bore, or?

[PunchT37]

Originally Posted by 68WarDog

So where do you think the heavier oil took up the clearance(s) for a quieter engine? Lifter body , lifter bore, or?

No difference in sound. Just higher oil pressure. Rods and mains are mid to upper 2`s. Don`t remember now. But not .003 and higher, or .002 and lower.

[Jay S]

We ran 20w50 in our bracket car for a lot of years. When we were in the winners circle and had to go round robin the car’s E.T. kept going quicker. For a long time we thought this engine really loves the heat and getting beat on…Then we went to a full synthetic 10w50 and it was dead on consistent when it was heat soaked….things that make you go hmmm.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by PunchT37

Yep. Almost the same readings as mine. Used to be 17 at hot idle with 60 cruise. Now, 27 idle [in drive] and 70 cruise. About 32 idle in park, hot.

Yeah, that's the only engine here in the stable that has about 30 hot idle oil pressure. Everything else here has at least 40 hot idle psi and some don't dip below 45 psi.