motor oil

[manoa matt]

Hey guys, what motor does everyone use?

books say: API service SE-CC or MS

VS40(SAE40)

VS15W-40


I've checked 15W-40, and It seems to be for diesel engines or heavy machinery (farm applications)

Does you use unigrade, or multigrade, standard or synthetic?

I live in Hawaii, so cold weather oil is not a concern

thanks

matt

[mdrburchette]

I don't have a problem with 10W30 in my new engine or straight 30 with my old tired engine.

[So Cal Mark]

as Denise pointed out, it really depends on engine condition, but other factors such as operating conditions, temps, rpm range, should be considered. Also, the rating of the oil is important. Most of the new oils are not suitable for flat tappet engines, since they're designed for roller cams. It can lead to accelerated camshaft wear

[mdrburchette]

Mark, how do we tell which of these "new" oils are the ones you're referring to? I didn't realize there was a difference.

[So Cal Mark]

I think the latest designation is SL and SM. I read an article in one of my trade mags about flat tappet cam failures with this oil.
Try this link for basic info, I'll research the cam failures and post it asap;
http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articl ... 20030901og

[manoa matt]

This is beginning to sound like the dilema of the gearbox oil. Ok, so if the current oils may cause tappet failure, then what do I do? Try to find a carrier of SE oil on the internet, and have them ship me 5 quarts every three months? Mark what manufacturer/grade/type of oil do you put in your engines? Driving conditions and climate of California is similar to Hawaii.

thanks

matt

[So Cal Mark]

SJ is the designation that should be best for our Fiat engines, and it is still around.
I use different oils depending on engine condition mostly. 10/30, 10/40, 20/50 and synthetics depending on customers' requests, time of year and engine wear. 10/30 would be the most common, but I like a heavier oil for perf use. You should look at a chart that shows the temp range of each weight oil, that will help you make your choice

[So Cal Mark]

The new issue of Car Craft happens to have an article that contains info about oils and ceamshafts. They claim that zinc phosphate is the critical lubricant that flat tappet cams need and that oil with SJ and SM ratings have greatly reduced amounts.
here is a comparison of zinc phosphate levels in oils over the years;
1996----------SH----------------------1300 ppm
2001----------SJ-----------------------1100 ppm
2005----------SM----------------------870 ppm
2006----------Shell Rotella T---------1400 ppm
2006----------Q Racing---------------1960 ppm
2006----------Gibbs Racing XP-4----2800 ppm

The Shell oil is a diesel oil. CC is quoted as saying "If the oil is SJ or SM rated, it probably does not offer higher levels of ZDDP (zinc phospate). Racing oil is generally not API rated, since it is not intended for daily use in production engines. But for high-performance street engines, racing oils offer advantages as long as you treat the engine to frequent drain intervals."

CC also lists oils that contain higher levels of zinc phosphate;
Castrol Tection Extra----------------15w/40
Chevron Delo 400-------------------15w/40
Mobil Delvac 1300-------------------15w/40
Shell Rotella T-----------------------15w/40
Quaker State Q Racing-------------0w/5, 15w/50, 17.5w/35
Gibbs Racing MicroZol---------------0w/20, 10w/30

Several of those oils are diesel oils, and they're fairly pricey, but CC suggests using them. Their sources for the article are Shell Oil, Valvoline, Crane Cams and Comp Cams.

[manoa matt]

Wow thanks Mark,

This helps alot. I was thinking about those 15W-40 oils while at the store, I was discouraged from buying them because they all said either diesel, or fleet applications. I just got her started last night after a two month total engine and tranny rebuild, what a relief. I just put an enexpensive 10W-40 in while I get it tuned and timed. Strong magnets on the oil filter and oil pan to collect metal pieces. Once its running like a top then I'll change to 15W-40.

thanks alot

matt

[Todd]

Mark,

I just got a 1980 spider with 67k orig miles and live in So. Ca. Do you recommend 15-40w oil?

[So Cal Mark]

that's a pretty good choice for the temperature range we experience.

[kristoj]

Wow thanks Mark,

This helps alot. I was thinking about those 15W-40 oils while at the store, I was discouraged from buying them because they all said either diesel, or fleet applications. I just got her started last night after a two month total engine and tranny rebuild, what a relief. I just put an enexpensive 10W-40 in while I get it tuned and timed. Strong magnets on the oil filter and oil pan to collect metal pieces. Once its running like a top then I'll change to 15W-40.

thanks alot

matt

I have always used Mobile 1 Extended Perfomance 15W-50. Exxon recommends this for flat tappet applications. See page two of their oil chart here: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... _Guide.pdf

[pope]

I had no idea about this. Great thread! I immediately did some research and found that Shell Rotella T-is now 1200 ppm as the government has made the oil manufactures conform to a cj/4 certification. 2006 and before was ci/4 and had 1400ppm. Walmart and Sams Club sells for about $8.97 a gallon for Rotella T and 9.97 for Delo.

Every cam manufacture of flat tappets strongly recommends
Chevron Delo -15w/40
Mobil Delvac -15w/40
Shell Rotella T-15w/40

Good info guys

[So Cal Mark]

I just talked to my cam grinder about this issue last week. His feeling is that it's only critical during break-in of a new cam. After that any good oil is okay. I'm not sure I agree 100%. I think it's best to run the right stuff all of the time

[CarNut]

SJ is the designation that should be best for our Fiat engines, and it is still around...

Looking right at a jug of Rotella T - it's rated SJ, SL, and SM.
From their web site:

It is a premium quality, heavy-duty multigrade oil for all-season use in diesel-powered or gasoline-powered equipment

.