Hey Guys,
I know this always comes up once in a while what is the best oil on the market today to use in our Y-Block flat tappet engines? It gets confussing with the amount of  ZDDP, synthetic vs standard etc. My question is my 292 is bone stock and was rebuilt 8,000 miles ago bought it and changed oil 6,000 miles ago used Valvoline Syn Tec runs fine great oil pressure etc. Want to change oil and continue to use a Synthetic grade but who's? Most guys I talk to say to use oil with Zinc and an oil with the most in it.
Amsoil, Mobil 1, Shell Rotella or Royal Purple? Any thoughts or help appreciated.

      The latest standard is a Oil that  meets the API SN  certification any oil in this category  has extreme  load Carrying and ware protection!  the brand you pick is up to you!
I use  Pennzoil High Mileage because it is  good Quality and is easy for me to get!     Experts Say  a Spark fired  engine should not use a     API C classified  Engine oil   that is  made to be used  in a Compression fired Engine meaning 
a diesel!

I know a lot of guys run diesel oil for the zinc, but I have concerns about the detergent package in them being too harsh for a gas engine over time. I run the PennZoil high mileage oil.

I am using Valvoline VR1 racing oil. Has high levels of zddp. Higher the even Brad Penn has. Plus you can get it locally so that's an added bonus.

Durham Missouri

I am(and have been) using Castrol 20-50 with 4 oz of Redline additive each oil change.I change oil every 2 thousand miles.

What oil to use in our Y-Blocks always brings up 100 opinions on what is suitable.. Our moderator Ted has reservations about the regular use of Diesel rated oils, and Racing oils are just that, intended for that purpose, not for long term use on the street. For flat tappet engines, the use of modern oils with the  "pin wheel gear" logo on the container, is likely not the best choice, because all those oils are intended for late model "roller valve train" engines with full emission controls. Those oils have reduced anti - scuff  additives, apparently to avoid damaging emission control parts.(government required)  Flat tappet engines need the anti scuff  additives. So, generally speaking, most 10-40 & up oils (without the"pinwheel" on the label) will have adequate anti-scuff additives... As for the use of Synthetics vs regular oils in flat tappet engines, I won't venture an uninformed opinion on that subject..    


Paul

There has been so much information and misinformation and myths about oils it's enough to make your head spin.
I have recently read about the not to use diesel oils in gas engines. I was given a huge amount of Delo 10-40 conventional oil about 10 years ago and have been using it in my 223 six ever since with no problems so far..
After rebuilding my 292 I've been using Joe Gibbs HR 10-30 conventional, I'm just not crazy about using synthetics, just a personal choice. BUT! I have been using Valvoline VR1 in my 390FE that has a solid lifter cam for the past three years without any issues.
Here is something to read if you have some extra time.
https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/

     When We were  rebuilding my engine  OI contacted Pennzoil to find out what  They recommended  for  a oil for 1950's engines, What they told me was, The best lubrication I could  get for my old engine was a  API  SN grade oil!
 I asked  about  using an oil rated for the older  cars  I was told  those  oils are  obsolete  and do not have adequate  protection for any engine!    The latest grade of oil  has the  best load holding and anti scuff protection than any oil made before!    One more thing I forgot to add was  they were  adamant do not use any additive of  any type, Some additives have chemicals that will work against   the property's of the oil and will decrease the  protection!

Guys,

The above article is actually worth taking the time to read.!!!

Many of us have WRONGLY selected higher viscosity oils thinking they're "better" for break-in and for older engines for many years.
Nothing could be further from the truth.  (As evidenced by the fact that MANY new engine manufacturers use 5W-30 as a factory fill on zero-time engines)    Also the myth of "higher ZDDP"  means better wear protection is still alive, but completely DEBUNKED by the above article.

It's LONG and somewhat boring.   But I strongly suggest anyone wanting to know what oil to use, read it in it's entirety.

Cheers,


Rick






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1955 F-600/272/E4OD// Disclaimer: No animals were injured while test driving my F-600 except the ones I ran over intentionally!

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This post was created using OpenSuSE Linux x64 and Firefox

     I have to agree with you on that there is some good information there , I  have also seen  some guys on speed talk shoot  this down but they have no proof of what there saying,
just lots of talk