Engine Oil

max71 · Post by **max71** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:00 pm

(Split from this thread)

I've read all about this before I broke in the engine and used truck oil with loads of ZDDP which unfortunately had to finally reformulate to comply with autos.

Right now I use Valvoline race because it has ZDDP. Who knows how long before they don't have the proper amounts of lubricants for our cams, etc. Steve uses some oil formulated specifically for our cars. I never thought about motorcycle oil. That's a great tip.

Post by **Steve Simmons** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:04 pm

I'm not getting into an oil debate, but here are the specs on the oil I use in four of my cars...

SAE Viscosity Grade 15W-40

Viscosity
@ 100 °C, cSt 15.0
@ 40°C, cSt 112

Viscosity Index 136

Cold Cranking Viscosity — ASTM D5293 (SAE Grade Maximum: 15W- = 7,000)
@ -20°C, cP 6,600

Cold Pumping Viscosity — ASTM D4684 (SAE Grade Maximum: All Grades = 60,000 cP)
@ -25°C, cP <20,000

Borderline Pumping Temperature — ASTM D3829
Maximum °F, (°C) -4 (-20)

High Temperature/High Shear Viscosity Stability
@ 150°C, TBS, cP 3.9

Flash Point, COC, °F(°C) 430 (221)

Gravity, API 27.6

Sulfated Ash, Wt. % 1.5

Total Base Number 11
ASTM D2896

Zinc (ppm) 1,600

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:51 pm

Hi Steve,
You've left out the most important factor, The API. This mustn't be any later than SH. If it is, then important additives have been deleted in the name of emissions. You used to be able to get an additive at GM dealers, but I don't think it's available any more.
Malcolm

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:59 pm

Steve,
You should really believe me on this one. It irritates me, but I can't bring to memory the component that is absent in API SL/SM oil. I guess I'm not as organised as you, but if you can't find it I'll look it up for you.
Malcolm

Post by **Steve Simmons** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:18 am

It meets SH, SJ and SL. This oil was designed by vintage automobile enthusiasts specifically for vintage engines. It was formulated for this purpose in conjunction with DA Lubricants, who are quite well known and perhaps top of the game. I'm quite confident in its ability to protect my engines. Without a time machine I can't say how it will hold up against other oils, but I can report that it holds its viscosity better than anything else I've used. In fact despite its lighter weight, I saw an immediate 5 PSI increase across the board. No plans to change to anything else at this point in time.

Not sure what compounds you're referring to either, but the most important that I'm aware of are ash and the various elements that make up ZDDP.

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:04 am

Yes Steve,
ZDDP was what I was trying to remember. If your oil contains ZDDP, then it doesn't meet with API SL/SM specifications. I'm pretty sure that ZDDP is omtted in the latest oil specifications to meet current EPA requirements.
Malcolm

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:40 am

By the way Steve, do you know what the flow rate of your oil filter is? I notice in the specifications that you quote for your engine oil that the cold pumping viscosity is quite high, although -20C is never going to be a problem for you in Woodland Hills. I guess your normal oil temp is about 80C in most of your cars, where you would probably require about 25 unit center strokes viscosity to flow adequately through your oil filter. However, when your oil is cold, lets say 5C, you may have a viscosity of about 2000 center strokes. At this point almost all of your oil will by-pass your filter, letting all of the carbon suspended in your engine oil abrase your engine's bearing surfaces.
Malcolm

Post by **Steve Simmons** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:13 pm

I don't have the exact flow rate numbers, but I do use high-flow filters.

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:52 pm

I think for your MGC GTS you need about 70liters per minute, and your MGB about 50liters per minute. This is at working temperature, say 80C and a viscosity of say 15 C.St. I think that most of the spin on filter conversions give a poorer flow rate than the original element type filters. Of course at cold, and warm up, temperatures you will have a much higher viscosity rating perhaps as much as 2000 C.St . Then your oil is like treacle, and most of it will by-pass the filter.
Malcolm

Post by **Steve Simmons** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:44 pm

Actually I do use the original type element on the GTS, and a different oil than what I posted above.

Have to admit I had to look up treacle. Hadn't heard of that before. Maybe it's more common on the other side of the pond.

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:52 pm

Sorry, I was trying to depict the oil as being very thick and sticky. Hey, if you don't know what treacle is, then you've probably never enjoyed treacle sponge pudding!
Malcolm

max71 · Post by **max71** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:40 pm

I had to look up treacle as well. So Malcolm - analyzer: Burmese food. What do you say?

spitfire · Post by **spitfire** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:50 pm

Dang, am I the only yank that knew was treacle was without looking it up?

Post by **Steve Simmons** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:21 pm

I think maybe you were! That's ok, I don't feel bad because I know what an aebleskiver is and am having some tomorrow.

Malcolm, if sponge pudding is anything like blood pudding then I don't want to get within 500 yards of it.

malcolmr18zoy · Post by **malcolmr18zoy** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:45 am

Steve,
No similarity at all. I think you're refering to what we call black pudding in England. Treacle sponge pudding is a sweet dessert, and very nice when served with hot custard. I think you people call custard vanilla pudding.
Gary,
Lets do it. It'll probably be after Christmas now though.
Malcolm

max71 · Post by **max71** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:55 am

Hey Malcolm. Just let us know what day. I know during the week is best for you.