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Old 02-24-2026, 05:09 PM   #1
bobsmanstuff
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I was curious, has anyone used or have an opinion on Lucas Hot Rod oil with zinc in a flathead motor? Thanks
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Old 02-24-2026, 05:45 PM   #2
The Art Doctor
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Default Re: oil
Give this a watch and see about oils marketed for vintage cars:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3uXSI9wQv8
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Old 02-24-2026, 06:46 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by bobsmanstuff View Post
I was curious, has anyone used or have an opinion on Lucas Hot Rod oil with zinc in a flathead motor? Thanks
Save us all some pain and do a little research on your own. It’s too easy. This has been covered numerous times.
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Old 02-24-2026, 07:01 PM   #4
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Excuse me for asking.
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Old 02-24-2026, 07:07 PM   #5
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I was curious, has anyone used or have an opinion on Lucas Hot Rod oil with zinc in a flathead motor? Thanks


GOOD STUFF! IT WORKS!
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Old 02-24-2026, 07:15 PM   #6
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My only opinion is that easy to get NAPA oil sure seems to work well in everything.
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Old 02-24-2026, 08:13 PM   #7
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I've been using Castrol GTX 20-50 for 25 years. Stock cam and Johnson lifters.
I don't think a stock flatty has enough valve spring pressure to warrant the expense of the Rodney Racer oils.
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Old 02-25-2026, 09:40 AM   #8
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Any modern oil is better than what these engines had originally. If you think you need "Zinc" Kendall GT-1 is the way I go.
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Old 02-27-2026, 11:13 AM   #9
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Any modern oil is better than what these engines had originally. If you think you need "Zinc" Kendall GT-1 is the way I go.
Yes sir, the key phrase being "if you think you need".
You don't, not a stock flathead.
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Old 02-27-2026, 12:34 PM   #10
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Any modern oil is better than what these engines had originally. If you think you need "Zinc" Kendall GT-1 is the way I go.
Except for non-detergent. I hate to be a broken record, but there are still some out there that think it is OK because it was what was available "back in the day".
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Old 02-27-2026, 12:59 PM   #11
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Default Re: oil
Discussions of oils always creates controversy. Keep in mind - today's oils are so much better than what was available years ago.
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Old 02-27-2026, 02:38 PM   #12
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Except for non-detergent. I hate to be a broken record, but there are still some out there that think it is OK because it was what was available "back in the day".
Very good point!
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Old 02-28-2026, 07:15 AM   #13
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For me, it's 10-30 non detergent, and I add Zinc.
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Old 03-02-2026, 04:24 PM   #14
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For me, it's 10-30 non detergent, and I add Zinc.
Where can you find 10-30 non-detergent oil?!
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Old 03-02-2026, 07:38 PM   #15
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Why do you want to screw around looking for some special oil, like Gene1949 says, go to Walmart and buy 20-50 GTX as I do the same as he does and I have never had any problems either. You can go to any auto parts store and get the same oil as GTX. Keep it simple.
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Old 03-02-2026, 09:55 PM   #16
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But... You can always use any leftover non-detergent in you air compressor.
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Old 03-03-2026, 04:08 AM   #17
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Autozone, Oreilly's, NAPA. etc. Non detergent oil is easy to find.
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Old 03-03-2026, 12:51 PM   #18
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Perhaps it shouldn't be.
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Old 03-03-2026, 01:51 PM   #19
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I bought some once for a break in, seemed to work pretty well, didn't leave it too long.
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Old 03-04-2026, 07:41 AM   #20
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you put detergent in your washer when you clean your dirty shop clothes. ? ?
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