Engine oil?

[RickMcK]

Hey a guy I met a few weeks ago said I should only use the engine oil made for big diesel trucks as the modern oils do not have the correct additives to properly lube the solid lifters in older engines. I have never heard of this before so I am asking the "experts"

I have a 1936 85 Hp V8

Any suggestions- recommendations?

Thanks
Rick Mck
Seattle

[Bassman/NZ]

That's rubbish. If anything, diesel oils have additives that are NOT good for our engines. He's talking about ZDDP, which was added to oil in the 50s to stop the new-fangled OHV engines from wearing the cam. If your engine is stock there is no need to use added ZDDP. It's only needed for soft aftermarket cams with high valve spring pressure.

[flatjack9]

I use 10W-30 Valvoline VR-1. Nix the diesel oil.

[ford3]

you can use any brand oil with the CJ,CL,or CM service raring in the specs circle(donut hole) on the front of the can, other than those its a crap shoot, just dont use the oil with the red circle on the front of can thats says for gasoline engines, that oil is for modern engines with roller tappets

[russcc]

You can get VR-1 at NAPA according to Valvoline

[Old Henry]

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Originally Posted by ford3

you can use any brand oil with the CJ,CL,or CM service raring in the specs circle(donut hole) on the front of the can, other than those its a crap shoot, just dont use the oil with the red circle on the front of can thats says for gasoline engines, that oil is for modern engines with roller tappets

Oops. Any specification on an oil container that starts with C indicates that it is for Compression ignition (diesel). You want those that start with an S (for spark ignition, i.e. gasoline engines.) Gasoline and diesel oils have different additive packages because the contaminants in the crankcase are different. With a gasoline engine you get a lot of moisture and tar and with a diesel the oil becomes acidic and will collect more carbon. It's always best to use an oil specially formulated to the type of engine for optimal life.

As far as zinc goes, all oils rated for gasoline engines have sufficient for any stock low valve spring pressure lifters. No need for extra either by using oil rated for diesel engines nor by adding it.

[Jack E/NJ]

>>>Oops. Any specification on an oil container that starts with C indicates that it is for Compression ignition (diesel). You want those that start with an S (for spark ignition, i.e. gasoline engines.) >>>

OK. But I what I really wanted to know was, what happened to the K in the J, L, & M? 8^)

Jack E/NJ

[paul2748]

In my opinion the use of diesel oil in a gas engine is perfectly ok. My 56 Bird runs on Rotella T 15/40 and I've made two trips from the east coast to the west coast and a lot of other places with no problems. I've had it apart for a reason unrelated to oil and the bearings and everything else looks great.

Another good oil to use is a name brand 10/40 or 20/50 oil

[41LjH]

Looks like I'm a majority of one. I use Rotella "T" in my modified flathead and my 911. I figure the extra zinc is important. No problems so far.

[4dFord/SC]

Once again, the only point on which there seems to be a consensus is that flatheads require oil.

[ford3]

opps, your right i used C in my post, it should have been S

[Bassman/NZ]

Originally Posted by 41LjH

Looks like I'm a majority of one. I use Rotella "T" in my modified flathead and my 911. I figure the extra zinc is important. No problems so far.

I think you'll find Rotella has had the ZDDP level drastically reduced in recent times.

[Fibber Mcgee]

All of the oils listed above are many times better than what was used when these cars were new and most of us are probably changing the oil every 1000 to 2000 miles so I'd bet our engines will be happy with any of the above oils.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

All of the oils listed above are many times better than what was used when these cars were new and most of us are probably changing the oil every 1000 to 2000 miles so I'd bet our engines will be happy with any of the above oils.

This is almost verbatim to my responses to many threads on this subject on this and other forums.

[paul2748]

It was reduced about three years ago. It still has 1,100 or more ppm of ZDDP. At least twice the amount in the oil available in the 60's.

Originally Posted by Bassman/NZ

I think you'll find Rotella has had the ZDDP level drastically reduced in recent times.

[Joe KCMO]

I use the cheapest 40w oil I can find. And everything is fine for 40 years!

[Marv]

Originally Posted by Joe KCMO

I use the cheapest 40w oil I can find. And everything is fine for 40 years!

Sounds like Joe is using OE oil. LOL That oil is probably better than the original oil used in those days.

[RickMcK]

I like the "cheapest I can find answer as that is what I have been doing also. Other than my cylinder head issue everything else seems OK.

[rick r]

use diesel grade 15/40 in my 8ba. No problems in the last 80000 miles.

[Tudorp]

This is what I use in my 53 8BA