Motor Oil For Flat Tappet Engines

[awoodc]

Our 1960's engines with flat tappets and solid lifters are probably not getting proper lubrication with today's motor oils. The reason is that zinc and phosphorus levels have been drastically reduced because they can foul catalytic converters. These chemicals formerly acted as a "cushion" between moving parts. I was at a speed shop near the Pomona Raceway last week and the owner told me that he has seen an increase in 1960's cars losing their cams due to premature wear.
You are welcome to look at ebay item 150539503774 to see if you want to start using oil with the correct amounts of ZDDP.
Let's have some comments - good or bad!

Allan
'66 red

 

[mike_israel]

The zddp issue is certainly a very real concern for older engines.

I have never heard of the Fisher brand of oil?? Valvoline's VR1 is a high quality standard oil that is 1300 ppm zddp and is available at most auto parts stores. If you prefer Synthetic I believe both amsoil and Redline offer zddp enhanced oils and I am sure the exact specs are available.

Lots of good info on the web including::
http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm

 

[bkahler]

Allan,

Brad Penn sells very good oil for these engines. We use the 30w Brad Penn
break-in oil for new engines and their 20w50 oil after break in. The oil is
blended for flat tappet engines. Been using it in Susan's Spitfire race
engine (1300) for several years and we're quite happy with it.

Brad


On Sun, Dec 26, 2010 at 5:33 PM, awoodc <>wrote:

> Our 1960's engines with flat tappets and solid lifters are probably not
> getting proper lubrication with today's motor oils. The reason is that zinc
> and phosphorus levels have been drastically reduced because they can foul
> catalytic converters. These chemicals formerly acted as a "cushion" between
> moving parts. I was at a speed shop near the Pomona Raceway last week and
> the owner told me that he has seen an increase in 1960's cars losing their
> cams due to premature wear.
> You are welcome to look at ebay item 150539503774 to see if you want to
> start using oil with the correct amounts of ZDDP.
> Let's have some comments - good or bad!
>
> Allan
> '66 red
>
>
>

 

[SplitPersonality]

Regarding the ZDDP subject in the formulation of motor oil, Amsoil now has
a product with Zinc in the formulation. I do not know if this corresponds
to the ZDDP requirement or not. Bilgey - can you enlighten us on this
matter ? Vic Nelson with the "Split Personality"


In a message dated 12/26/2010 5:37:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

Our 1960's engines with flat tappets and solid lifters are probably not
getting proper lubrication with today's motor oils. The reason is that zinc
and phosphorus levels have been drastically reduced because they can foul
catalytic converters. These chemicals formerly acted as a "cushion" between
moving parts. I was at a speed shop near the Pomona Raceway last week and
the owner told me that he has seen an increase in 1960's cars losing their
cams due to premature wear.
You are welcome to look at ebay item 150539503774 to see if you want to
start using oil with the correct amounts of ZDDP.
Let's have some comments - good or bad!

Allan
'66 red

 

[SplitPersonality]

It is quite certain that the ZDDP subject is important, but it is hard to
know how much credibility to put on an e-mail without any signature to
provide the reader with some knowledge of the sender's experience and
knowledge. Knowing who provides the information or advice gives one some chance of
assessing how worthwhile the information may be. Victor Nelson



In a message dated 12/26/2010 8:02:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

The zddp issue is certainly a very real concern for older engines.

I have never heard of the Fisher brand of oil?? Valvoline's VR1 is a high
quality standard oil that is 1300 ppm zddp and is available at most auto
parts stores. If you prefer Synthetic I believe both amsoil and Redline offer
zddp enhanced oils and I am sure the exact specs are available.

Lots of good info on the web including::
_http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm_ (http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm)