Classic Car Motor Oil

[L78 steve]

All I can say John is I had a factory L78 cam go out on Rotella. I no longer trust it.

[TODD]

My engine builder recommended Joe Gibbs 10W30 with High Zinc Formulation @ 1200 ppm.
I'm running that with zero problems through cam break-in.

[joesauer]

Ditto on the Joe Gibbs "Driven Logo" motor oil.  My car (350 crate) does not like synthetics, but has run great on Joe Gibb's stuff for several years.  Get seal leaks with synthetic.

[bcmiller]

All I can say John is I had a factory L78 cam go out on Rotella. I no longer trust it.

Stock GM cam, stock lifters and stock valve springs? 

[rsr]

I've had good luck with Gibb break in oil but trust Brad Penn for my higher RPM engines!

[L78 steve]

All I can say John is I had a factory L78 cam go out on Rotella. I no longer trust it.

Stock GM cam, stock lifters and stock valve springs? 

100% stock. 15k mile early take out L78 for a 454. The engine was disassembled checked out new rings and bearings, cam smeared with moly. Lifters installed in the same holes, pre-lubed. At 100 miles I did a valve adjustment and noticed 3 push rods were not spinning. Cam lobes looked pitted. Caught it early, no other damage.

[bcmiller]

Damn.  Sorry to hear that Steve.  And it is the first that I have heard of something like that using Rotella.  Do you remember was it 10-30 ?

[L78 steve]

Damn.  Sorry to hear that Steve.  And it is the first that I have heard of something like that using Rotella.  Do you remember was it 10-30 ?

It was the 15W-40. It may not have been the cause but since I heard they lowered the Zinc level I assumed it was the reason. John Z stated they have not lowered it.
I'm running the Crane spec. cam now with air cooled engine oil with no problems yet.

[JohnZ]

John Z stated they have not lowered it.

Back when Rotella (and the other diesel oils) carried the old CI-4 service rating, they tested around 1300ppm zinc/phos. When CI-4 was superseded by the new CJ-4 formulation and  rating about ten years ago, the zinc/phos. content was reduced to 1200ppm. Conventional passenger car/light truck "SM" oils are limited to 800ppm zinc/phos., to protect catalytic converters.

[janobyte]

http://lucasoil.com/images/documents/Zinc_Values_MotorcycleOil.pdf

[dannystarr]

I have been using the Lucas oil #049807106836. What is the Zinc content of this oil?
Car sat since '86. After getting it going I have changed the oil 6 times in the 1,200 miles I have put on it. I guess it's ok.. All stock, engine never apart... Danny

HOT ROD & CLASSIC CAR OIL
10687 SAE 10W-30 2,100
10688 SAE 10W-40 2,100
10689 SAE 20W-50 2,100

[69Z28-RS]

I think you may have become addicted to 'changing your oil', Danny....  Have you considered an AA group? 

[L78 steve]

I have been using the Lucas oil #049807106836. What is the Zinc content of this oil?
Car sat since '86. After getting it going I have changed the oil 6 times in the 1,200 miles I have put on it. I guess it's ok.. All stock, engine never apart... Danny

HOT ROD & CLASSIC CAR OIL
10687 SAE 10W-30 2,100
10688 SAE 10W-40 2,100
10689 SAE 20W-50 2,100

Can I have your old oil?

[dannystarr]

   Actually belief it or not, the oil usage has dropped, and the oil is now a lot less discolored between changes. I will change it a couple more times at 500 mile increments and then see what it looks like. I may then be able to let it go 2 or 3 thousand. Also ya gotta remember my crankcase and oil pan was saturated with fuel.... Danny

[L78 steve]

  Actually belief it or not, the oil usage has dropped, and the oil is now a lot less discolored between changes. I will change it a couple more times at 500 mile increments and then see what it looks like. I may then be able to let it go 2 or 3 thousand. Also ya gotta remember my crankcase and oil pan was saturated with fuel.... Danny

This is due to parts seating in, Less blowby. Pull some hills and get some heat into it then decel and flood with oil.