Guys,
Was catching up on reading the MG digests and saw a lot of discussion on
oils for MGs and older cars. Below is an article that appeared in MG
OCTAGON on oils. I have no association with or interest in FPP, Inc.
Skip '74 B
Upkeep and Performance Hints
Motor Oils Are Not What They Used to Be
by Keith Ausell
About a year ago I read about the reduction of
zinc-diallkyl-dithiophosphate (zDDP) in the oils supplied with API
approval that could affect sliding and high pressure (EP) friction in
our cars. The reduction of these chemicals in supplied oil was based on
the fact that zinc, manganese and/or phosphates reduce the effectiveness
and eventually damage catalytic converters and introduce minute amounts
of pollutants into our atmosphere.
A month or so ago I had a member of the Columbia Gorge MG Club bring a
totally failed camshaft and lifters back to me that had only 900 miles
on them!! I immediately contacted the camshaft re-grinder and asked how
this could happen. They were well aware of this problem as they were
starting to have many failures of this type. In the past, the lack of a
molybdenum disulfide camshaft assembly lubricant was about the only
thing that could create this type of problem. My customer has assembled
many engines and had lubricated the camshaft properly. This got me on
the phone to Delta Camshaft, one of our major suppliers. Then the bad
news came out: It's today's "modern" API (American Petroleum Industry)
approved oils that are killing our engines.
Next call: To a racing oil manufacturer that we use for the race cars
(Redline). Their response: "We are well aware of the problem and we
still use the correct amounts of those additives in our products". They
continued to tell me they are not producing API approved oils so they
don't have to test and comply. Their oils were NOT the "new, improved
and approved" ones that destroy flat tappet engines! "We just build the
best lubricants possible". Sounds stupid, doesn't it, New-Approved but
inferior products, but it seems to be true for our cars.
To top this off our representative from a major supplier of performance
and street engine parts (EPWI) stopped by to "warn us" of the problem of
the NEW oils on flat tappet engines. This was a call that the
representative was making only because of this problem to warn their
engine builders! "The reduction of the zinc, manganese and phosphates
are causing very early destruction of cams and followers". They are
recommending that, for now at least. There must be a proper oil additive
put in the first oil used on new engines, beyond the liberal use of
molydisulfide assembly lube. They have been told that the first oil is
the time the additives are needed but remain skeptical that the first
change is all that is needed by their statement: Use diesel rated oils
that are usually available at auto stores and truck stops.
Next phone call was to a retired engineer from Clevite, a major bearing
and component manufacturer. First surprise was that he restored older
British Motor bikes. The second surprise was that he was "VERY-aware of
this problem because many of the old bikes had rectangular tappets that
couldn't rotate and are having a very large problem with the new oils.
He has written an article for the British Bike community that verify all
the "bad news" we have been finding.
Comp Cams put out "#225 Tech Bulletin: Flat Tappet Camshafts". They have
both an assembly lube and an oil additive. The telling sentence in the
bulletin was "While this additive was originally developed specifically
for break-in protection subsequent testing has proven the durability
benefits of its long term use. This special blend of additives promotes
proper break-in and protects against premature cam and lifter failure by
replacing some of the beneficial ingredients that the oil companies have
been required to remove from their "shelf oil ".
Next question: Now what do we do? From the camshaft re-grinders
(DeltaCam) "Use oils rated for diesel use". Delco (Standard Oil product)
was named. About the same price as other quality petroleum based oils.
They are not API formulated and have the zinc dithiophosphate we need in
weights we are familiar with. From the camshaft manufacturer (Crane):
"use our additive" for the first 500 miles. From General Motors
(Chevrolet): add EOS, their oil fortifier to your oil, it's only about
$14.00 for each oil change for an 8 ounce can. (This problem seems to be
something GM has known about for some time!)
>From Redline Oil: Use our street formulated synthetics. They have what
we need! From Castrol: We are beginning to see a pattern emerging on
older cars. It may he advantageous to use a non-approved lubricant, such
as oils that are Diesel rated, 4 Cycle Motorcycle oils and other
specified diesel oils.
Last question: So what are we at Foreign Parts Positively going to do?
After much research we are switching to Redline Street rated oils and
stocking the Castrol Products that are diesel rated. This is a difficult
decision as we have been a dealer and great believer in all Castrol
Products for over 40 years. We have been using Castro! Syntech oil in
new engines for about 3 years so the cost difference is minimal on new
engines. The actual cost in operation is also less as the additive
package in Redline makes a 1-year or up to 18,000 mile change
recommended!
Yes it is a long change interval but with lowered sulfur levels and the
elimination of lead and many other chemicals in the fuels there are less
contaminants in our oil from the fuel which is the major contributor to
oil degradation. We will continue to offer the Castrol products but will
now only stock the suggested diesel oils that they produce.
Too many things are starting to show up on this subject and it has cost
us money and time. Be aware that "New and Improved"', or even products
we have been using for many years destroys our cars as it isn't the same
stuff we were getting even a year ago.
If you have any additional input let us know. We need to let every flat
tappet engine owner. i.e.: every British Car owner know that things are
changing and we MUST meet the challenge.
Keith Ansell - President Foreign Parts Positively Inc.
www.ForeignPartsPositively.com <http://www.foreignpartspositively.com/>
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