Welcome to the List. Yes, it's a rehash, but it's a slow news day.
The consensus now is that most 20W-50 oils probably have (just) enough
ZDDP for our flat tappet valve trains (although some manufacturers may
have cut back the amount from earlier formulations). There aren't any
modern, catalytic converter-equipped cars that use such a heavy
oil--most use 5W-30 or 10W-30 and some Hondas and Fords use 5W-20--so
20W-50 was apparently exempted from the new regs (or simply overlooked).
Valvoline Racing Oil--the 'street legal' version--probably has enough
ZDDP that you could use it straight, without any additive. You'll want
to change your oil at least once a year regardless of how much/often you
drive your car, so you could put in 12 of 16ozs of the additive when you
change the oil, then the other 4oz when you add a qt. (assuming the
additive comes in pint bottles). Or just dump it all in when you change
the oil and don't worry about it. Or just use the Valvoline and don't
worry about it.
A quart every 3-400 miles is a bit much, even for a Healey. Are you
burning it, or just marking your territory?
bs
Greg Mandas wrote:
> As the newbie on the list I think I'm heading into another
>controversy/rehash, but speaking of oil and ZDDP....
>
> I've owned my car one year. I've driven it around 800 (est) miles. I did one
>oil change when I first got it on the road last summer at which time I mixed
>in prescribed amount of ZDDP adaptive. I burn/loose about a quart every 3-400
>(est) miles at which time I add a quart of Valvoline Racing oil which has ZDDP.
>
> Does Valvoline Racing oil have enough ZDDP?
> Should I mix in some additive with every quart?
> Am I missing something?
>
> Greg
>
>
*******************************************************************
Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell@comcast.net
*******************************************************************
_______________________________________________
Healeys@autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.75
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
|