• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Let’s talk motor oils

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
I read the article about oils & zip in the latest Austin Healey Magazine and now I’m a little confused(it doesn’t take much to confuse me) and I google Mobil 1 and Valvoline racing oil for street/track.

i had my camshaft regrouped by Elgin in 2012 andDema sentme a Mobil oil spec sheet with Mobil 1 15w-50 circled. ((I will scan and post later). It shows Phosphorus level at 1200 and Zinc at 1300.
tge sheet is dated 5/27/2010. i am posting Mobil and Valvoline spec sheets.
thoughts on oil today that we can buy?
 

Attachments

  • E9F02E4F-BBAD-47F7-9248-3A20769EB330.jpg
    E9F02E4F-BBAD-47F7-9248-3A20769EB330.jpg
    51.5 KB · Views: 70
  • B2889D92-4621-4ED7-ABE1-163F51C02771.jpg
    B2889D92-4621-4ED7-ABE1-163F51C02771.jpg
    49.2 KB · Views: 67
  • 765A589D-ECA3-4DB9-8EC0-1658EE7CA703.jpg
    765A589D-ECA3-4DB9-8EC0-1658EE7CA703.jpg
    51.9 KB · Views: 71
  • 761F546A-A43B-4F2E-BE47-85D065D4CAD1.jpg
    761F546A-A43B-4F2E-BE47-85D065D4CAD1.jpg
    43.7 KB · Views: 68
  • 0AC1192B-76DD-4224-AA19-780B98A4627A.jpg
    0AC1192B-76DD-4224-AA19-780B98A4627A.jpg
    39.4 KB · Views: 63
OP
Patrick67BJ8

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
I read the article about oils & zip in the latest Austin Healey Magazine and now I’m a little confused(it doesn’t take much to confuse me) and I google Mobil 1 and Valvoline racing oil for street/track.

i had my camshaft regrouped by Elgin in 2012 andDema sentme a Mobil oil spec sheet with Mobil 1 15w-50 circled. ((I will scan and post later). It shows Phosphorus level at 1200 and Zinc at 1300.
tge sheet is dated 5/27/2010. i am posting Mobil and Valvoline spec sheets.
thoughts on oil today that we can buy?
More info.
 

Attachments

  • 04AE831A-C4ED-49BB-BC78-8431F335849C.jpg
    04AE831A-C4ED-49BB-BC78-8431F335849C.jpg
    52.2 KB · Views: 48
  • EDF95599-0F8E-494F-B811-D767E04B002A.jpg
    EDF95599-0F8E-494F-B811-D767E04B002A.jpg
    49.2 KB · Views: 45
  • CA54B139-5838-4AAE-9205-D54A0B4D2984.jpg
    CA54B139-5838-4AAE-9205-D54A0B4D2984.jpg
    38.4 KB · Views: 45
  • 63DDF658-45F8-4337-8AC0-9844372EEB32.jpg
    63DDF658-45F8-4337-8AC0-9844372EEB32.jpg
    39.7 KB · Views: 51

dcarlg

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
You may want to read the info at 540ratblog.wordpress.com
Mobil 1 0W40 is among his highest rated (5), in the 'Fantastic' category. 1000 ppm zinc.
Valvoline VR1 10W30 (41) is rated 'Outstanding'. 1472 ppm zinc.
Castrol GTX 20W50 (63) is also rated 'Outstanding'. 610 ppm Zinc.
 
Last edited:

Keoke

Great Pumpkin
Country flag
Offline
Been using single viscosity VR1 since day one no problems
 
Last edited:

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
I've noticed the Valvoline data sometimes contradicts itself; sometimes saying it's OK for 'conventional'--presumably, street--use and other times implying it's for racing only. FWIW, I put over 5K miles on VR1 20W-50 and had it analyzed. My builder recommended it, and I'd added a bottle of GM EOS, again with approval of the builder.

Oil_Analysis-08_18_17-page-001.jpg
 

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Bob - Can you interpret the data for us: is that a really good report?

Other than the first 500 miles on Joe Gibbs 15w-50 Break-in oil, I've got 3000+ miles on VR-1 20w-50 since my rebuild last summer.
 

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
These are their comments (they seem to think the engine was new, I think there was some miscommunication):

"BOB: This is more sodium than we usually see out of Valvoline VR1 oil, but it's actually pretty common for
the oil from the factory to look a little different from the same oil you'd get off the shelf. Sodium is normal,
and so is silicon: it's from sealers and sand-casted parts used at assembly, and that will wash out with time.
Usually new engines have more metal in the oil than this, from new parts wearing in, but your metals really
look quite good at this point. You'll probably find a bit less iron, copper and lead next time. The TBN is very
strong. Try 7,500 miles next time."
 

DerekJ

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
A discussion on oil! That's a new one :excitement:

I studied this to death about two years ago and came to the conclusion that modern synthetic oils are definitely better than mineral oils even in older vehicles. I settled on Mobil 1 10W-60 Motorsport Formula which also has high ZDDP levels. The 10W also helps with easier starting.
 
OP
Patrick67BJ8

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Bob - Can you interpret the data for us: is that a really good report?

Other than the first 500 miles on Joe Gibbs 15w-50 Break-in oil, I've got 3000+ miles on VR-1 20w-50 since my rebuild last summer.
I did excactly the same thing you did for my new engine, but after reading that newsletter story I became concerned.
 
OP
Patrick67BJ8

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
This is the "sheet" for Oil info I was given by Elgin Cams in 2012 when they did my BJ8 Camshaft and Lifters.
 

Attachments

  • Mobil 1 Engine Oils.PDF
    466.7 KB · Views: 74

dcarlg

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
It's nice to find objective data and useful comparisons to base important decisions on.
540ratblog rated Valvoline VR1 very high, but he only tested 10W30 conventional (silver bottle). Castrol 20W50 GTX did well, too.
All of the "break-in" oils rated poorly. I will avoid them.
I filled my rebuilt BJ8 motor with Mobil 1 0W40 FS European Car Formula.
 

HealeyRick

Yoda
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Just to add some more grist to the mill. One of our Austin-Healey Club of New England members contacted Valvoline directly after reading the Austin-Healey Magazine article and received this reply:

[FONT=&quot]"Valvoline VR-1 Racing Oil 20W-50 was recently relabeled with the API SN service category in order to remain compliant for sale in the state of California. The formulation of this product did not change as a result, and it still contains the same 1,400 ppm zinc that it did in the past. We have attached a copy of our product information sheet which reflects this information. "



[/FONT]
 

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
... "Valvoline VR-1 Racing Oil 20W-50 was recently relabeled with the API SN service category in order to remain compliant for sale in the state of California. The formulation of this product did not change as a result, and it still contains the same 1,400 ppm zinc that it did in the past. We have attached a copy of our product information sheet which reflects this information. "

Likely the reason it seemed to disappear from parts store shelves for a while here in California. My local store said they yanked it off the shelves, but the counter guy didn't know why.

In the Austin Healey Magazine article--I'm still packed-up from a move and don't have it handy--the author misspelled diesel--as 'diesle,' IIRC--not once, but twice. That lessened his credibility, IMO (call me A-R, but you ought to know how to spell what you're lecturing about, esp. with spelling correction in most text processors). He also happens to sell the oil he recommends--a 'classic' oil--without mentioning other classic oils--from Hemmings, Penrite and others--which are likely just as good (and possibly made in the same lab/refinery, like gas sans additives).

I AM a bit concerned that excess zinc and phosphorous could be corrosive. I may have overdone it adding EOS to the first couple of changes, and the break-in oils typically have something like 4,000 PPM so I wouldn't want to run it for long.

Oh, and 540rat's conclusions are hotly disputed on the interwebs.
 

dcarlg

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
Oh, and 540rat's conclusions are hotly disputed on the interwebs.[/QUOTE]

Well, I don't really have a horse in this race, but generally, I value facts and data over opinions and anecdotes.
A few typos can be tolerated when someone is sharing his hobby with the internet universe.
Since I'm becoming more of a belt and suspenders guy, I looked at both zinc content (ppm) and resistance to pressure (psi) before selecting an oil.
I'm not an engineer, so I really don't understand how break-in oil allows piston rings to bed in, but prevents cam and lifter wear.
Maybe we need the myth busters here.
 

MarkP

Senior Member
Offline
Reference article, for now:

Castrol CLASSIC ENGINE OILS
WHY USE CLASSIC OILS ?

The Land Rover Rover-V8 (Buick 215) community leans towards Rotella T. The engine is a relatively old flat tappet design.

As always the issue is the moving target of oil specs.
 
OP
Patrick67BJ8

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
If the 20w-50 VR1 racing oil , “non synthetic” hasn’t changed would the Mobil 15w-50 synthetic be better?
 

dcarlg

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
Well, I don't pretend to be an expert. Just trying to make good evidence-based decisions.
Mobil 1 15W50 has 1133 ppm zinc, but is rated merely 'Good' (#175) by 540ratblog's tests. There seem to be better choices.
Valvoline VR1 20W50 conventional has 1400 ppm zinc, but seems not to have been tested by 540ratblog.
Valvoline VR1 10W30 rated 'Outstanding' (#41) and has 1472 ppm zinc.
Hard to make assumptions.
He occasionally accepts oil to test.
 

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Oh, and 540rat's conclusions are hotly disputed on the interwebs.
...A few typos can be tolerated when someone is sharing his hobby with the internet universe.

I was referring to the article in Austin Healey Magazine, to wit:

"In the Austin Healey Magazine article--I'm still packed-up from a move and don't have it handy--the author misspelled diesel--as 'diesle,' IIRC--not once, but twice."

Sorry if this wasn't clear enough. This fellow wrote something which, to all appearances, was a definitive screed on the suitability of contemporary motor oils for use in our Healeys, while plugging an oil he happens to sell (if he'd mentioned the other 'classic' oils available I would have been OK with that). I'm a born skeptic, so if someone is trying to preach to me I do note any mistakes, inaccuracies and, yes, misspellings which generally adds to my skepticism of their sermon. We all fat-finger a spelling now and then, but twice in the same article is a pattern. And, for what it's worth, he also declared Rotella as unsuitable for Healeys.

As far as 540rat's research, I personally find it useful and slightly above anecdotal but not definitive. I remember (barely) an article I read in Light Plane Maintenance many years ago where they scrutinized various oils--synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral--using industry-accepted tests for wear, corrosion resistance, etc. and provided data and photographs to substantiate their conclusions. I accepted that due to the diligence they obviously applied to their research (and also to the fact that that magazine did not accept advertising nor did they generally endorse specific products). I also trust my engine builder, as they've been at it for a while, and experience counts in my book.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
R TR2/3/3A Let's talk seats Triumph 27
J General TR Let's Talk Timing a TR2/3/4 for Performance. Triumph 6
T let's talk paint jobs Austin Healey 2
T Let's talk spring pans for Disc brakes Spridgets 4
T Let's talk tropical fans... Triumph 1
T So let's talk paint colors... Triumph 39
T Let's talk acid Triumph 11
T So let's talk about powder coating Spridgets 17
T OT - let's talk about car control Triumph 20
QuickSilver Let's Talk Tail Lights MG 7
T Let's talk about stainless steel brake lines... Triumph 4
T TR6 Let's talk TR6 door gaps! Triumph 20
J So let's talk brake lines Triumph 16
Atrus Let's talk towing a spridget! Spridgets 10
2wrench TR6 '74 TR6. Let's talk about disconnecting smog stuf Triumph 29
2wrench Let's talk about the dreaded thrust washer wear. Triumph 8
Atrus Let's talk oil leaks ;-] Spridgets 16
B MGB while driving engine cuts out if I let off or push more throttle it comes right back on MG 5
George Zeck Thanks ALL - time for me to let go...... Spridgets 5
Griz Universal joint let go Austin Healey 15
Gliderman8 General TR Let there be [LED] light! Triumph 18
healeydan For Sale LIKE NEW '63 BJ7 Restored to Original ** Hate to Let It Go ** $59,900 Austin Healey Classifieds 4
Rut TR4/4A Let the search begin Triumph 9
JPSmit Let's take up a collection Spridgets 4
J Starter works fine but car catches after you let off on the starter Austin Healey 14
Lukens TR2/3/3A Randall, let's try this Triumph 4
JPSmit I accidently let the smoke out Restoration & Tools 5
J Found an E Type in a Barn. Bought it. Let's Make it Run Jaguar 15
J TR2/3/3A Hooked up the Headlights and let the smoke out!!! Triumph 4
Lukens TR2/3/3A Let's see if I'm still having the 'Britishcar forum not responding" problem Triumph 3
D T-Series Let's play "What kind of transmission does this go in?" MG 1
Trevor Jessie I let the smoke out of the welder Spridgets 10
drooartz Let's just say I'd be interested if you found one Spridgets 27
Lukens Well the Big Day arrived. Let the questions begin Triumph 9
T Stag Don't let the Triumph Stag lose! Please! Triumph 11
JodyFKerr Wedge I might have let the smoke out [TR8] Triumph 25
lbc_newbie Let's play.."What's my car worth" Spridgets 13
CinneaghTR Let's Play "Name That Part!"-Sidescreen TR Triumph 10
Mickey Richaud Let the Drooling Begin! Other Cars 11
L Let me know if you need this Spridgets 2
jdubois Don't let this one get away! Spridgets 14
drooartz Progress: let there be light! Spridgets 13
Morris My wife won't let me buy this... Spridgets 5
HerronScott Let it snow.... Triumph 27
C I said let there be light, and there was NO light Spridgets 16
bmurphy7369 Let's Help Basil with Recent Cost Issues, Ideas... Austin Healey 0
bmurphy7369 Let's Help Basil with Recent Cost Issues, Ideas... Spridgets 0
bmurphy7369 Let's Help Basil with Recent Cost Issues, Ideas... Triumph 0
Brosky Let there be light.......... Triumph 14
jhorton3 Let The Fun Begin! Spridgets 5

Similar threads

Top