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Classic car motor oil

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W

Winston

Jedi Trainee
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I know over the years this subject has been thrashed all about.
I just found an advertisment in Vintage Truck magazine offering "Classis Car Motor Oil".

www.classiccarmotoroil.com
Located in Indianapolis In.
What does everyone think?
 
Sounds like expensive snake oil to me.

I particularly enjoyed this comment :

Q: <span style="font-style: italic">Why should I purchase Classic Car Motor Oil? </span>
A: <span style="font-style: italic">If for no other reason, for the presence of a preservative ... protects bare metal parts from rust. </span>

Wow, imagine that, an oil that protects bare metal from rust! EVERYONE needs some of that!
 
"Classic Car Motor Oil has 1600 PPM of ZDDP, which the chemist at DA Lubricant Company feels is correct."

Are you really going to argue with "the chemist", Randall?!!
 
We like brews.... of all kinds!
 
jdubois said:
Are you really going to argue with "the chemist", Randall?!!
Click to expand...
Why not? My Dad's a PhD chemist, and I argue with him all the time.

Keep in mind, this is only my opinion; but that comment about ZDDP also sounds suspicious to me. MOST engines do not need such high levels, particularly those that are treated as "classic" cars! They are trying to play on car owner's fears, and convince them to pay extra for a product that they don't need.

ZDDP comes into play only when the remainder of the motor oil fails to do it's job, and allows high pressure metal-to-metal contact (IOW the oil film breaks down). Some high performance engines do overstress their oil, particularly modified engines or those used in racing scenarios, but generally it's not a problem with "classic" cars.

Here's a quote from an actual tribologist (expert in oils and lubrication) rather than just a garden variety "chemist":

<span style="font-style: italic">However - and this is the important part to remember - available research shows that more zinc does not give you more protection, it merely prolongs the protection <span style="font-weight: bold">if the rate of metal-to-metal contact is abnormally high or extended</span>. So unless you plan on spending a couple of hours dragging your knee at Laguna Seca, adding extra zinc compounds to your oil is usually a waste. Also, keep in mind that high zinc content can lead to deposit formation on your valves, and spark plug fouling. </span>
(emphasis mine)
 
TR3driver said:
jdubois said:
Are you really going to argue with "the chemist", Randall?!!
Click to expand...
Why not? My Dad's a PhD chemist, and I argue with him all the time.
Click to expand...

I was kidding :smile:

I thought it ridiculous that we were all supposed to believe the claims because "the unnamed chemist" said so.
 
jdubois said:
I was kidding :smile:
Click to expand...
Ah, my mistake then. I wasn't.
grin.gif
 
TR3driver said:
jdubois said:
Are you really going to argue with "the chemist", Randall?!!
Click to expand...
Why not? My Dad's a PhD chemist, and I argue with him all the time.
Click to expand...

Randall is an Engineer but that doesn't keep some of us from arguing with him once in a while. Especially those of us that know several Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and the ones that drive trains too!) :jester:
 
swift6 said:
Randall is an Engineer but that doesn't keep some of us from arguing with him once in a while.
Click to expand...

Last time I argued with Randall, about DOT5 brake fluid, I got my butt handed to me :laugh:
 
My dad is a petrochemical engineer but the last thing that I want to hear is a long conversation about any motor oil.
 
mrv8q said:
We like brews.... of all kinds!
Click to expand...

I like cheese! :smirk:
 
Whenever I get involved in a discussion with/about engineers, I can't help but think of this:

An engineer is said to be someone who knows everything about one thing.

An architect is said to be someone who knows a little about everything.

A contractor is one who starts out knowing everything about everything, but due to his association with architects and engineers, ends up knowing nothing about anything.

~~ <span style="font-style: italic"> Me? I'm just a priest - I don't know nuttin! </span> ~~
 
Is this the same Classic Car Oil that Moss was/is selling?
 
And the definition of expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less; until ultimately he knows everything about nothing.
 
You guys are makin' my head hurt.

I use Valvoline Racing Oil in MGs and Triumphs, lots of racers use it and I know of at least two pro engine builders who recommend it.

My tuppence worth, YMMV.

And no, I'm not an engineer, just an old VA country boy who knows what he knows about LBCs. :lol:
 
:iagree:

I agree with Mark. I started using Valvoline 20/50 VR1 oil last year and like it a lot. I used to be strictly Castrol 20/50 or 10/40, but was overcome by the (marketing) appeal of the VR1's added zinc.

Can I tell the difference? No, but I get to say that I use "racing" oil. :wink:

link: Valvoline VR1

-Gavin
 
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