What type of oil?

[MY66AH]

Since we got the Sprite up and going in '83 We've always ran 30 weight in the engine and trans mission. We'll I plan on rebuilding the motor this winter and I want to know what would be the best oil for the motor AND what should go in the tranny? Thnaks for the help.

 

[Gerard]

Probably 10w-40 for your climate, but make sure you use a brand with an adequate amount of ZDDP, which has been reduced in most oils. Two that good for these old tappet engines are Valvoline VR1 and Chevron Delo 400. 30w is fine for the gearbox, but you can also use the same oil you put in the engine.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I second Valvoline VR1.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Hap, VRI Racing or Synthetic.

 

[billspit]

Hap you need to become a dealer for Brad Penn or Joe Gibbs oil.

 

[Spridget64SC]

Most of the box stores will carry the Valvoline VR-1 in the usual weights. Most likely, it will be the racing version in either type (original "out of the ground" or manufactured synthetic). Either way, make sure it is indeed the type with ~1200 PPM Zinc and Phosphate. VR-1 in the silver bottle with "VR-1 Racing" on the front label is what I prefer to use.

PS: Joe Gibbs products are available in the Sparkle City area at Clements machine over on business 85.

HTH,
Mike Miller

 

[billspit]

PS: Joe Gibbs products are available in the Sparkle City area at Clements machine over on business 85.

HTH,
Mike Miller

I'm not familiar with this facility. I'll have to look them up. Our company is on Business 85.

EDit

Just looked and they are less than 1/2 mile from our office. They build big motors, that's why I wasn't familiar with them.

 

[Spridget64SC]

They are primarily involved with big Detroit iron. Lots of NASCAR, ARCA and roundy-round stuff. The transporter outside holds Jeremy Clements Nationwide car. But, they do know their way around a british engine. They are capable of doing all the machining operations on the small stuff too.

I do my A-Series engine dyno'n up near Herron Circle at Mandeville Auto Tech. The dyno room is not 100' from I-85B. MAT is best known for Mazda's, but the owner raced a Spitfire back in his youth. He knows his way around a Brit car and SU's as well.

Take care,
Mike

 

[nomad]

Well the main concern in the midwest is summer heat. I don't imagine that nice sprite lived this long by being driven in the cold and nasty. I've always run 20-50 Castrol and I guess I only hope it still has enough zddp. I believe it does. In the trans I've always ran straight 50wt. Doesn't leak out as fast and I think it gives me just the right shift. May have to special order it now though. I bought it last in 5 gal pail.

Kurt.

 

[MY66AH]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Spridget64SC]

Took a look at the Castrol GTX MSDS sheet from their website today and it looks like the ZDDP can vary from 670ppm to 1333ppm. Low end not so good, top end just fine. The only problem is knowing which end your batch of oil came from. Stick with something that gives you a better ZDDP number like Valvoline VR-1 or one of the specialty oils like Brad Penn, Joe Gibbs, Royal Purple or the like. These guys will tell you exactly what is in the oil and you can pour with confidence.

I'm going to open an old 12V 1275 engine (72ish to 74) over the next couple of weeks for prep into an SCCA LPHP type race engine for a customer going to driver's school in February at Roebling Road. If some of the lifters look like what I expect them to, I'll post a picture of why us LBC afficianados need to worry about our flat tappet cams, good lubricants and keeping the oil changed at a proper interval.

Thanks,
Mike Miller

 

[nomad]

Geez Mike, I've been using that oil for over 40 years. Now it sounds like they have lowered there standards like so many. I believe its going to be a little more difficult for me to find the oils you recommend. I'll have to ask around.

Kurt.

 

[billspit]

Nobody had mentioned, but does mototrcycle oil contain ZDDP at the right coccentration. I've seen it availabe at Advance Auto with the desired rating on the label. Somebody used to say Yamalube was good.

 

[Westfield_XI]

Brad Penn Rocks!! I use it in the BBC in my boat and my A-series.

 

[TulsaFred]

Heres a good link
https://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-tech-performance/2484100-list-of-flat-tappet-oils.html

I use mobile 1 15w-50 synthetic

 

[Spridget64SC]

Great link and a good perspective. Verify the chemistry of whatever lubricant meets your fancy. If the lubricant claims to be SM or SN rated as shown on the label, the ZDDP is going to be around 800ppm.

Mike

 

[jlaird]

I have run Castrol for well over 30 years in BEs. Never a problem. The 20-50 is what I am useing in Miss Agatha, she says it tastes just fine.

However, many many years ago it sure smelled a lot better. LOL

 

[red79]

I run a few old mopars with agressive flat tappets and always check this website before buying batches of oil:

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

He runs independent tests on all oil currently on the market, as well as routinely repeating them to catch when the manufacturers change the formulas. Check out the passenger & racing forum for some great info.

Unfortunately, modern cars with their roller cams don't need the zinc content to protect them like classics. This has lead manufacturers to phase out these compounds for environmental, emissions, and cost reasons. So it's important to know what's in your engine's blood or you'll end up with a flat cam!

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Nobody had mentioned, but does mototrcycle oil contain ZDDP at the right coccentration. I've seen it availabe at Advance Auto with the desired rating on the label. Somebody used to say Yamalube was good.

Most motorcycle oils have the correct 1200 ppm of ZDDP for flat tappet engines, but for us in this area it is just too easy to go the local Advanced Auto Parts and buy Vavoline VR1, thats where I get mine, I run in both the street and race engines.

 

[JPSmit]

Nobody had mentioned, but does mototrcycle oil contain ZDDP at the right coccentration. I've seen it availabe at Advance Auto with the desired rating on the label. Somebody used to say Yamalube was good.

I use motorcycle oil in Ms Triss - so far so good.

I'm told diesel oil is good too.