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ZDDP Oil Additive...

Thanks for the links Randall.

I was surprised by the number of claims against STP listed in the first link. I had not used their products until after the ZDDP issue surfaced in the LBC forums. I am not their advocate, however, unlike their unsubstantiated performance claims from the 1970s through 1990s, composition claims can be verified by chemical analysis. It would not be in their best interest to claim ZDDP is in the product when this could easily be determined by anyone caring to analyze it.

The second link you posted makes a good case for not using additives in general. This could be applied to not just STP but for any oil additive.
 
Right on Randall..I agree that this oil discussion got away.I'll stick with what I've been using for about fifteen years because I know it works....for me anyway.
Had the pan off two years ago and was going to do a bearing job (rods and mains) as well as thrust washers and oil pump. Bought Vandervell bearings and thrusts of all sizes. Took off the main bearing cap with the thrust washers which looked like new and no measurable wear.This after 60,000 plus miles. Put everthing back together with a new oil pump and she's running strong. 80 lbs pressure hot at 3000 rpm and about 30 at idle(1000)rpm with the cam I've got in it
I use Mobile 1 15/50 full synthetic and have since rebuild in about 1991.Mind you oil probably had more ZDDP in those days.Do we worry as much about our daily drivers? I know I don't.
I will never use Rislone either,as I found that if your motor is reasonably dry, it won't be after a few quarts of that in the sump.The capillary action of Rislone will creep out everywhere in time.I pour this into an engine that is going to be sitting a long time as it will capillary everywhere in time.Just set an open can on the shelf for a couple months,it'll creep all around it. Makes a good penetrating oil tho. Use it fairly regular as penetrating oil on the antique tractors and stationary engines i play with Just my 02.5 cents Canadian worth.
 
Brosky said:
Yank,

Delvac is one of three on the list of oils preferred for Flat Tappet Cams from the AERA spec sheet that came with my new cam.
artiejohnson.jpg
 
TR3driver said:
dklawson said:
They confirmed its presence and suggested for small displacement engines that I use STP in the RED bottle. That's cheap and readily available insurance.
OTOH, I've always had a problem with taking advice from people that the FTC says have indulged in fraudulent advertising not just once but multiple times :
https://www.ftc.gov/opa/1995/12/stp.shtm

You might also want to read this; even though it's about a different additive :
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
The problem I see with Bob's little machine is it doesn't represent the real world...no gear box or engine looks like this contraption. When running there aren't any gears running in an oil bath...splashed..yes. Pressure fed...sure.

Lucas is simply a viscosity index improver (my words not theirs) with a little additive package. I've used it in my diesels for a few years. Believe me it isn't all foamy when it comes fresh out of a hot engine.

I'm not saying it good or bad. But this demo doesn't show anything scientific...
 
YankeeTR said:
But this demp dosn'r show anything scientific...
Sure, I won't argue that. But it does look remarkably similar to the device Lucas uses to show how superior their product is. There was one just like it (except hand powered instead of a motor) on the counter next to the display. And oddly enough I've seen that contraption before ... next to a STP display some 35 years ago as I recall.

I'm certainly no lubrication engineer, but I know those guys put a lot of time and effort (a whole career) into getting the formula "just right". The concept that _every_ oil can be improved by adding the same gunk just seems a bit ridiculous to me.
 
Yea, I already sorta figured it out. I am planning to switch to MOBIL 1, I now use VR-1. Great link, and thanks. But, I don't think there are any bad oils, at least in the USA.
 
TR3driver said:
YankeeTR said:
But this demp dosn'r show anything scientific...
Sure, I won't argue that. But it does look remarkably similar to the device Lucas uses to show how superior their product is. There was one just like it (except hand powered instead of a motor) on the counter next to the display. And oddly enough I've seen that contraption before ... next to a STP display some 35 years ago as I recall.

I'm certainly no lubrication engineer, but I know those guys put a lot of time and effort (a whole career) into getting the formula "just right". The concept that _every_ oil can be improved by adding the same gunk just seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Agreed...but I use oil analysis at every oil change. I know from the #'s that my oil is better at 50,000 miles with the Lucas tha it is without it. I'm not sure why but the additive package is still ready for even more miles. I've tried several different oils in my engines and have found that Delvac and Pennzoil Long Life have better numbers at 10,000 and 50,000 miles than Rotella and Delo. And my oil consumption is much lower when using the Lucas (no doubt because it's making the oil thicker).

Im a BIG believer in synthetics (I like di-ester based oils) but I've always had a tough time shelling out the $$$ for them when filling an 11 gallon oil pan! Especially when I can get very good service from mineral oils. And my trucks have all been high mileage units... I don't feel bad about using the "cheap stuff" in them.

Now I'm not saying your foolish for not using it...I don't use any additives in my daily drivers. But the Lucas has done well for me...and I know dozens of ther owner operators that have used it for years with good results. My CAT engine has almost 1,000,000 miles on it since it was majored at 600,000 miles... I did put in rods and mains and one cylinder liner kit in it at 1,300,000.
 
swift6 said:
And I believe its a synthetic...

From the Canley Classics web site:

"Engine Life (Especially Spitfire 1500s) From our own experience we have one major recommendation to make to reduce the maintenence and prolong the life of any Triumph engine - use Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil. Once the engine has been run in and all leaks have been attended to, put Mobil 1 in and off you go fo 20,000 miles between oil changes. Wonderful stuff!"

They use their Triumphs as daily cars and tend to know what they are talking about.

As for the Castrol my feeling is that they are just taking advantage of publicity. There are other equally competent additives but somehow there is a fascination with ZDDP.
 
Hoop-di-do;Just bought a 4oz bottle of "ZDDP PLUS"from Moss.
Transhipped via Toledo to Ohio from California.Go figure
BUT they have after a search:The best S&H $7.45 UPS Gr.
WhiteLightning soon gets its Spring oil change.Gonna AGAIN use Quaker State w/Slick50(20/50)with 'ZDDP'.,Again using my oil filter magnetic strap & magnetic oil plug.Been driving her off & on on nice days ALL WINTER,So far so good.
She's a hoot.
Ken
 
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