Engine oil recommendations
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 559
Likes: 4
From: Australian Outback
Since 2000, petrol engines have been made better and designed differently, and oils have changed to suit. Diesel oils now contain a lot better additive package for older vehicles than the petrol-engine oils.
So... use diesel oils in your older vehicles!
- boingk
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 48
From: Great American SouthWest
In a nutshell, modern cars have exhaust devices called catalytic converters. Zinc and phosphorus in the oil help to lubricate and protect engine parts under heavy load. However, a little of the oil gets into the exhaust via engine wear, and the zinc and phosphorus ruin the catalytic converter.
Oils designed for Diesel engines tend to have more zinc and phosphorus, and should be better for our old engines. However, these oils are also being re formulated with less zinc and phosphorus. Also because diesel is hugely dirty, these oils have extra cleaning agents, which may not be so good for our trucks.
Hope this helps!
Oils designed for Diesel engines tend to have more zinc and phosphorus, and should be better for our old engines. However, these oils are also being re formulated with less zinc and phosphorus. Also because diesel is hugely dirty, these oils have extra cleaning agents, which may not be so good for our trucks.
Hope this helps!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Diesels aren't clean and need more additives to help keep contaminants in the oil, or they will stick to the inside of the engine and cause problems.
Since 2000, petrol engines have been made better and designed differently, and oils have changed to suit. Diesel oils now contain a lot better additive package for older vehicles than the petrol-engine oils.
So... use diesel oils in your older vehicles!
- boingk
Since 2000, petrol engines have been made better and designed differently, and oils have changed to suit. Diesel oils now contain a lot better additive package for older vehicles than the petrol-engine oils.
So... use diesel oils in your older vehicles!
- boingk
In a nutshell, modern cars have exhaust devices called catalytic converters. Zinc and phosphorus in the oil help to lubricate and protect engine parts under heavy load. However, a little of the oil gets into the exhaust via engine wear, and the zinc and phosphorus ruin the catalytic converter.
Oils designed for Diesel engines tend to have more zinc and phosphorus, and should be better for our old engines. However, these oils are also being re formulated with less zinc and phosphorus. Also because diesel is hugely dirty, these oils have extra cleaning agents, which may not be so good for our trucks.
Hope this helps!
Oils designed for Diesel engines tend to have more zinc and phosphorus, and should be better for our old engines. However, these oils are also being re formulated with less zinc and phosphorus. Also because diesel is hugely dirty, these oils have extra cleaning agents, which may not be so good for our trucks.
Hope this helps!
As an analogy, soap is a type of emulsifier.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 332
From: Arlington,Wa
Another example of the knowledge here on these forums. I too am always amazed at what you guys know. Knowledge is power. 
I also agree that Shell Rotella is good. I ran it in my 400 since learning about using diesel oil in a gas engine and Im glad I did. I think I would have ruined the cam and lifters if I stayed with the other oil I was using. Pretty sure it was Quaker State at the time. I noticed after switching oils that it had better oil pressure and the valve train seemed alot quieter so I think it was happy. And now Im running the Rotella in my tired 460.
I also agree that Shell Rotella is good. I ran it in my 400 since learning about using diesel oil in a gas engine and Im glad I did. I think I would have ruined the cam and lifters if I stayed with the other oil I was using. Pretty sure it was Quaker State at the time. I noticed after switching oils that it had better oil pressure and the valve train seemed alot quieter so I think it was happy. And now Im running the Rotella in my tired 460.
Last edited by 79F150400M; Mar 16, 2017 at 10:21 AM. Reason: wordsmithing
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Lots has already been said on this sub-topic, but I would like to re-iterate...
Go with the lightest weight diesel oil you can if you live in a cold climate.
I purchased Rotella T6 5W-40 for my rig because I'll have plenty of cold starts, even in the summer time. The shaded areas in the middle of June can get as cold as -15 C in the mornings, then throughout the day, the sunshine warms everything up to a nice +20 C.
It's a more expensive oil, but it'll help your engine last a lot longer. You don't want your motor churning over thick molasses (15W-XX oil) on a cold morning... it's very hard on the engine and its internals.
Here's a great visual aid to see what different weighted oils look like (being poured) while at the same temperature (- 35 C // -31 F).... Imagine how hard your motor will be churning to get that 15W-40 oil to move...
Image taken from this forum: Corvair Center :: Corvair Center Forum
Go with the lightest weight diesel oil you can if you live in a cold climate.
I purchased Rotella T6 5W-40 for my rig because I'll have plenty of cold starts, even in the summer time. The shaded areas in the middle of June can get as cold as -15 C in the mornings, then throughout the day, the sunshine warms everything up to a nice +20 C.
It's a more expensive oil, but it'll help your engine last a lot longer. You don't want your motor churning over thick molasses (15W-XX oil) on a cold morning... it's very hard on the engine and its internals.
Here's a great visual aid to see what different weighted oils look like (being poured) while at the same temperature (- 35 C // -31 F).... Imagine how hard your motor will be churning to get that 15W-40 oil to move...
Image taken from this forum: Corvair Center :: Corvair Center Forum
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 12
From: Wichita Falls TX
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 332
From: Arlington,Wa
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: White Bluff, TN
Lots has already been said on this sub-topic, but I would like to re-iterate...
Go with the lightest weight diesel oil you can if you live in a cold climate.
I purchased Rotella T6 5W-40 for my rig because I'll have plenty of cold starts, even in the summer time. The shaded areas in the middle of June can get as cold as -15 C in the mornings, then throughout the day, the sunshine warms everything up to a nice +20 C.
It's a more expensive oil, but it'll help your engine last a lot longer. You don't want your motor churning over thick molasses (15W-XX oil) on a cold morning... it's very hard on the engine and its internals.
Here's a great visual aid to see what different weighted oils look like (being poured) while at the same temperature (- 35 C // -31 F).... Imagine how hard your motor will be churning to get that 15W-40 oil to move...
Image taken from this forum: Corvair Center :: Corvair Center Forum
Go with the lightest weight diesel oil you can if you live in a cold climate.
I purchased Rotella T6 5W-40 for my rig because I'll have plenty of cold starts, even in the summer time. The shaded areas in the middle of June can get as cold as -15 C in the mornings, then throughout the day, the sunshine warms everything up to a nice +20 C.
It's a more expensive oil, but it'll help your engine last a lot longer. You don't want your motor churning over thick molasses (15W-XX oil) on a cold morning... it's very hard on the engine and its internals.
Here's a great visual aid to see what different weighted oils look like (being poured) while at the same temperature (- 35 C // -31 F).... Imagine how hard your motor will be churning to get that 15W-40 oil to move...
Image taken from this forum: Corvair Center :: Corvair Center Forum
I was just about to post this. Good thing I read the entire thread before I did. Messing around with old air cooled engines makes you pay attention to oil. Many corvair owners run AMSOIL for their needs. It is a bit pricey to me, but what isn't now days.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Beaumont
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_It_to_Beaver
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Actually they dropped it to 86 for a while. Then 80 proof. The point still stands though.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
EDIT.. No luck on my end. A fossil is gonna have to chime in... someone who was more than a gleam in their dad's eye during that era. ND!!!!