I have been racking my brain reading countless stories about the lack of ZDDP "zinc" in today's oil. Nobody can give a clear answer of which oil to use in these old flat tappet engines. I'm starting to think it might be better to just spend the few extra bucks and get a roller cam and not have to worry about fancy oil or additives. Anyone on here go this route? My engine is a Ford 400.

 

Rotella T4 is what I found when I searched. I changed my oil and put it in and my truck has quieted down nicely.

I am in need of some frequent oil changes because of lack of maintenance by previous owners but so far so good.

 

I thought I read Rotella changed the oil to a lower zinc content. I'll have to research the T4.

 

Lookup Brad Penn-Penn Grade 1, it's made for stuff like this. I just bought another case and a half fir $5 something a qt.

 

From what I read, T4 is high in zinc, but now I also just read that it is high in phosphorus. Hmmm, phosphorus will kill the catalytic converter.

Guess I will have to reresearch

 

I thought the T4 was full synthetic too?

The Brad Penn I'm using is partial synthetic. Most never heard of Brad Penn I'm sure and probably think it's a no name brand. I think they were or still are Kendall just renamed for the local plant it's made at in Bradford,Pa. The oil is green and very sticky with high zinc for flat tappet cams.

I noticed when I went from break in cheap oil to this in my 460 I gained like 5psi oil pressure with same weight.

I also use it in my 445 Fe even though it has a roller cam and could pretty much run whatever now.

 

I like the idea of a roller conversion too, but there's no comparison in the cost-vs-benefit categories.
The actual conversion parts are inexpensive of course, but have you checked the price of a roller cam, lifter and spring kit lately? Yikes! I'm too old for this stuff. Gone are the "good old days" of $79 cams!

Just did a roller in a 302 and it was almost $1000, which ain't hay.
But they are cool... And yes, you don't have to worry about flat lobes anymore either.

But there are plenty of zinc-rich oils about these days. More than just a couple of years ago it seems, after a few too many old cars lost their cam lobes. It was hard to tell at first if they were just old or abused, but after enough of a sampling, I'm sure they figured out what was going on.
That or they just made things clearer to guys like me that weren't paying much attention at that point and not driving our old cars and trucks as often.

Paul

 

You're right about the cost of the roller cam and it snowballs quick. I know I spent too much which some of the reason was justified by oil and the other...well I just wanted it lol.
Comp cam- $400 roughly
T&D street rockers- $1200
Trend push rods- $200
Steel Dist gear- $90
Valve springs- bought new heads with right springs assembled

I coulda probably bought 3-55 gal drums of oil not counting the head money.

 

Rotella is being reformulated with less zinc, so watch out.

I'm running Valvoline VR-1 racing oil.

Good stuff, although I don't think it's sold in California stores. I get it at AutoZone or O'Reilly when it's on sale-otherwise at Summit

 

T4 is a full mineral Oil

As for ZDDP content.

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection SAE 15W-40 API CK-4

Even better is Rotella T6 A full Sythnetic motor oil

Petroleum Quality Institute of America

Others that are good.

Napa
Petroleum Quality Institute of America

Ford MotorcraftSuper Duty Formula
10w-30
Ford Motorcraft Super Duty Formula SAE 10W-30

ACE Motor Oil Super heavy duty diesel formulation SAE 15W40 (ya go figure)

ACE SAE 15W-40 API CI-4/SL Super Heavy Duty Diesel Formulation


Any way you get the point cruise the site to check your fav motor oil, tranny fluid or coolant.

I use T6 in everything and Rotella ELC coolant. Both are available form Wallymart.

 

And a post from "Bob's the oil guy". The newer diesel oils still have around 1200 PPM zinc or better... enough for a mild flat tappet dent engine. I run 15W40 conventional in my "seasoned" engine.

As far as roller lifters go, retrofit has its own issues (besides cost). These engines seem happy with flat tappet cam and correct oil which I too get at Walmart.


https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub...M_#Post4490450

 

Will any full synthetic have enough protection to keep a cam alive? Iv'e heard people run Mobil 1 but I can't find how much zinc it has.

 

Valvoline VR 1 10w40 is what my 460 likes. It's readily available most places.

 

Unless you have extreme springs pressures/HI RPM usage, it shouldn't present a problem with today's quality lubricants - (IMO).

-PennGrade Motor Oil-

 

Mobile 1 15W 50 has high zinc. Also the full synthetic diesel oils mentioned earlier in the thread (eg Shell Rotella T6) have adequate zinc. Standard car grades of Mobile 1 do not have much zinc.