Friend just got 1952 F-1 with original 6 cylinder what type oil with zinc are you using Brad Penn-- Shell Rotella-- OTHER and oil filter --- problems going to dual brake master cylinder and what type---- Thanks

 

You don't need a ZDDP-rich oil for flatheads. Any modern 10w30 will do just fine. More important to have a clean pan and remove as much sludge as possible from the valve area.

 

 

Albuq why would you not need zinc is just for break in ? I was through you fine city a few days ago going out to Phoenix for a few days. On the way back we stayed just south of 40 on 25. I should of let you know a few days in advance and I would of bought you breakfast . (easy for me to say now ). Next time I will let you know if you are up for visitors.

 

Modern oils use an additive package that duplicates the performance of ZDDP packages of old days, on all but the radical high-lift OHV cams. Flatheads have very low spring pressures (around 60 lbs seating pressure), are just not a problem. If you are putting a new cam and/or lifters in any engine, it pays to pre-lube the cam lobes with the lube provided with the new cam.

 

Non synthetic 5W30
Use in my 55 OHV Original

 

My preference in old classic cars and trucks id Lucus Hot Rod and Classic Car oil. It's a conventional oil (non synthetic). It has the ZDDP content needed for flat tappet cams and it's designed to cling to surfaces to keep everything lubricated on cars that don't get driven much. Driven brand oil from Joe Gibbs Racing also has a conventional oil with similar characteristics for Hot Rods and Classic Cars. I won't use the over-the-counter modern oils found at retail parts stores in a classic car.

 

Lucas Hot Rod and Classic oil tests poorly according to several independent oil sites. For instance, from "540 Rat's" website:

"The Wear Protection reference categories in my Blog are:
* Over 120,000 psi = FANTASTIC wear protection
* 105,000 to 120,000 psi = INCREDIBLE wear protection
* 90,000 to 105,000 psi = OUTSTANDING wear protection
* 75,000 to 90,000 psi = GOOD wear protection
* 60,000 to 75,000 psi = MODERATE wear protection
* 50,000 to 60,000 psi = UNDESIRABLE LOW wear protection
* Below 50,000 psi = CAUTION – EXTREMELY LOW wear protection

The HIGHER the psi value, the BETTER the Wear Protection.

* Lucas 10W30 Hot Rod & Classic oil = 62,538 psi, and ranks 216th out of 238 oils tested so far.

* Lucas 30wt Break-In oil = 49,455 psi, and ranks 235th out of 238 oils tested so far.

* Joe Gibbs 5W30 Driven BR30 Break-In Oil = 47,483 psi, and ranks 237th out of 238 oils tested so far."

Plain ol' Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5w30 ranked 4th in his tests. https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/

 

The best advice I can give on oil choice is use your favorite dual rated HDEO. I use John Deere Plus 50 II 10w-30 in my flatheads, its the same oil that gets used in my PowerStroke.

 

After some reading I settled on the Valvoline VR1 20-50 high zinc but I have a 55 with a 239Y in it. Don't have many miles on it but my truck had sat since in the 90's changed the oil got it running and have put maybe 50 miles on it.so far but thinking I'll change it again in the next couple weeks just because.