i gave you points for that!
Api?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 382
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From: Big Red country
Just use the newest rating and you'll be fine. If what you are saying is correct, then there would be millions of cars and trucks on the road with the wrong oil!!! Oils keep evolving and are backward compatible, if that term is applicable anyway.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
i don't remember SI oil. i don't think they made any. but there is some truth to your question. it is a good idea NOT to use API SM and newer in your engine. SJ and SL are best for yours. SM was the start of the new enviro friendly oils. they have a 60% reduction in ZDDP which your cam needs to survive. plenty of cam makers have issued notices about this. new cars don't need much if any ZDDP to live a long life.,
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Houston
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 382
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From: Big Red country
Ford390. Got a serious question for you. How does one find oil then for older engines? I Have never seen more then one formulation of say Valvoline 10W30 on the shelf.
I am serious here, not questioning you, just want to learn.
Thanks. Matt
I am serious here, not questioning you, just want to learn.
Thanks. Matt
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
well API SJ is still made by a few makers. But my source for API SL is diesel engine oil. it has a very robust add pack. Diesel engine oils are dual rated for use in gas or diesel engines. they are highly solvent and keep engines spotless. typical diesel engine oil is either 10w30 or 15w40 and comes in 1 gallon bottles. Rotella T , Delo , Delvac Super 1300 , Valvoline premium blue and Castrol tection are all fine examples of oil which will protect a older engine. we have been seeing a lot of cams go bad since the reduction in ZDDP came about. the ZDDP is what prevents the lifter and cam lobe from touching. without it you will get metal on metal contact which can cause flattened lobes. moly has been added to lessen this but moly only protects at high temp. so if the engine is never hot enough the moly does not come into effect. moly is very $$$ and some oil makers don't use it.
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I am asking that too, since there has only eve been the newest ratings and never the older ones.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Big Red country
Hmm. So in other words I need to be checking into this a little more to find out what to use in my 66 Stang. I don't drive it much. Actually not at all. Yes that is a shame. I always read that the newer oils were always compatible with older engines. Would never have thought otherwise. Food for thought.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
I believe SJ was the start of enviro-friendly oils insofar as reducing phosphorus goes. It would be interesting to find out when the "Energy Conserving" ratings began as that would be another of the enviro-friendly features. Yes HDMO will have a good additive package like pre enviro PCMO.
For a '66 Stang you could run the HDMO or get an additive for your PCMO. Also, Valvoline VR-1 Racing Oil has higher phosphorus, more like a HDMO, and is suitable for street use.
For a '66 Stang you could run the HDMO or get an additive for your PCMO. Also, Valvoline VR-1 Racing Oil has higher phosphorus, more like a HDMO, and is suitable for street use.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
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From: Southern California
I thought that the SM formulation had substituted something else for ZDDP, in order to be "backwards compatible" and still provide the lubrication needed for the not so new engines. 
Still though, I would think SM would be way better in all aspects than the SC-SE oils used by the older vehicles' back in the day.
Still though, I would think SM would be way better in all aspects than the SC-SE oils used by the older vehicles' back in the day.