Pre-oiler question

[patrickt]

<sigh> ... if the issue you're going for is the dry start thing, then all the comparisons I've read between Brad Penn and Joe Gibbs give the slight edge to Brad Penn on that point. For example, this is fairly typical, from Circle Track: Pennsylvania crude oil, which is the base stock for Brad Penn Racing Oils, has a naturally occurring wetting agent that enables the oil to stay put and resist slinging for an extended period of time. Engine Lubricants - Solving The Flat-Tappet Puzzle - Circle Track Magazine Now, is all of the stuff that I read true? Who knows. Basically, if you just do what Chas tells you to do you'll be fine.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by patrickt

<sigh> ... if the issue you're going for is the dry start thing, then all the comparisons I've read between Brad Penn and Joe Gibbs give the slight edge to Brad Penn on that point. For example, this is fairly typical, from Circle Track: Pennsylvania crude oil, which is the base stock for Brad Penn Racing Oils, has a naturally occurring wetting agent that enables the oil to stay put and resist slinging for an extended period of time. Engine Lubricants - Solving The Flat-Tappet Puzzle - Circle Track Magazine Now, is all of the stuff that I read true? Who knows. Basically, if you just do what Chas tells you to do you'll be fine.

Let's assume that Brad Penn and Joe Gibbs are roughly equal and better than standard oil for infrequently used cars because of their zinc content. Does the use of one of those oils do the trick for a car that is only started once per month, or would a pre oiler/accumulator provide any "dry start" benefits?

[patrickt]

For once every three months, I say no difference whatsoever. I absolutely, positively believe that. And the way I piss money away on this hobby, if I had thought even slightly differently, I'd have one on mine.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

For once every three months, I say no difference whatsoever. I absolutely, positively believe that. And the way I piss money away on this hobby, if I had thought even slightly differently, I'd have one on mine.

Install one or don't.

However, I'm the poster child for letting cars sit for long periods and I've never had a problem whatsoever. In fact, I had installed 3 or 4 engines in my '66 Vette over a span of 25 years and sold the old engines w/o any issues whatsoever after the buyers popped open the oil pan and valve covers. And never heard from them again.

Everyone that I've ever run into (engine builders, install shop, etc.) said it was superfluous.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Everyone that I've ever run into (engine builders, install shop, etc.) said it was superfluous.

... and RodKnock pisses away far more money than I.

[blykins]

Hope all of this helps you, Jeff.....

[DAVID GAGNARD]

My opinion is just that,my opinion, but it is based on what I've seen in the past, 2 instances come to mind:
#1:when I dirt track raced in the early 90's,at the end of the 7 month long season, I would pull the engine and go thru it,freshen it up for the upcoming season....one year I ended up running some races at other tracks after our season was over, by then hunting season had started so I parked the race car.4 months later I pulled the engine to freshen it,when I tore it down there was oil clinging/hanging on every part,it was literally dripping from the cam/rods/crank,basically everywhere.........Back then I used 10/30 Valvoline with a can of STP oil additive added in on every oil change, can't say the STP had anything to do with this, but it couldn't hurt...
#2: About that same time frame, I bought a 65 Mustang,289,2 barrell engine in it for parts,pulled the engine with unkown mileage and sat it under my shed. took the parts I needed off the car and put everything else up for sale...I know this engine had not been run in at least one year, probably longer...well, a guy comes by to buy it, he was checking it out and pulled the dipstick, it was full of jet black oil, then he wanted to pull a valve cover,I told him to have at it, then he wanted to turn the engine over to make sure it wasn't frozen, I got out a 1/2 drive rachet and the correct size socket for the crank bolt,the guy turned the engine over three times by hand and on the third rpm, there was oil coming out of the pushrods........I was suprised to say the least and he bought the engine right there.....

Putting in a pre-oiler is fine if one wants one,we're just saying it is not as needed as some may believe....how many cars are on the road today???? how many sit for weeks or months without being started???? How many come from the manufacter with a pre-oiler??????

David

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

...a car that is only started once per month,

Let's not forget the rear, trans, clutch face, brakes, contacts, and relays too. If you're going to do it right, jack the rear up and put it on stands, then start up the engine, let the clutch in and out a bit, run it through the gears a few times, put it in reverse, too. Pump the brakes while you're at it. OK, hit the turn signals, horn, and turn the steering wheel back and forth. Feel free to say "vroom, vroom, screeaachhhh, vroom, vroom" while you're doing it.

No, I don't do any of this either... but I have met people who have claimed that their clutch disk somehow rusted to their flywheel, over an extended period, and they couldn't break it loose. I think that's about as likely as excessive wear resulting from letting the car sit over the winter. But remember, I stick mine in a car bag with desiccant, which keeps it in a nice, arid bubble inside your garage -- I do believe in doing that.

[Ron61]

I think the temperatures of where you live have a lot to do with that too. When it is summer and 118° here I could just let mine roll out in the driveway and start it and within a few seconds the oil would be everywhere in the engine and the temperatures would be climbing. And I raced mine but I never did put an oil accumulator on it because in this case it was just extra weight and something else to go wrong.

Partrickt,

Didn't your car get heavy carrying it in that bag?

Ron

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Partrickt,

Didn't your car get heavy carrying it in that bag?

Ron

If given the choice between a bag and a pre-oiler, give me the bag any day....

[blykins]

Oh brother.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

Oh brother.

... and my bag keeps Jerry's mouse from setting up shop in the side pipes, munching on the wiring, shooting pool in the heads, etc.