Switching to SAE 50 Which brand?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by CBattaglia

Eric recommended 20w-50. That answers that. If it aint broke, dont fix it

20w-50 is NOT "straight 50" as your first post asks. There is a difference.
Did you ask him what bearing clearances he used to warrant that?

Maybe "it ain't broke" - yet.

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

20w-50 is NOT "straight 50" as your first post asks. There is a difference.
Did you ask him what bearing clearances he used to warrant that?

Maybe "it ain't broke" - yet.

Straight 50 has about the same viscosity change as 20w. 0w50 is almost no change.

Since your in NY, a 5w30 would be fine. That 50 will be playing hell on your oil pump. I'm suprised it was recommended.

Two things about oil, film strength (which has nothing to do with weight), and cooling (which that gravy chugging through the system won't do very well). Try running 100% coolant to see how that works.

Keep in mind your oil clearance is 2~3 thousands of an inch, when you see your oil pressure skyrocket that means it's having a tough time going where it needs to go and your oil pump has to try to force more oil into this high pressure chamber. The end result is snapped distributor pins, ground off gears, and sheared pump drive shafts. (also lots of towing bills)

[zrayr]

Originally Posted by Ronbo

...................................Keep in mind your oil clearance is 2~3 thousands of an inch, when you see your oil pressure skyrocket that means it's having a tough time going where it needs to go and your oil pump has to try to force more oil into this high pressure chamber. The end result is snapped distributor pins, ground off gears, and sheared pump drive shafts. (also lots of towing bills)

although these horrible things can happen, they aren't LIKELY to happen if your motor is a good condition, and top quality parts, such as HD oil pump shafts, are used. I'm using a high volume pump & a HD oil pump shaft. I've been using Mobil 1 15w-50 for 24,000 miles at the following (high) pressures:

cold engine:

pressure @ idle: 82 psi

hot engine:

idle (800 rpm) .... 35 psi
1500 rpm ..............70 psi
2000 rpm ..............72 psi
2500 rpm ..............75 psi
3000 rpm ............. 80 psi
3500 rpm ............. 82 psi
4000 rpm ............ 85 psi
5000 rpm ............ 85 psi
6000 rpm ............ 85 psi
6500 rpm ............ 85 psi

I know Texas & New York have little in common weather-wise, but If the use of your engine is moderate to severe, then heavy oil might be indicated if you're not concerned with some horsepower loss.

Z. Ray

[CBattaglia]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

20w-50 is NOT "straight 50" as your first post asks. There is a difference.
Did you ask him what bearing clearances he used to warrant that?

Maybe "it ain't broke" - yet.

I was considering changing from 20-50 to straight 50. I have now reconsidered and decided to stick with the 20-50. The guy who built the motor told me what oil to use. I am guessing that if he doesnt know that much I have much bigger problems. So far she runs like a raped ape.

At 2500 RPM cold im at 70psi
at 2500 RPM 100c im at 57psi

With 20w50