Oils high in ZDDP- my findings this week
 

Heres what I learned ; So it was time to change the break-in oil in my 460 crate engine and I did a quick search on over the counter, reasonably priced easy to find oils. The Local Brad Penn dist didnt answer the phone and I needed the oil that morning so gave up on it. After consulting the latest product sheets for a few of these racing oils I learned the high ZDDP (zinc.phosphate oils ) can still be found in oils marketed as "Racing Oils" but most are limited to the 50 weight oils (straight 50 or multi-grade 15W or 20W-50 to meet the recent rules that limit the ZDDP content to I think about 800ppm (so CAT's live a long happy life) in 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, weight oils.

I decided on the Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil , 20W-50 because its easy to find, cheap and has the 1200-1300 ish ppm I was looking for. Readers note, I'm still using a can of Comp Cams cam break-in lube to be conservative along with the VR1 oil since my engine has less than 10 hours on it.

I learned of a "new to me" Mobil 1 product 0W-50 Racing Oil "formulated for NASCAR Cup engines" with big time 1850ppm for ZDDP, but I imagine that its special order and big bucks per quart ????? Perhaps some of you are already using it ??

I also read the Mobil 1 15W-50 is "back by demand" according to the web site and has ZDDP loadings in the 1200-1300 'ish ppm range. I couldnt find it in my local parts stores though but it shoud be reasonably priced ????.

One question I would like answered by the Lube experts here is at what ZDDP depletion level (its used up as the oil ages) is the oil no longer considered safe to run in our flat tappet cams with high spring pressures (700, 800 900 ppm ?) of course thats a mail order oil analysis to find out. Most new oils with SAE SM rating I think are limited to 800 ppm max ????

[QUOTEI also read the Mobil 1 15W-50 is "back by demand" according to the web site and has ZDDP loadings in the 1200-1300 'ish ppm range. I couldnt find it in my local parts stores though but it shoud be reasonably priced ????.
][/quote]

This is what I use in my race car, you can get all day,everyday at wally world............fairly reasonable also......

David

Oil
 

So,what are you using?
Jon

Redline oils (all, even the 5W-30) are 1,200 to 1,300 ZDDP. I left mine in for a year (1,800 miles) and the ZDDP level did not move. Redline also sells a ZDDP additive for about ten bucks. Using Redline and their additive I'm now at about 1,500 ZDDP.

Don't be using a really thick oil just to get the higher ZDDP lever you're after.

High ZDDP levels in Mobil1 are very expensive.

Bob

There is an inexpensive and readily available alternative to racing oils and synthetics if you're looking for a motor oil with ZDDP in the 1200-1300 ppm range: mixed fleet motor oils such as Chevron Delo LE 15W-40, which are API rated for service in both diesel and gasoline fueled engines. Shell Rotella T and Mobil 1300 would also get 'er done.

Most of the diesel oils no longer have enough Zinc in them as new diesel trucks are running Cats as part of the emissions required by Feds. I have a chart from Lucus Oil Products. Using their Engine Break in Additive you can get what you need.

4.9 qts with 4 0z oil = 1,250 ZPPM
4.75 qts + 8oz = 2,500 ZPPM
4.5 qts + 16 oz = 5,000 ZPPM

I'm running 16 oz bottle to 14 qts in my Cobra
Other cars are 5 qt oil pans so mixed accordly.

Hope this might be of some use Happy 4th of July
Thanks a Vet today. Jay

Just buy ZDDP additive
 

If you buy a ZDDP additive, you can buy any oil you want with no compromise on a good brand, the weight you want, and the price you want. Buying the separate additive gives you complete flexibility. See below:


ZDDPlus - ZDDP Oil Additive for Classic Cars

Rislone Engine Oil Supplement

ZDDP Maxx Classic Car Engine Oil Antiwear Additive - Zinc and Phosphorus Additive

Redline Synthetic Oil Additive for Flat Tappet ZDDP ! | eBay



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Is there any reason to run or be concerned at all about the ZDDP level in a roller motor?

Mobil 1 15w50
 

Walmart has the 15w50 most of the time.