Oil recommendations

[zrayr]

Mobil 1 15w-50. Plenty of zinc/phosphorus and superior wear protection. And despite the conflicting opinions you might read here or elsewhere, it is a true 100% synthetic oil. The base stock argument has been throughly discredited by industry scientists, as well as the contributors, professional and otherwise, of the well known Bob the oil guy forum. The oil refining processes, and most importantly the properties of the finished product are what determines if the oil meets the definition and performance of synthetic oil. To be stuck on the base stock criteria of the oil to determine whether finished product can be called synthetic, or not, these days is a overly simplistic methodology that doesn't fit the issue, even partially.

I have been using it since 1997 in many vintage cars, mostly Ford powered. About 250,000 miles total with no lubrication issues or breakdowns. These engines were not babied. Numerous high speed endurance runs flat out in 4th gear for as long as a tank of gas would last.

Every engine that was torn down for inspection showed zero wear on all bearings.

Z

[genolan]

I just switched from Castrol 20w 50 to Castrol 10w 40. I did notice my cold PSI went from 60 to 55 and hot idle (850) went from 28 to 22. These are still good numbers so I see no reason to switch back in fact I may go to 0w 30 in the spring

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by zrayr

Mobil 1 15w-50. Plenty of zinc/phosphorus and superior wear protection. And despite the conflicting opinions you might read here or elsewhere, it is a true 100% synthetic oil. The base stock argument has been throughly discredited by industry scientists, as well as the contributors, professional and otherwise, of the well known Bob the oil guy forum. The oil refining processes, and most importantly the properties of the finished product are what determines if the oil meets the definition and performance of synthetic oil. To be stuck on the base stock criteria of the oil to determine whether finished product can be called synthetic, or not, these days is a overly simplistic methodology that doesn't fit the issue, even partially.

I have been using it since 1997 in many vintage cars, mostly Ford powered. About 250,000 miles total with no lubrication issues or breakdowns. These engines were not babied. Numerous high speed endurance runs flat out in 4th gear for as long as a tank of gas would last.

Every engine that was torn down for inspection showed zero wear on all bearings.

Z

I would disagree with you. How can it possibly be 100% synthetic if it comes from natural sources? That's like saying the banana on your counter is 100% synthetic because it meets the scientific description of a banana.

100% synthetic is just that - 100% manufactured and man made. Petroleum oil from dead dinos (or wherever it came from) clearly does not meet the definition.

Def: Synthetic: noting or pertaining to compounds formed through a chemical process by human agency, as opposed to those of natural origin

That's not to say that M1 is a bad oil. It's not. For the vast majority of cars on the road, it's a fine oil and will perform up to acceptable standards. But if you're paying synthetic prices for highly refined dyno oil, you're getting ripped off (IMO).

A true synthetic will perform better in difficult situations, like air cooled engines, and I have the UOA's to prove it.

BTW, where did you get bearings that never wear out? I'd sure like to put some in my engines.