Club Cobra - Zinc and the flat tappet cam

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- - Zinc and the flat tappet cam (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/tech-tips/86977-zinc-flat-tappet-cam.html)

Roush oil, in the 5W-30 viscosity, has the same ZDDP level as Mobil1 0.08% (800 PPM). It probably has the "starburst" at that viscosity. Almost all synthetics have higher ZDDP when you go to their higher viscosity oils - 15W-50, 20W-50. The trick is getting the higher ZDDP at the lighter weights.

Bob

I just received the analysis on the Redline 5W-30 I sent to Blaskstone labs -

Molybdenum - 705 PPM (0.07%)
Zinc - 1199 PPM (0.12%)
Phosphorous - 1079 PPM (0.11%)

Blackstone also identified the oil as Redline 5W-30. A nice call!

Last year I sent them a sample of the Mobil1 5W-30 I was running -

Molybdenum - 81 PPM (0.008%)
Zinc - 790 PPM (0.08%)
Phosphorous - 656 PPM (0.07%)

Redline also sells a ZDDP additive for those who want even more. A least for now I'm using Redline.

Bob

www.redlineoil.com
www.blackstone-labs.com

That's not the one to use.

This is the one that will solve all problems.
I don't like additives. Never did, never will.
Gibbs = Good/Expensive
Penn = Good/Not found everywhere.....yet
Valvoline = ordered next day at any Napa
http://www.valvoline.com/products/Sp...ing%20Oils.pdf

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdorman (Post 835711)

According to the data sheet: http://www.valvoline.com/products/VR...otor%20Oil.pdf

Yep, but at the very bottom end.

For those of you looking to see if what your favorite oil contains, Google it. ZDDP is a widely discussed topic and part of virtually any oils data sheet.

This is beginning to really "blow my mind". I think almost everyone agrees that there is a zinc shortage in all the new formulated oils. Even the ones that still contain zinc have insufficient levels to adequately protect flat tappet cams. If that is indeed true, why all the worry and wonder about which oil you should use? Seems to me the solution is to keep using the oil you have already been using, or the oil you prefer, and add the ZDDP Plus to bring the percentage level up to 1500/1600 PPM (or whatever concentration you need).

For example, someone listed the new Roush oil which contains zinc, but the concentration level is still insufficient to meet Comp Cam's recommendation. I think the question is not which oil will correct the problem, but how much zinc do I need to add to my oil, as no oil alone will meet the concentration of zinc that Comp Cam recommends.

As to whether or not you like the idea of additives, the oil companies have done that for years, so what is the big deal?

But more importantly, who among us knows more about cam wear than the engineers at Comp Cams. I know there are alot of very smart people out there, but as for me, I know my own limitations, and I will defer to the engineers at Comp Cams on this one. Afterall, if the cam fails, who will you turn to for advice (or replacement) then? Might be a little difficult to blame a part failure on the manufacturer if you fail to follow manufacturer's recommendations. Bob

Hey Dorman, thanks for bringing this up again. I was running Rotella in my solid flat tappet 427SO, but I just ordered a number of bottles of ZDDP plus.

I can tell you all that after wiping out 3-4 cams with this new oil I finally paid up and installed a full solid roller cam,and still run Rotella. WOW!!! What a difference in the motor.
It Revs free-er, idles way better, and I have to ask myself why I wasted all the time and effort,not to mention the money, to try and get a solid flat tappet cam to work!
John :JEKYLHYDE:D

I guess it all depends on how radical you try to be with them, and whether they were built properly. I have 9K on my SO with solid flat tappet, but I'm running a very mild, stock-spec cam.