I hear horror stories of new oils with not enough zinc for flat tappet cams. My engine is broken in already, so i need to know what oil to use regularly to protect my engine.
What oil to use 68 rebuilt 289?
- Thread starter Crs
- Start date
That's good to hear! I have about 2000 miles since my rebuild( stock with mild cam). Do know know what the zinc numbers are for redline?
I have about 2000 miles on the engine since the rebuild. The person who built the engine told me to use straight 30 weight oil with a zinc additive. I hear good things about delvac mobile 1300 15w-40 oil. I'm just not sure about using straight 30 weight. Your thoughts?
65Rob
Member
I just rebuilt the 425 in my Riv and I'm using the Brad Penn oil specifically for flat tappet cam motors. 1500 ppm zinc I believe.
65FBE2
Member
Use Redline, Brad Penn or Joe Gibbs hot rod oil. I think Royal Purple also has a high zinc hot rod oil made for older engines. Be ready to pay the $6 a quart for it. The zinc additives will work but I have a problem with messing with factory oil recipe. They spend millions of dollars developing oil and then we come along and add something that the engineer didn't figure into the formula. Might be no issue but I have learned he hard way a few times and would rather buy an oil made for the application right from the start
65FBE2
Member
They are all conventional. Synthetic works fine also but harder to find with the zinc. I think Joe Gibbs has the zinc. The problem most often found with synthetic in the old engine's is it seems to be leak prone. The two piece rear main is a pain to get sealed and synthetic just seems to find new ways to leak out. I spoke with a Joe Gibbs rep and he said "the only reason to run synthetic is if you are racing with it. Synthetic will remove heat from the engine better. "
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
The Redline and Royal Purple oils are only available in synthetic, not conventional.
Something with 1200ppm ZDDP or more will probably be fine. If the engine builder called for straight 30 weight, then 10w-30 will be fine also. 10w-30 just flows better when cold. Although I have a roller cam and don't need the high zinc, I've been using Castrol Tection 15w-40 because I had it on hand.
Something with 1200ppm ZDDP or more will probably be fine. If the engine builder called for straight 30 weight, then 10w-30 will be fine also. 10w-30 just flows better when cold. Although I have a roller cam and don't need the high zinc, I've been using Castrol Tection 15w-40 because I had it on hand.
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