I'm in ZDDP hell

[wegngis]

Hey guys, I've been reading up on ZDDP (zinc), or the lack thereof, in modern oils. My head is spinning. I read anywhere from "you're an idiot to think you have to buy a special oil" to "you're an idiot to think you don't have to buy a special oil." Then there's additives.

Any thoughts on the ZDDP in oil issue?

 

[bronconut73]

Old school flat tappet cam engines do require zinc for proper lubrication/protection. Modern roller motors do not require it.
I have heard that oils with the zinc additive can foul catylitic converters.
There are additives that can help with this without adding actual zinc. So you have choices.

 

[broncoluv]

I dont know abov the zddp issue, but you have excellent taste in sports teams;D Go Ducks!

 

[needabronco]

I may be wrong, but as far as I know it's required for the cam break in period. I've run several engines without it for years and not had any issues whatsoever. Oil for diesel engines still has the zinc additive in it as far as I know too?

 

[broncnaz]

X2 most important for engine break in. After that I dont think its no big deal as long as you change your oil at regular intervals. Not saying the ZDDP doesnt help but you dont need any specail oils. Ive run several vehciles for years with standard oil no issues here. That said I do try and add some ZDDP to my 73 broncos oil like every other oil change. I dont really worry if I add it or not tho. Lucas oil has small bottles of additive.
Ive also heard that oils for diesel engines like rottela 15w40 still has some zinc in it so using that may be a option.

 

[fxnick]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just think how many flat tappet engines are out there still in normal service and 90% of people probably just buy the cheapest oil they can(like me), nothing special
all 300-6's-until 96 had flat tappet cams
302's until ~91 (in trucks)
351s until ~94
all 460s until 96

Im not ashamed i use walmart oil in my fresh rebuilt 302!

 

[bigjhoov]

We run Valvoline VR1 in the racer, http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/racing/racing-motor-oil/6

 

[WheelHorse]

Rotella 5-40 will work fine and has 12-1400 zinc/phos to keep the cam safe. Wallymart is the place to go.

Bronco guys don't have as much to worry about, typically because we aren't pushing heavy duty springs (high seat pressures) with our old stockers. Most who upgrade go roller so that elims the zddp issues and moly substitute works fine in its place. My '77 owners manual does call out the zddp that it must be over 10%. I'm not sure if anyone else has taken the time to visit their owner's manual, but one came with my rig, so I read through it and got a kick out of Ford calling out ZDDP.

Rotella 5-40 it and call it a day...don't over think this one.

 

[pbwcr]

We run Valvoline VR1 in the racer, http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/racing/racing-motor-oil/6

=====
Correct choice. Probably the only dino oil with the correct ampount of zinc. And it comes in a 10-W30 rating as well as the higher viscosities the racers like. Hard to find, but is widely available on line.
The thing to remember that flat tappet engines built after 03/04 probably will not survive with current low zinc engine oil. Sure the older builds are just fine with the new oils because they are worn in with good oil.
Other oil options with low wear characterics include. Correct viscosity diesel oils and oils that meet the euro oil ACEA standards. These oils are sold by Mobil 1, Amsoil and many others. If you want to keep using your favorite oil with no ACEA rating just add a dose of "ZDDPlus" at each oil change. Buy the stuff on line for the best price.
Agree, the late Ford roller motors need not worry about oils, but good oil is always better.
PaulW

 

[knack]

The machine shop that rebuilt my 302 told me to run Rotella because of an additive that will help with flat tappet life - especially during break in. I've been using it for a few years now. Don't know if it's made a difference or not, but all is well so far.

Rotella 5-40 will work fine and has 12-1400 zinc/phos to keep the cam safe. Wallymart is the place to go.

Bronco guys don't have as much to worry about, typically because we aren't pushing heavy duty springs (high seat pressures) with our old stockers. Most who upgrade go roller so that elims the zddp issues and moly substitute works fine in its place. My '77 owners manual does call out the zddp that it must be over 10%. I'm not sure if anyone else has taken the time to visit their owner's manual, but one came with my rig, so I read through it and got a kick out of Ford calling out ZDDP.

Rotella 5-40 it and call it a day...don't over think this one.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I lost an Edelbrock Performer cam in the first 20 minutes thinking that Rotella T had enough zinc. That's when I found out that the diesel rated oils now have reduced zinc too. Now I add a bottle of Comp Cam break-in additive with every oil change. I've heard that once a flat tappet cam is properly broke-in, additional zinc isn't needed, but I'm not risking it.

 

[bronconut73]

I lost an Edelbrock Performer cam in the first 20 minutes thinking that Rotella T had enough zinc. That's when I found out that the diesel rated oils now have reduced zinc too. Now I add a bottle of Comp Cam break-in additive with every oil change. I've heard that once a flat tappet cam is properly broke-in, additional zinc isn't needed, but I'm not risking it.

Well I think that settles it.

 

[AZ73]

=====
Correct choice. Probably the only dino oil with the correct ampount of zinc. And it comes in a 10-W30 rating as well as the higher viscosities the racers like. Hard to find, but is widely available on line.
PaulW

Try Brad Penn. Although they recently started adding some synthetic to their dino.

http://www.penngrade1.com/Zinc.aspx

 

[matts460]

I have been into hotrods/muscle cars forever and in an old back issue of HOTROD mag had a whole story on this issue. So since then i have always used Shell Rottela oil in my old cars. Its cheap and comes in gallons and its at Wal-Fart. I too had a good laugh to see in my newly aquired 77 owners manual to see the ZDDP oil recommended!! Skip the synthetic Rottela and just use the good old fashioned 15/40w Shell. My two pennys.

 

[wegngis]

I dont know abov the zddp issue, but you have excellent taste in sports teams;D Go Ducks!

Go Ducks!

I lost an Edelbrock Performer cam in the first 20 minutes thinking that Rotella T had enough zinc.

There's Rotella T and T6, one is dino and one is synthetic, right?

Rotella 5-40 will work fine and has 12-1400 zinc/phos to keep the cam safe. Wallymart is the place to go.

Rotella 5-40 it and call it a day...don't over think this one.

Too late, it's been overthought. I can't unthink it now, lol. Is 5-40 too thin though? I thought spec for my 289 was 10W30 or 10W40, but I can't find decent documentation on that.

Right now I'm leaning Quaker State Defy 10W40. They're claiming extra ZDDP.

 

[matts460]

I too lost an performer rpm cam in my Falcons 460 without using Rottella! Maby Edlelbrock definetly hasent cornerd the market on cams HaHA. But i have had very good luck with Crane cams. Also the Shell Rottella T 15/40w works well in all my old Ford motors. 390,460,two differnt 302's Heh i also use it in my 95 Acura Integra 1.8 4 banger i drive back and forth to work! LOL Of course im not to picky about that car.

 

[willtel]

Try Brad Penn. Although they recently started adding some synthetic to their dino.

http://www.penngrade1.com/Zinc.aspx

I'm using Brad Penn in mine and I'm happy with it. Much quieter at startup than the last oil I ran. It is popular with air-cooled Porsche and Harley guys.

 

[wegngis]

I decided to go with the Quaker State Defy 10W-40, as their literature states that 10W-40 has 50% more ZDDP than the other grades.

 

[bronco italiano]

-SWEPCO (306) is a fine oil that the old Porsche 356 guys use (has plenty of zinc 1300-1700ppm)

-Kendall 20/50 "liquid titanium)" has about 1200ppm zinc

-Still obtainable at reasonable prices too.

 

[John Marinan]

In order to insure proper flat tappet cam break in, good machine shops will have the cam, new or used, "parkerized". It is a zinc phosphate coating that absorbs oil and helps the surface break in properly. Joe Gibbs makes an oil specifically for engine break in. After the break in period use either a specially formulated high zinc package oil or use an additive like ZDDP. If the oil is not high in zinc, no matter how good it is, the cam will wear out much faster.