JanZverina Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 A big thank you to all ROA members who assisted with my question re oil/air filters. A couple of Wix oil filters appeared on my doorstep this week and a Wix air filter is incoming. My next question is more out of curiosity as to what '63/'64 owners with 401s prefer when it comes to oil type and viscosity. As technology advances (for the most part), who uses what and why these days as far as oil and possibly any additives? My Riv, which is about to be a brand new car again - only because its odometer is about to roll over from 99,998 - has under my nine-year ownership always used a good brand of conventional 10W-30 oil as recommended by a local well-regarded independent shop which only services older vehicles. I should also add that like many enthusiasts of older vehicles, I perform routine maintenance by the calendar vs. miles. Maybe I'm poking at a hornet's nest here, but it's always good to share such info if done in a civil manner. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Use 10W30 (I recommend Mobil 1) and with each oil change add a bottle of ZDDP to give your oil the zinc additive to protect the flat tappet camshaft from wear. The zinc was removed from modern oils because it damaged emission controls on late model cars. Mobil 1 is an amazing product......since I started using it shortly after it came out I've never had any sort of internal mechanical failure on any of my car's engines, even after running some of them 350,000 miles. When I used to use conventional oil my engines would have an internal failure usually between 100,000-150,000 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I agree with Winston on his choice of Mobil 1, but I’m against additives. You can find a Mobil 1 sysnthetic that has the minimum PPM (parts per million) of zinc and phosphate in the oil. If that engine is approaching 100K, you can probably run a higher viscosity. IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelj Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) I started using Valvoline VR1 in the last few years. It looks like a pretty good option. Edited January 6, 2023 by joelj (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, joelj said: I started using Valvoline VR1 in the last few years. It looks like a pretty good option. From the description on the back, this looks good. If I may ask, how many miles on your engine and do you know what kind of pressure your engine is producing using the 10W-30? Addendum: I just looked at the specs on the VR1 oils. Both the 10W-30 and the 20W-50 viscosities have 1400 ppm of zinc and 1300 ppm of phosphate. More than adequate for the nailhead without the use of an additive. Edited January 7, 2023 by RivNut Addendum (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 VR1 as shown above, or my favorite for years is Penngrade (10-40 for your 100k mi Riv). I use Penngrade oils for all antique car, truck or motorcycles. https://penngrade1.com/products/high-performance-oils/penngrade-1-partial-synthetic-high-performance-oil-sae-10w-30/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenugent Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 12 minutes ago, JZRIV said: VR1 as shown above, or my favorite for years is Penngrade (10-40 for your 100k mi Riv). I use Penngrade oils for all antique car, truck or motorcycles. https://penngrade1.com/products/high-performance-oils/penngrade-1-partial-synthetic-high-performance-oil-sae-10w-30/ Same here Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71GS Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I run the valvoline VR1 10/30 also. Good stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegart Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 VR1 10w30 and a wix filter works good for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 The Penngrade, formerly Brad Penn, has about the same 1400 - 1300 ppm as the VR1. All should work well on the flat tappet nailhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelj Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 13 hours ago, RivNut said: From the description on the back, this looks good. If I may ask, how many miles on your engine and do you know what kind of pressure your engine is producing using the 10W-30? Addendum: I just looked at the specs on the VR1 oils. Both the 10W-30 and the 20W-50 viscosities have 1400 ppm of zinc and 1300 ppm of phosphate. More than adequate for the nailhead without the use of an additive. Thanks for bringing up the oil pressure check. This is something I am adding to my to do list for the spring. One of my cars is a 64 Riviera with 85k miles. I have owned it since 2014. It runs fine but it still can't hurt to know more about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegart Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Some people use diesel oil because of higher levels of zddp. Hot Rod magazine had a article on diesel oil in gas engines. It said the zddp in diesel oil is for lower rpm engines and is different from the zddp in oils for gas engines that see higher rpms. Use the right oil. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera63 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 My 1963 is ready to turn 86,000 miles on the odometer. This last year I would occasionally get the oil light coming on when idling in gear. It doesn't happen all the time and it would happen after a long stretch of driving when everything was good and hot. I talked this over with Tom T. and he told me that this was a sign that my engine is starting to show a little wear. He suggested to me to switch to a 20W-50 oil. I did this and I have not experienced this problem since. A couple of years ago I had switched to Lucas Classic and Hot Rod Oil. I was using their 10W-30 and then switched to their 20W-50. Both weights have a zinc content of 2100 ppm. I am very happy with their oil. I also like the fact that I can get this oil at several of the chain auto parts stores and on Amazon. Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I have used Valvoline VR-1 in all my hobby cars for many years. I like to use 10W40 in my higher mileage originals but they don't make that so I mix half 10W30 and half 20W50. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 To start for flat tappet engines, research oils WITHOUT the API/GF crest on the front or back label. Question: If starting and old engine with new pre-lubed camshaft and lifters, should BREAK-IN OIL be used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 4 hours ago, kegart said: Some people use diesel oil because of higher levels of zddp. Hot Rod magazine had a article on diesel oil in gas engines. It said the zddp in diesel oil is for lower rpm engines and is different from the zddp in oils for gas engines that see higher rpms. Use the right oil. Kevin Kevin, can you point me to that article? I'd like to read it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brtele Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 VR1 or Penngrade (Brad Penn) 10w30 for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegart Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 1 hour ago, Jim Cannon said: Kevin, can you point me to that article? I'd like to read it. Thanks! Jim, if you do a search on hot rod article on diesel oil, it will come up a motor trend link Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegart Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I'd put the link on here but I don't know how Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedeDownUnderR63 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 1 hour ago, kegart said: I'd put the link on here but I don't know how Kevin I guess that this is what you are referring to: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/diesel-oil-in-gasoline-engine/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I read the article. It’s got some very relative information in. The basis of the article is not which brand, but what are the requirements of the engine. You as the driver/owner are the only one who can answer those questions. The article did state 1) that diesel oils are designed for low rpm applications, and 2) too much ZZDP can be just as bad or worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegart Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 4 hours ago, SwedeDownUnderR63 said: I guess that this is what you are referring to: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/diesel-oil-in-gasoline-engine/ Thank you for posting the link. I have trouble navigating online. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanZverina Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Thanks again, everyone, for your responses and expertise. It makes sense for me to go with a 20W-50 at this point so I'll try the Lucas Classic. I've been using 20W-50 in my E-type forever, but Castrol. Mentioning 'Lucas' seems to make some older Jag owners still shudder but life goes on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnrex Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 I have been using Mobile 1 15w-50 for the last 10 plus year. My engine is approaching 100.000 miles so I like the heavier weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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