Home 
Home Search search Menu menu Not logged in - Login | Register

 Moderated by: Greg Fletcher
New Topic Reply Printer Friendly
motor oil  Rate Topic 
AuthorPost
 Posted: 01-22-2007 03:03 am
  PM Quote Reply
1st Post
crothberg
Member
 

Joined: 08-17-2006
Location: Centerport, New York USA
Posts: 9
Status: 
Offline
hi all,


i just read the keith ansell piece in the standard.  i had seen this on another forum, but i'm still not sure what oil would best protect the older, broken in engines in most of our cars. my understanding is that mr ansell refers to experience with vintage british cars, not specifically lotus engined 4 valve JH's.

i note that the article  makes no mention of mobil 1 (good or bad).

i'm relatively new to this hobby (got the JH 6.06) so i lack much hands on experience.  is there an advantage in running  zddp rich dino oils over synthetics?

it is my undstanding that the valvetrain in our cars has much in common with modern engines - whose manufacturers recommend synthetic.  am i missing the issues intinsic to these cars? 

will i deprive my car of essential protection in swithing to a synthetic?                

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 01-22-2007 06:20 am
  PM Quote Reply
2nd Post
Jensen Healey
Super Moderator


Joined: 03-11-2005
Location: San Anselmo, California USA
Posts: 983
Status: 
Offline

There are several issues with the 907 that shouldn't occur on a modern engine. The dry starting and the heat expansion and flexing of the bearing panel causing the tolerances to change. A little insurance could go a long way.

The main problem with synthetics is their propensity to leak more than regular oil from the already porous 907. If you want to use it, the article states that Red Line still contains the zddp.

Kurt

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 01-23-2007 07:04 pm
  PM Quote Reply
3rd Post
Greg Fletcher
Administrator


Joined: 03-11-2005
Location: Lake Nacimiento, California USA
Posts: 430
Status: 
Offline
I'd stick with Castrol 20W 50 myself. Castrol 20W 50 has the stuff older engines need to stay operational. Besides, the rubber seals on the 907 are designed for conventional oils. As Kurt mentions, I've heard numerous reports of excessive leaking when using some synthetics although some owners that have had no problems (lots of variables on that one), so it's going to be a roll of the dice. In any event, after reading that oil article in the January '07 issue, if I was going to use a synthetic, I would definitly go with a Redline street formula since they still use the vital ZDDP to keep wear at a minimum.

Remember, per that article, DO NOT use any other motor oils designed for new cars, it could spell disater for your 907 engine.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 01-24-2007 03:10 am
  PM Quote Reply
4th Post
crothberg
Member
 

Joined: 08-17-2006
Location: Centerport, New York USA
Posts: 9
Status: 
Offline
interesting read:

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

cr

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 01-24-2007 07:03 am
  PM Quote Reply
5th Post
Jensen Healey
Super Moderator


Joined: 03-11-2005
Location: San Anselmo, California USA
Posts: 983
Status: 
Offline
Good find!

Interesting that the Castrol GTX was 30 wt. in the 20-50 bottle!

Looks like the GTX High Mile 20-50 and the Valvoline VR1 are available locally and have the zddp required.

For synthetic, the Royal Purple could reduce the leakage problems with Mobil 1.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 01-25-2007 02:24 am
  PM Quote Reply
6th Post
Sylva
Member
 

Joined: 09-14-2006
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 54
Status: 
Offline
As you will know Lotus are now owned by Proton, whose factory is about 10 miles from my desk as I write  this. Lotus engineers come out here on a reular basis, to provide support, including people who worked on the original design of the 900, ex lotus F1 enginers and engineers from the Elites that ran in world sports cars. I don't want to use names on this forum, but over a beer they all say the same thing, the only oil to use is Castrol RS synthetic.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 01-25-2007 03:21 am
  PM Quote Reply
7th Post
crothberg
Member
 

Joined: 08-17-2006
Location: Centerport, New York USA
Posts: 9
Status: 
Offline
i emailed mobil.  this is their response:

Thank you for your inquiry,

   Mobil1 15W50 Extended Performance would be the appropriate product for your applications, it contains the higher levels of ZDDP levels. Energy conserving motor oils have mandates put on them to reduce ZDDP levels.

--
Thank you for choosing ExxonMobil products.
If you need further assistance, please contact ExxonMobil at 1-800-ASK-MOBIL

-Matt Jacob

cr

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 01-25-2007 05:00 pm
  PM Quote Reply
8th Post
Jensen Healey
Super Moderator


Joined: 03-11-2005
Location: San Anselmo, California USA
Posts: 983
Status: 
Offline
Go for it.

I just picked up a case of VR1 but they were out of the K&N oil filter, but that's another subject.

Kurt

Last edited on 01-28-2007 07:47 pm by Jensen Healey

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 12-23-2015 05:26 pm
  PM Quote Reply
9th Post
Matthew10571
Member
 

Joined: 12-11-2015
Location:  
Posts: 16
Status: 
Offline
I found Valvoline 20W-50 4 stroke MC oil with "Zinc. compounds". It doesn't specify ZDDP, would this be a good oil to use. Oh did I say it's $2.00 off so that 46.80 for 12 qts.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

Current time is 09:15 pm  
> Jensen Healey & Jensen GT Tech > Engine & Transmission > motor oil Top




UltraBB 1.172 Copyright © 2007-2011 Data 1 Systems