The Zinc has been removed from the oil, and because of this, it is causing cam failure in most OHV engines. To fix this, you need to buy a zinc additive and add it to the oil. I found this out a few weeks ago, and I recently comfirmed it.

 

It doesn't affect OHC engines, just OHV engines.
It affects OHV engines, because the zinc coats the lifters and the cam, making the contact smoother. I have pics of what happens when there isn't any zinc added. I'd gladly pass them along, but I don't know how. Does anyone?


There is an off the shelf diesel oil that has it, but I'm gonna buy the Zinc additive. Joe Gibbs Racing along with other companies makes it.

 

Well, you are write Doc, sorry for being a little unclear. As I understand it, roller cams don't have this problem, because of what you said, the lifters can spin.
But synthetic oil ain't great for older engines, it'll work, but not great. I'm not sure if it has the zinc in it.

 

Well, you are right Doc, sorry for being a little unclear. As I understand it, roller cams don't have this problem, because of what you said, the lifters can spin.
But synthetic oil ain't great for older engines, it'll work, but not great. I'm not sure if it has the zinc in it.

 

ya, i heard that too

 

what was it?

 

hey guys but im going to ask a stupid question but what does the SL stand for ? guess im not up on the oil thing but i just have always used valvoline oils and this year since im burning e-85 i went with the full synthetic syn power 20-50 --- it does have the note saying that it exceeds api services SM/SL,CF,ACEA SERVICES A3/B3/B4 and all preceding api&acea categories ? any thoughts on this

 

hey i just wrote to valvoline about this and asked them about the little smoke i have coming out of my engine and this is what they sent

You should stay with the VR1 racing oil because it has 1300 ppm Zinc, where as the SynPower only has 850ppm, the smoke is probably due to the full synthetics detergents cleaning the engine, if the engine isn't use to full synth. the smoke could be from all the sludge buildup being burnt out of the engine...but if your looking for high zinc...stay with VR1 racing oil

 

Is the VR1 oil anymore expensive than other oil?

 

the vr1 oil is cheaper than full synthetic but a dollar or so more than conventional oil

 

I don't think I hace a tractor Supply near me. basically just auto zone and a few old speed shops. Maybe Valvoline might be the way to go, but since I have a few small leaks on my engine, I'm worried that the syntetic oil fight find them and just gush out.

 

I went to a machine shop today to get my heads redone, adn he told me about an oil, which I'm not sure how its spelled, Retela T made by Shell. It has zinc in it, but he told me, it doesn't have enough. So, you need to buy the zinc additive, and pour it into the bottle FIRST! Shake it up, then pour into the car. If you don't put it into the bottle, it won't completely miz in the oil pan.

 

the rotela oil he is refering to is diesel oil and you do not want to use that it is formulated for the diesel engines because of the sulfer content in it, it has special cleaners for that and can harm your gas engine ... i use that in my company trucks only

 

Oh, really? Wow, this zinc stuff is giving me a lot of trouble.

 

hey 67 just use high milage valvoline oil or there vr1 oil and you will be fine

 

Oh, ok.
Thanks Challenger.

 

anymore word on the subject?

 

OK
here is my final prognosis

if you have an old engine thar has been running for a long time, you wont need zinc additives
most oils (make sure yours has it) has enough zinc in it for the engine

BUT

if you are running a newly built engine(new cam, lifters, etc), you need more zinc in your oil

 

Good to know, thanks

 

np
i just hope everyone knows

 

true
i believe it has 1300 ppm