I have been told that i should be using a zinc additive in my oil, is this true? If so does anyone know where I can pick sone up?

 

Lucas makes an additive... And there are many others..Rotella T is zinc enriched oil..Most diesel oils are... You need the zinc if you are running flat lifters/tappets to save the wear on the camshaft...There are also specialty oils made for older technology engines but are ridulously priced and you get the same thing in fleet oil....Bill

 

Ok good thanks. I did change the oil recently and I did use the rotella t brand. I was glad you said that brand, so I didn't have to drain it and add something else. Thank you again.

Vinnie

 

Well I just found out what happens when you use the wrong oil in these older engines. I was getting ready to put on my intake, I took off the vally pan and the cam shaft, lifters, push rods and rockers are toasted. everything is pitted, and the cam shaft has even got some flats on it. this father son project car just got exspenssive.

 

check out ZDDplus.com it has your zinc. been using it for years. do NOT believe all thats said to not use addives, some times it is ok.

 

If you can afford it ? upgrade to roller lifters

 

If you use a flat tappet cam when you replace the one that is toast make sure you follow the breakin process to the letter...alot of people have ruined new cams not following the proceedure...Lucas additive has a failure/replacement warranty...Bill

 

using the rottella oil used to be a option but there have been recent changes to this oil and its not good to use it for that anymore.If you want to protect your flat tappet cam during break in . be sure its clean then spray it with a graphite lube some engine builders are doing this now the graphite gives the cam a texture that the assembly lube sticks to better and wont come off so fast, spray the bottom of lifters too then apply lube.as far as oil goes Kendall 20-50 has been my oil in my mopar always alot of old school mopar guys like myself have used it for years it has the added zinc you need.Kendall has always been a preformance based company and a supporter of mopars.Give it a try

 

Dave, are you saying Kendall oil has enough zinc in it already and you dont have to use zinc additives??? Does it have the same amount as in the old days...The other option here is to switch the cam and lifters to a roller cam and lifters but will cost some $$$$$$ to do..Who makes synthetic oil with zinc or can you just use synthetic oil instead of zinc enriched oil???Bill

 

Yea bill the label on this oil reads as follows--specially forumalted for competion engines and hi preformance street engines including those with flat tappet camshafts contains high level of zddp plus kendalls liquid titauium additive.its a super good oil and is around $6 bucks a guart

 

Thanks Dave...Bill

 

BE safe and just use a zinc additive. It's cheap insurance.. Rotella is still a good oil. does not have as much zinc as it had in years past

 

no problem bill its good to share info on products that have proven themselves.I once saw a piston out of a motor that had blown up badly it had a floating pin and the rod was twisted and had been sitting outside beside this guys garage in a pile of old parts for several years in the weather and the pin still moved like the day it was removed free as it could be that motor had only used kendall oil in it

 

Thank you all for the great info, I am still not sure if I am going to stick with flat tappet or up grade to a roller cam just doing a lot of research right now.

 

open wallet wide

 

Yeah that's what I am seeing double the cost of a flat tappet.

 

Thanks for asking this question, I have a 1973 Dart Swinger with a 318 with a 340 setup and have been using Castrol GTX 10W 40, should I use something different on my next oil change? I live in SC where the weather is very mild now and hot in the sunmmer.

Thanks