Amsoil Z-Rod Oil

[GoDadGo]

Hey Gang,

Have any of you used Amsoil's Z-Rod Oils in your Flat Tappet cam shafted cars?
I've used their motorcycle oils in my bikes for years, but never in my automobiles, opting for Mobile-1 instead.
I am also looking at the old tried and true Valvolene (VR-1) Racing Oil as well.

Steve

https://youtu.be/svZX2BMSDEs

[BEAR-AvHistory]

You need to check any "racing oil" additive mix. Most true race oils are not suitable for street use in a DD. Typically they are too light on detergent content & are meant for short duration fills.

Some oils are called racing oil for marketing reasons but are good for the street. Just makes it harder to sort out what to use.

[Ray]

I run the Valvoline Racing oil and have for years. Any oil with ZDDP (?) should work but my engine builder recommended Valvoline.

Ray

[GoDadGo]

I run the Valvoline Racing oil and have for years. Any oil with ZDDP (?) should work but my engine builder recommended Valvoline.

Ray

I called Comp Cams & they suggested the Valvoline VR-1 oil after break in.
They were not fans of using a full synthetic oil stating that most were too slippery.

[CraigS]

I called Comp Cams & they suggested the Valvoline VR-1 oil after break in.
They were not fans of using a full synthetic oil stating that most were too slippery.

Wow, I didn't know an oil could be too slippery in an engine. In a trans, where the synchros can be less effective w/ too slippery oil, I understand from personal experience. But in an engine? About a year ago I installed my 408W w/ Comp Cams flat tappet cam. Used their break-in oil plus a can of break-in additive. At 200 mi, I changed to a name brand regular oil plus their additive. At 500 I changed to Mobil1 plus additive. Engine is fine after a season of autocrosses and about 3500 miles.

[rich grsc]

I called Comp Cams & they suggested the Valvoline VR-1 oil after break in.
They were not fans of using a full synthetic oil stating that most were too slippery.

I wonder if that was the same tech who told me no one uses steel gears on distributers because no one manufactured billet cams ????.

[GoDadGo]

Wow, I didn't know an oil could be too slippery in an engine. In a trans, where the synchros can be less effective w/ too slippery oil, I understand from personal experience. But in an engine? About a year ago I installed my 408W w/ Comp Cams flat tappet cam. Used their break-in oil plus a can of break-in additive. At 200 mi, I changed to a name brand regular oil plus their additive. At 500 I changed to Mobil1 plus additive. Engine is fine after a season of autocrosses and about 3500 miles.

The Too Slippery Thing Blew Me Away Also!

Never thought an oil could lubricate too well.
The tech then added that the ZDDP created a cushion between the lifter and the cam, but that it helped the lifter to rotate by giving it a little friction to spin up the cam ramp.
I personally love Mobil products and prior to that ran the Exxon Uniflow way, way, way back in the day.

Now I'm Scratching My Head & Thinking Hmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Steve

[PeteH]

I've been using conventional Valvoline VR1 20-50 oil in three vintage flat tappet cam engines for years. I have also used Castrol 20-50 and added a bottle of ZDDP additive. I purposely converted to roller lifters in the 289 build specifically to get away from the worry about lobe wear/ ZDDP additives.