flat tappet oil recommendations

[egchewy79]

289 HiPo flat tappet cam, rebuilt.
broken in with BR30 oil (20min at ~2000rpm, 10min varying RPM) with immediate oil change.
currently still using BR30 oil with 100mi on odometer. planning on breaking in with next oil change at 500mi.

my question is, do I need the ZDDP once the engine is broken in? conventional oil + ZDDP additive? synthetic oil + ZDDP additive?
I do not anticipate any racing applications, so no high RPM situations. Strictly street cruiser.
BR30 is pretty expensive compared to conventional and even synthetic oils and I wasn't sure if I needed this going forward.

[Gordon Levy]

Even thought the oil manufacturers say different you would be best off to continue to use ZDDP additives.

[Norm B]

I use Lucas Hot Rod & Classic oil in my flat tappet cam engine. There is no need to add ZDDP with it. $50 per oil change is a lot less work and expense than replacing the cam and lifters!

Norm

[egchewy79]

any thoughts on conventional vs synthetic (with ZDDP added, of course)?

[Bob Cowan]

I always add 1-2 bottles of Comp Cams additive with every oil change.

[Norm B]

I don't know if synthetic oil and ZDDP are compatible. If they are then, I guess it would depend on how much driving you do per season. The amount of driving I get per season only warrants one oil change per year. I do that in the fall before the car gets stored for the winter. That way the engine doesn't sit long with the contaminates built up from driving. In the spring (right about now), the car comes out of storage, gets greased and a thorough inspection but, doesn't require an oil change.
Maybe Gordon knows if synthetic and ZDDP are compatible.

Norm

[GoDadGo]

Here's some information from Valvoline Racing:

https://www.valvoline.com/about-us/faq/racing-oil-faq

[egchewy79]

I'll likely end up using the Lucas hot rod oil. 8qt capacity, so almost doubles the cost of an oil change.

[GoDadGo]

I'll likely end up using the Lucas hot rod oil. 8qt capacity, so almost doubles the cost of an oil change.

The Good News Is That A Lucas Oil Change Is Far Cheaper Than An Engine Rebuild!

The attached string was something that I started regarding Rotella Oils that has some good info and great forum member responses:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?39386-Rotella-Engine-Oils-Are-Any-Of-You-Using-This-Stuff-In-Your-Factory-5-Cars&highlight=rotella

[CraigS]

I always add 1-2 bottles of Comp Cams additive with every oil change.

I agree. Changing oil twice per year w/ Mobil1 from Walmart and keeping a couple of bottles of CC additive on hand is easy. They are small and don't weigh much, so I just add a couple to a Summit order once in a while.

[davekp]

The Corvette guys with flat tappet engines favor Shell Rotella 5W40 synthetic, which has the desired ZDDP levels. It is a diesel oil available at Walmart. There is also a Mobil ! synthetic that has higher ZDDP levels.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The Corvette guys with flat tappet engines favor Shell Rotella 5W40 synthetic, which has the desired ZDDP levels. It is a diesel oil available at Walmart. There is also a Mobil ! synthetic that has higher ZDDP levels.

I wouldn’t even THINK about a synthetic (actually that is a blend but nonetheless) with only 100 miles on the clock.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

Diesel oil is an excellent choice. I have used diesel oil in all my engines for over 40 years, except now with the modular engines. I use synthetic in my F150 as that is required by Ford. I will not use synthetic in any old style pushrod motor, I believe it will cause leaks

[egchewy79]

I wouldn’t even THINK about a synthetic (actually that is a blend but nonetheless) with only 100 miles on the clock.

Jeff

just thinking ahead and out loud.
will be running the BR30 until 500mi and then changing afterwards.

any concerns about the ZDDP with my O2 sensor from my FiTech?

[jwhit]

this is what i would recomend
https://www.amsoil.com/p/z-rod-10w-30-synthetic-motor-oil-zrt/

[egchewy79]

this is what i would recomend
https://www.amsoil.com/p/z-rod-10w-30-synthetic-motor-oil-zrt/

I was hoping to find a more economic oil change, not a more expensive one :)

[GoDadGo]

Consider running Rotella T4, T5 or T6 after you get through your break-in period.
I've seen the T5 at Walmart in 10W30 in addition to the 15W40 and it is very inexpensive.

https://youtu.be/0Ml6vDdt2ig

I'm currently running Comp Cams 10W30 until I hit the 1,000 mile mark.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1590-12

[first time builder]

You will probably only do one oil change per season, use what best for the engine ! Fiquire less expensive vs most expensive is maybe 30 $ for a whole season of fun !!!

[rich grsc]

Instead of waisting the $30 on over priced oil, put it into the gas tank, then you'll have more fun. As the oil get changed with such low milage it's ridiculous to use oil that is intended for high milage between oil changes.

[davekp]

I wouldn’t even THINK about a synthetic (actually that is a blend but nonetheless) with only 100 miles on the clock.

Jeff

I agree, but his question was for after break-in.

[Bob Cowan]

I don't know if synthetic oil and ZDDP are compatible.
Norm

Yes, they are. No problem mixing the two products.


The Corvette guys with flat tappet engines favor Shell Rotella 5W40 synthetic, which has the desired ZDDP levels. It is a diesel oil available at Walmart. There is also a Mobil ! synthetic that has higher ZDDP levels.

Many diesels come with cats now. Some years ago the amount of zinc in diesel oils was significantly reduced. If you have a flat tappet cam, it's not really enough to keep the lifters alive. Same thing with Mobile 1. Anything made for a street car will have little or no zinc in it.





any concerns about the ZDDP with my O2 sensor from my FiTech?

No. The zinc can damage cats, but not a problem with O2 sensors.

[Lickity-Split]

Here's some information from Valvoline Racing:

https://www.valvoline.com/about-us/faq/racing-oil-faq

I run Valvoline VR-1 racing oil in my bracket race car (20/50). After standard freshening at 300 passes the bearings still always look brand new.

It has plenty of ZDDP for your flat tappet cam, and comes in 10w30 weight for you 289. It's also usually about $7 a quart at your local auto parts store.

[GFX2043mtu]

Flat tappet cams need ZDDP, get Pen Grade 1 or Joe Gibbs hot rod oil and be done with it.

[McGuyver]

I second the Valvoline VR-1, I run the 10/30 and add a bottle of zddp to boot. This is in a Grand National with a flat tappet cam. Bob is correct, they have been lowering the zddp content because it does not play well with cats..

[first time builder]

I agree 100% , 30$ per year x ten years is 300 $ what does a wiped out cam/lifters cost ? And after the wiped cam, where did you think the metal shavings went ?

[egchewy79]

I hear you guys loud and clear. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Looks like a qt of ZDDP oil ranges from $7-$13, depending on the brand, conventional vs synthetic, etc.
Looks like Amsoil makes a synthetic w/ ZDDP additive as well
https://blog.amsoil.com/do-older-vehicles-need-high-zinc-motor-oil/

[ScottR]

How about using old school STP? If I remember correctly it was designed to reduce cam lobe wear.