A Question for My Fellow Classic Owning Opponauts

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 09/29/2014 at 21:35 • Filed to: None

1

15

My Corvair leaks oil like a sieve, hence the cardboard. The previous owner seemed pretty damn good, but I like to get my own oil into a car shortly after I purchase it.

I've been reading a lot about what oils people use in their classics, and the common theme seems to be a desire for high zinc content. The easiest way to get that seems to be to use a diesel motor oil, like a Shell Rotella.

Besides that, I've heard good things about Amsoil Z-Rod, and Royal Purple has some CI-4 certified grades that are supposed to be good.

So, what's in your oil pan?

CB > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 21:39

0

All I know is that I see labels for Castrol 5w-50 with "specifically formulated for classic cars" written on it. Might be worth checking out.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 21:40

0

I use Halfords own brand 'classic' 20W50. Not sure what the 'Murcan equivalent is, but you did ask :)

Sweet Trav > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 21:44

1

Valvoline VR-1 or Kendall GT-1 both have high ZDDP content.

crowmolly > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 21:44

2

Valvoline VR1 10w30. Proven and not too tough to get at NAPA.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CB 09/29/2014 at 21:45

0

5w-50, that's a new one for me. I use Castrol in the Jag, so I'm partial to their products. My local parts stores are terrible, so I'd have to order it.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 21:46

0

Castrol GTX conventional 20w-50 in the 02. Highly recommended for my car, and I'd bet it would work just fine for yours.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > crowmolly 09/29/2014 at 21:46

0

That's one of the ones that the Corvair guys I've talked to have mentioned, plus a 10w30 is really what I'm looking for.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 21:47

0

I run Rotella in the Rover, because it's a low-speed cast iron tractor engine with 7:1 compression.

Bonus: can be bought for a reasonable price at Tractor Supply here in town by the quart, precluding the need to buy gallon jugs.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 09/29/2014 at 21:48

1

If it's good enough for a two double o two, it's gotta be Corvair worthy. I haven't used regular old GTX in years, it would be nice to stop paying 9 dollars a quart for oil though, haha.

deekster_caddy > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 22:02

2

Valvoline VR-1, easiest to find locally. 20w50 has the highestzinc content of Valvoline racing oil, but depends which motor I'm filling. The MG likes the 20w50, the buick 455 seems to like a 10w40 best...

deekster_caddy > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 22:03

1

You can also buy it separately as an additive, look up "zddpplus" or something.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 22:21

1

http://www.penngrade1.com/Default.aspx

Buy American and all that stuff. The guys at The Roadster Factory hipped me to them.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 09/29/2014 at 22:25

1

I've heard good things about Brad Penn. Plus, my dad used to buy TR6 parts from The Roadster Factory back in the day.

sdwarf36 > Sweet Trav 09/29/2014 at 23:50

1

Irony: Having someone named King of Spun Bearings giving oiling advice.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/30/2014 at 00:28

0

In my 914 20w-50 Valvoline racing. I've been thinking of going to Brad Penn, curious how the Porsche oil gets rated by the VW community.

Older cars tend to require higher zinc content that was reduced in the later 70s, as it would gum up catalytic converters.

if its leaking I would check to see if some the gaskets are dry rotted. even if the owner was good rubber only lasts so long. At first mine did leak, I thought I found the mythical unicorn of non leaking vw engines. then after about the third time it just started pissing out. I was redoing all the seals so no big deal at that point.

i would check the pushrod tubes seals. They get exposed to a lot of heat. some places even sell collapse able push rod tubes, but i don't know how well they work.