Quote:
Originally Posted by flatjack9
I don't see a problem with using synthetic in a Flathead. Probably not on an old well worn engine. But we build these engines today with pretty close tolerances, just like any modern engine. And I don't like using diesel oil in a Flathead either. It is not formulated like a gas engine oil.
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Don't be fooled,
Shell Rotella T, the original Rotella T is exactly the oil that everybody
bought and used (irregardless of name brand) up until about 1980
when the SAE/API specifications were updated due to catalytic converters
The original Rotella T may be popular in Diesel engines today yet it was
amongst the most popular SAE/API spec
gasoline engine oils ever run
threw Detroit steel up until we were handed the new spec oils 35 years
ago.
Our Flatheads have not changed and neither has the original Shell Rotella T
oil.
Almost every oil/manufacturer on the market today has updated their
current engine oil offerings to newer SAE/API specs except for a few like
Shell, Which still offers us the original formula of Rotella T that would
have been/is equivalent in spec to/as pre 1979~ Chevron Delo, Royal
Purple, Mobil Delvac, Valvoline premium, Citgo Citgard, Connoco Phillips
76, Castrol Tech etc.
The newer Rotella T3 is the original blend somewhat updated but still
to pre 1980 API/SFI specs featuring the original high ZDDP and high
phosphorus contents that all oils held up until the advent of catalytic converters.
If you wish to run the closest thing to what every piece of American steel
was born and bread on for more than 75 years, then you will not get anything closer
than the original Single grade conventional oil—in SAE 20, 30, 40 and 50
Rotella T with it's pre 1979~ specifications that is still popular on the
gasoline/racing/turbocharging/diesel/farm/motorcycle market today..
(Or T3 in multi-grades)
Personally, I have been running Synthetic oils in almost every vehicle I
have owned since 1984 including and at times, Model A's, Flathead V8's
and always daily drivers.
I have owned about 65 classic cars and trucks in that time and generally
commute (up to) 60,000 miles a year with daily drivers.
I do oil changes on vehicles every September before the snow flies,
(Including the Flatheads and Bangers) and this is what I bought to get
me thru winter 2015.
My 28 Model A got the Rotella T3 and the Flathead V8's all got synthetic.
I have a 1979 LTD Special (Fire Chiefs Car with lights) that has a leaky
rear seal so it got regular non synthetic oil and will do so until I fix the
seal.
.
Don't be scared of Rotella T, Rotella T3 , Chevron Delo,
or the excellent money saving Synthetic oils that you can run for
10,000+ miles whether it's your daily driver or even in Flatheads.
Consider this; the new Synthetic oils are being used in Heavy Truck applications
today and the manufacturers recommended oil change interval on
most semi's is between 25,000 and 40,000 miles using one oil filter.
All Synthetic oils surpass Rotella T in engine protection while offering
superior adherence to on-spec weight/viscosity for many more thousands of miles/hours.
That is to say that they will remain to be an on spec W30 viscosity oil for 10 times longer than a similiar non synthetic 30 weight oil (which
tends to thin rapidly with age after roughly ~2000 miles).
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/...ange-intervals
Rotella T and Rotella T3 is a high ZDDP and High Phosphorus Content
oil compatible with older engines with or without flat tappet cams and/or
hardened valve seats just as it was prior to 1980.
======================================
Shell Rotella T
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shell Rotella T is a line of heavy duty engine lubrication products
produced by Shell Oil Company. The line includes engine oils, gear oils
and coolants. The oil carries both the American Petroleum Institute (API)
diesel "C" rating as well as the API gasoline engine "S" rating. Ratings
differ based on the oil. Rotella oils like T3 15w-40 meets both the API
CJ-4 and SM specifications, and may be used in both gasoline and diesel
engines. However, it is formulated specifically for vehicles without
catalytic converters, containing phosphorus levels
beyond the
600-800ppm range.[1] Therefore, Rotella is not recommended for gasoline
vehicles with catalytic converters due to the higher risk of damaging
these emission controls.[2] Newer formulations of Rotella T6 however are
API SM rated as safe for pre-2011 gasoline vehicles.
Product lineup
In the engine oil family, there are four basic oil sub-families:
- Multigrade conventional oil—in SAE 10W-30 and 15W-40 viscosity
- ranges
- Multigrade synthetic oil—in SAE 5W-40
- Single grade conventional oil—in SAE 20, 30, 40 and 50
- Synthetic blend oil
Both the multigrade conventional oil (10W-30 and 15W-40) and the
synthetic SAE 5W-40 meet the newest API certification of CJ-4/SM.
Shell is marketing their new CJ-4/SM oil as "Triple Protection," meaning it
provides enhanced qualities for engine wear, soot control and engine
cleanliness. Shell's Rotella website indicates that on-road testing
confirms the new Triple Protection technology produces better anti-wear
characteristics than their existing CI-4+ rated Rotella oil.
This is achieved despite a lower zinc and phosphorus additive level as
called for by the API CJ-4 specification. (The 15W-40 Rotella T with Triple
Protection oil has approximately
1200 ppm of zinc and 1100 ppm
phosphorus at the time of manufacture.)
Competitors
Rotella competes with similar lubrication products from other oil
manufacturers. Some notable competitive products are:
- ConocoPhillips 76 Lubricants Guardol ECT w/ Liquid Titanium
- Mobil Delvac
- Chevron Delo
- Petro-Canada Duron
- CITGO Citgard
- Royal Purple
- Valvoline Premimum Blue
- Castrol Tection
Motorcycle usage
Though marketed as an engine oil for diesel trucks, Rotella oil has found
popularity with motorcyclists as well. The lack of "friction modifiers" in
Rotella means they do not interfere with wet clutch operations.
This is called a "shared sump" design, which is unlike automobiles which
maintain separate oil reservoirs - one for the engine and one for the
transmission. Used oil analysis (UOA) reports on BobIsTheOilGuy.com
have shown wear metals levels comparable to oils marketed as
motorcycle-specific.
Use in turbocharged cars
Likewise with motorcycles, though marketed as an engine oil for diesel
trucks, Rotella T6 5w-40 synthetic oil has also found popularity with
drivers and tuners of gasoline powered vehicles that utilize turbocharging
or other forms of forced induction. Several owners of high performance
model cars have adopted its use due to its high heat tolerance and its
resistance to shearing. Rotella T6 is a Non Energy Conserving Oil, and
does not meet GF-5 Oil specifications. When Rotella T6 was revised for
the API specification(for use in spark ignition motors), its Zinc levels
were effectively reduced. Higher(content) Zinc Additives(ZDDP) are
required for flat tappet engines and cartridge bearings, which In previous
formulations Rotella T6 had desirable levels of Zinc(ZDDP).