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Old 10-05-2019, 08:12 AM   #1
1929
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Default ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

Costco has the Rotella 15W 40 on sale for $10 a gallon. It comes in a three gallon package-$29.99.
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Old 10-05-2019, 08:53 AM   #2
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

Keeps the truckers happy too. Big diesels need a lot of oil.
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Old 10-05-2019, 11:11 AM   #3
Jim Brierley
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

That is for diesel engines, not recommended by oil companies for gasoline engines.
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Old 10-05-2019, 11:14 AM   #4
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
That is for diesel engines, not recommended by oil companies for gasoline engines.
Why not use it in gasoline engines, Jim? I suspect oil companies of a simple marketing ploy - but happy to be proved wrong(!)

Last edited by johnbuckley; 10-05-2019 at 11:32 AM.
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Old 10-05-2019, 11:59 AM   #5
30 Closed Cab PU
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
That is for diesel engines, not recommended by oil companies for gasoline engines.


Rotella diesel oil should never be used in modern cars with catalytic converters and exhaust sensors as zinc/etc damages those components. From what I have read, Diesel oil is OK for our older cars, and the zinc may be beneficial.


My reading also indicates that modern low Zinc oils are OK to use in older cars since they are formulated with different ingredients as a replacement for Zinc.


My opinion, hope this does not start teh great oil/zinc debates again.
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Old 10-05-2019, 01:12 PM   #6
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
That is for diesel engines, not recommended by oil companies for gasoline engines.
Jim, Iam only using it because my engine rebuilder at Schwalms told me to use it.
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Old 10-11-2019, 07:14 AM   #7
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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That is for diesel engines, not recommended by oil companies for gasoline engines.

What oil do you recommend?
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Old 10-05-2019, 11:30 AM   #8
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

That is what I use in my A. Been running it for about 12 years.
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Old 10-05-2019, 01:17 PM   #9
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

I use synthetic 15-40 have forever
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Old 10-05-2019, 02:06 PM   #10
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

Superior shear,load and detergent factor. You can get a low ash spec if you want to run it in a modern car,later diesels use a DPF,subject to the same problems as modern cars using earlier versions of diesel grade engine oil.

Shear factor resists wiping effect of piston rings and cam lifter contact.

Load factor is the ability of the oil to handle pressure of rod and main bearings and cam bores.

High detergent factor means debris stay suspended in the oil instead of depositing on the parts,resulting in a cleaner engine and no sludge.
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Old 10-05-2019, 02:12 PM   #11
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

Hallo!
"Rotella" oils are some of the few engine oils Shell manufactures specifically for diesel fuels. Unlike the same 15W/40 shell oil for gasoline engines, Rotella blends contain an increased proportion of high pressure additives, other cleaning additives, and less corrosion inhibitor / TBN neutralizer.

It's no problem to use Rotella in old-fashioned petrol engines. But there are no benefits. On the contrary. This results in more combustion residues and the lower corrosion protection / antixidants require shorter replacement intervals.
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Old 10-06-2019, 01:57 PM   #12
Jeff/Illinois
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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Hallo!
"Rotella" oils are some of the few engine oils Shell manufactures specifically for diesel fuels. Unlike the same 15W/40 shell oil for gasoline engines, Rotella blends contain an increased proportion of high pressure additives, other cleaning additives, and less corrosion inhibitor / TBN neutralizer.

It's no problem to use Rotella in old-fashioned petrol engines. But there are no benefits. On the contrary. This results in more combustion residues and the lower corrosion protection / antixidants require shorter replacement intervals.
Well said Werner.
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:38 PM   #13
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

That's an air filter !! ??


I'd be asking Jim Brierley for suggestions to improve that.
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Old 10-06-2019, 03:35 PM   #14
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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That's an air filter !! ??


I'd be asking Jim Brierley for suggestions to improve that.
Why do I have to ask Jim, obviously you must have a reason or an answer why the air filter is not good.
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Old 10-06-2019, 04:16 PM   #15
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

Jim Brierley is the performance guru of the Model A having successfully 'run them' at Bonneville.


A stock era Air Maze on a stock Model A has been proven to actually restrict air flow thru a stock A carburetor.


From your photo you have a lot of performance breathing going on from headers, trick intake manifold, and a perfectly adequate Stromberg....all to be choked by possibly too small a flowing air cleaner.


Just a suggestion.....but excuse me, all this has nothing to do with motor oil.
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Old 10-05-2019, 06:20 PM   #16
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

I've used Rotella 15w40 in some of my model A's with no problem . I figure the 15 is a bit thin . I use Walmart 20W50 I figure that the 50 will better cushion the bearings on an eighty eight year old engine . I also use it in the professional rebuilt engine in another of my model A's .
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Old 10-10-2019, 03:16 PM   #17
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft View Post
I've used Rotella 15w40 in some of my model A's with no problem . I figure the 15 is a bit thin . I use Walmart 20W50 I figure that the 50 will better cushion the bearings on an eighty eight year old engine . I also use it in the professional rebuilt engine in another of my model A's .
15w40 is only "thin" when the oil is cold which is a good thing because it flows to the bearings faster at start up. 15w40 oil doesn't stay at 15 when the engine warms up. When the engine is at operating temperature it is 40.
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Old 10-10-2019, 04:10 PM   #18
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

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15w40 is only "thin" when the oil is cold which is a good thing because it flows to the bearings faster at start up. 15w40 oil doesn't stay at 15 when the engine warms up. When the engine is at operating temperature it is 40.


No harm meant , I know that with multi viscosity oils that the only time that the low number is used is when the oil is cold . Thin oil flows quicker .Usually a cold engine will have more clearance than a hot engine and can be subject to knocks at start up . It doesn't get very cold where I live . I would prefer 20W for cold flow here .. Quick flow isn't the only thing that is important . I feel that more viscosity to a point will better cushion the bearings . The owners manual recommends 20W in winter and 40W in summer . 20W 40 would be ideal . I feel that 50w would be good for older engines with some wear . I feel that most engines over 85 years old will have some wear unless they have been rebuilt recently . I use 20W50 and it seems to work well for me .
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Old 10-05-2019, 06:29 PM   #19
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

I use Rotella 15w40 in my engine. In Alaska's colder climate I don't think the 15 is too thin as it would be in a much warmer Alabama.
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Old 10-06-2019, 08:53 AM   #20
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: ROTELLA 15W 40 Oil

[QUOTE=CarlG;1806707]I use Rotella 15w40 in my engine. In Alaska's colder climate I don't think the 15 is too thin as it would be in a much warmer Alabama.[/QUOTE

]I agree .
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