1950s Synthetic Oil from Valvoline

[Patrick Fant]

At oil change time, is it still preferred to stay away from synthetic oil?  In my '56 we try to use 1qt Valvoline 2-50 and 4 qts 30 weight.  Is this still the best recipe? pat

[TJ Hopland]

If that has been working so far might as well stick with it.  The only thing that would have changed over the last 10 or so years would be things like zinc so if that was the goal you may need to re evaluate but otherwise should still work as it did before. 

I don't often hear about mixing like that.  What's the theory?  You are creating a 27w-37?

[Patrick Fant]

Thx TJ - yes I see what you're saying about 27W-37.  Sounds weird now that I  am thinking about it.  Think I will just stay with 30w.  But maybe it is OK to go synthetic?  I do however add a bottle of Lucas Zinc additive to cover the need for zinc issue. pat

[Clewisiii]

I am fine with Synthetic. But I have no real personal long term use data.

[dadscad]

I've been using Amsoil in everything I've owned since 2002. Motorcycle, car,truck, tractor, down to handheld 2 stroke equipment. Their products have proven protection for me for hundreds of thousands of miles. Since 2002, I have used their oils in my 63 in every component, motor, transmission, differential and power steering. I have put about 144,000 miles overall on the 63 with about 90,000 of them using Amsoil. Their Z-ROD 10-30 is what I currently use for the 63 with a Wix filter. It's a good combination.

[35-709]

I do however add a bottle of Lucas Zinc additive to cover the need for zinc issue. pat

Too much zinc can be as bad for your engine as too little.  Be aware of how much zinc is in the oil you are using before adding an additional whole bottle of ZDDP.  1/2 bottle may be plenty enough, or none at all.  Just throwing ZDDP in figuring "if a little is good, more is better" is a good way to get in trouble.  Just a cautionary note. 

[Patrick Fant]

That's a good caution about guessing on zinc levels and the price you might pay for using too much.  Never thought of that.  I think I am going to use a non-zinc 30w and just my Lucas Zinc additive only.  That seems to be working now so I should stick with it.  Will probably see if I can find the Amsoil product.  Texas summer heat is abut to hit. pat

[Dave Shepherd]

Not sure any oil is completely "non zinc", check into this on your brand 30w.

[Jon S]

I use Pennsoil 10W/40 with the addition of ZDDP for the phosphorus and zinc requirement. There is no need to use synthetic oil in the 1950's cars. Synthetic oil didn't even exist back then. I equate it to natural rubber in tires vs synthetic rubber. The natural rubber never cracked within 6 months.

[Clewisiii]

I use Pennsoil 10W/40 with the addition of ZDDP for the phosphorus and zinc requirement. There is no need to use synthetic oil in the 1950's cars. Synthetic oil didn't even exist back then. I equate it to natural rubber in tires vs synthetic rubber. The natural rubber never cracked within 6 months.

Wether it existed or not is irrelevant to me. ATF back then had Sperm Whale oil in it. Not any more.

[Jon S]

Wether it existed or not is irrelevant to me. ATF back then had Sperm Whale oil in it. Not any more.

ATF with sperm whale was fantastic lubricant. 1950's cars were designed for Dino oil.

[dadscad]

Just because Dino oil was the only lubricant available in the 50's, doesn't mean that modern lubricants are not suitable for use in the vintage vehicle. Even your Pennzoil 10-40 is a far superior lubricant than what was available when your 58 was new. Even though synthetic lubricants were not produced for automotive use in the 50's doesn't mean that current synthetic motor oils are not suitable to use in a vintage engine. A quality full synthetic motor oil is far superior to a currently refined petroleum motor oil.

[TJ Hopland]

One thing I don't think can be gained by using synthetics in a old engine is the extended change intervals.  I think those more came from the newer tighter engine designs with tighter controls. 

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I just don't see the need for the extra cost. Let's face it, most of us put 2ish K miles/ year on these. Sometimes more, sometimes less. That doesn't even hit the original oil change interval. For me, I just don't want to leave oil in the car for years without changing it.... Maybe it's an old mindset.
Our 55 leaks so much that I couldn't afford to keep synthetic in it.
But, to each his own.
Jeff R

[Seville Life]

I've always understood synthetic oil leaked around the rubber seals in older engines?

I use Valvoline VR1 20W/50 in a '78 Seville Elegante that does regular 2400 mile round trips to the French Riviera driving between 65 and 75mph. It is superb and has some of the most highly regarded base-oil in the industry. Typically I'm doing 4500 miles a year.

Remember as well in dear old Europe we don't have zinc in the oil, we are not allowed?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

....Remember as well in dear old Europe we don't have zinc in the oil, we are not allowed?

G'day Paul,

Be interesting how long your engine will last without any Zinc, as it is necessary for Flat Tappet engines.  OR, does Synthetic Oil also protect the Lifters and Cam.   These pictured parts came from using no Zinc when the owner decided years ago to go for non-zinc oil.   The wear was horrendous.   The damage was only found following the owner complaining about rattling and poor performance in one engine, then another of his did the same.

If this is the case, then I am swapping over to Synthetic.

Bruce.  

[dadscad]

Amsoil recommends using one of their high Zinc and phosphorus oil formulas for the flat tappet engines. Their Z-Rod line is specifically formulated for vintage engines.

[Seville Life]

Rather ill-informed thing to say?

There must be tens of thousands of classic cars including Cadillacs and Rolls-Royces with flat tappet lifters across Britain and Europe running perfectly well on very good quality oil.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

So, what effect, if any, will zinc have on cars with cats? Say a 79 Deville?
Won't the zinc trash the cat?

Jeff R

[Jon S]

So, what effect, if any, will zinc have on cars with cats? Say a 79 Deville?
Won't the zinc trash the cat?

Jeff R

Doubtful unless the engine burns oil.