It's odd and a little irritating that the magazines are finally writing about ZDDP and flat tappet cams. Irritating because we have been flogging the subject on the 'net for so many years, and only now are they beginning to write about it. And I promise you they will get it wrong.



On another subject; there are two kinds of ZDDP. One is used in diesel engines and the other is for gas engines. The diesel engine stuff is, of course, not the ideal solution for gas engines. Big duh, huh? Why else would they make two kinds if one kind worked in both engines. Rotella, Delvac, etc. is the wrong kind of ZDDP. But why do I feel like so many people don't seem to know this?



Off-road motorcycle oil often has the right kind. STP oil treatment for 4 cycle engines. GM EOS used to have this, but there's conflicting information about its availability these days.



All this information is on the 'net. I hope everybody does their own research, research from primary sources, not from forums.



Good luck.




Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Pardon my skepticism, Rob, but I find it hard to listen to a person pitching their own product any more.  AMS guy was here and talked about 20-25 minutes when asked about flat tappets but did not say anything about zinc or how the AMS racing product would off set the lack of zinc.  When pressed, he admitted he only learned the talking points and really did not know the answer.  Purple Slurple response was equally as vague and evasive but he was sure the purple stuff was what was needed.  Seems chriopracters will prescribe an adjustment for the same thing a surgeon prescribes cutting. 

Ted is trying an addative and if it works may be worth the expense but as I recall about $10 an oil change and another $10 for shipping.  I, too, have a small inventory of diesel oil but now understand the diesel oils have way more detergent than should be used in gas burning flat tappet engines.  Till I have a better handle on it, will alternate between diesel w/ zddp and one of the racing oils.

TC

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

As for all this talk about oils I think I am more confused than ever! But then again, it don't take much. I recently asked an owner of a local Penzoil Lube Center what he has heard from his suppliers on the subject. He told me that Penzoil recomends the use of "Molley Slip" with their oils for flat tappet cam engines. I inquired as to what I should use in my engine as I am going to assume it is high mileage (true mileage is unknown), he recomended that due to the clearances in older motors and the fact that I do not drive the car in winter, that I should be running 20w/50 plus 2 cans of "Molley Slip" with each oil change. I am going to assume he knows what he is talking about, but I could be wrong! Now that's my 2 cents!

Rob

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

ok. I have been following the zddp topic and i keep hearing everyone using the 15/40 and 20/50 oils from like rotella and valvoline vr-1 line, and redline  but i am curious, how many of you drive your trucks in winter. see, i am in mideastern north dakota in the red river valley and well, from what i have been taught, 15/40 motor oil at 0F isnt exactly good for the motor or the starter. hard on the oil pump driveshaft.  I guess what i am asking is.  Is there any other oils that i can use in place of the 15/40 or 20/50 deisel or racing oils that still have the higher zddp content. is ther any 10/30 or 5/30 oils that still hae the higher zddp??????  also, ifther isnt any oils that work better for my climate, will slick 50 or additives like that, be an option?????  just cant afford to wipe out a cam lobe because of the wrong oil. ya know..

I received a heads up from another guy who reads but can't log onto this site.  The March '08 issue of Street Rodder Magazine has an article about engine oil and flat tappet cams.  I haven't seen it yet.  Thanks KidKourier.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"