Zinc additive w/zinc in the oil??

[Moparnocar]

Uncle Tony has a new vid up about wiping out cams

In the comments, 1 guy said he had read that adding zinc to oil that already has zinc, can do more harm then good

Any good research on this?

 

[khryslerkid]

Talking with one of the Brad Penn reps, he stated not to add extra. The formula is designed with the correct amount already. Now that's for oil that is specifically formulated for flat tappet cams.

I guess if you choose to use oil that doesn't contain ZDDP then an additive would be necessary. I'm not a chemist so I'll stick with the oil that's already formulated.

If you're breaking in a new cam I'd suggest useing a "break in" oil designed for that purpose.

 

[Slap Stick]

I don't know of any oil that has zero ZDDP.
There is a limit on it but its not sufficient for breaking in a new cam.
So you add the break in additive (ZDDP) and then drain the oil after break in.
Or you use the break in oil with the added ZDDP in it.
Your LIFTERS will thank you.

 

[GITEX]

Went to summit today, They are now selling their house brand with ZDDP for 6.99 a quart.

 

[Moparnocar]

Went to summit today, They are now selling their house brand with ZDDP for 6.99 a quart.

That's a good deal, my question is if adding zinc on top causes a issue?

 

[steve340]

I believe adding zinc to oil with it already present does not give any extra protection but can cause the oil to go acidic and it can damage the engine bearings and cam bearings.
I looked in to this a fair bit and general consensus is to use oil with ZDDP blended in to it and not to use an additive especially while breaking in a cam.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Talking with one of the Brad Penn reps, he stated not to add extra. The formula is designed with the correct amount already. Now that's for oil that is specifically formulated for flat tappet cams.

I guess if you choose to use oil that doesn't contain ZDDP then an additive would be necessary. I'm not a chemist so I'll stick with the oil that's already formulated.

If you're breaking in a new cam I'd suggest useing a "break in" oil designed for that purpose.

I use Valvoline VR1 Racing oil in 10W30 to break in a new cam and have had no problems. I use no additional additives. After that depending on the tolerances the engine is built to I may change the weight of the oil, but stick with the brand.

 

[toolmanmike]

Talking with one of the Brad Penn reps, he stated not to add extra. The formula is designed with the correct amount already. Now that's for oil that is specifically formulated for flat tappet cams.

I guess if you choose to use oil that doesn't contain ZDDP then an additive would be necessary. I'm not a chemist so I'll stick with the oil that's already formulated.

If you're breaking in a new cam I'd suggest useing a "break in" oil designed for that purpose.

Exactly! Brad Penn yes. Most oils no. I use Valvoline conventional with Rislone ZDDP additive. Most oils have zinc but 1000 ppm. or less. 1200 ppm and up is a good number. If you run a roller cam (and rockers) you can run pretty much anything.

 

[Slap Stick]

Adding zinc to oil is a short term thing for break in.

Iirc oils used to have 1200-1400 ppm generally speaking and now its about half that or so.
What if you added enough to bring it back up where it used to be?
Would you say that is harmful to the engine?
And I can tell ya if you don't have the good stuff in the break in oil with flat lifters you are gambling.
Especially if you have a big cam with high spring pressures.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Adding zinc to oil is a short term thing for break in.

Iirc oils used to have 1200-1400 ppm generally speaking and now its about half that or so.
What if you added enough to bring it back up where it used to be?
Would you say that is harmful to the engine?
And I can tell ya if you don't have the good stuff in the break in oil with flat lifters you are gambling.
Especially if you have a big cam with high spring pressures.

I agree on the spring pressures. I did break in the cam on a 440-6 engine and MP 509 cam with lighter pressure springs.

 

[steve from staten island]

Does Diesel engine oil have higher amounts of Zinc?

 

[snakeoil24]

Adding zip and molybdenum must be accompanied by the correct surfactant "suspending agent". The problem lies with these heavy metals falling out of suspension almost immediately. Blending oils is a precise science. Avoid separate additives for this reason alone.

 

[Moparnocar]

Adding zip and molybdenum must be accompanied by the correct surfactant "suspending agent". The problem lies with these heavy metals falling out of suspension almost immediately. Blending oils is a precise science. Avoid separate additives for this reason alone.

Interesting, good to knows, after break-in you DO NOT need zinc? I understoid it was all the time

 

[steve340]

ZDDP is always needed for a flat tappet cam but after run in you can get away with less.

 

[snakeoil24]

Necessary all the time also to protect cylinder walls

 

[Jerry Hall]

Interesting, good to knows, after break-in you DO NOT need zinc? I understoid it was all the time

All the oils had zinc in the day when these cars were new, so I still use it, needed or not. The sorry materials they use today make it necessary IMO.

 

[Moparnocar]

Necessary all the time also to protect cylinder walls

That's the first I've heard of that, how? My understanding is zinc is a cushion lubricant for higher metal on metal friction under pressure ( like lifters)

 

[road chicken]

Personally I think it's a sales thing. I have used Mobile 1 on all my builds, including break in and never had a problem. All flat tappets, and broken in with ...get this... Lithium grease. Say what you will but I have done 6 engines like this and never wiped a lobe or lifter. I have a cam or two on the shelf I swapped out and they look perfect. These are mild performance cams with stock valve gear and a step it two higher springs. The engines are all still running, ( the oldest has 55k on it now), no excessive oil use an they aren't babied all the time. Just my experience.

https://tech.drivenracingoil.com/zinc-in-motor-oil/

 

[Dennis H]

High quality oil needs no additive.

 

[snakeoil24]

Zinc helps build film stability to protect cams and the combo of zinc and moly provide corrosion fighting properties for cylinder walls