ZINC Oil Chart Configurations

[62maxx]

Greetings,

here is a helpful chart to consider zinc flat tappet oil (ppm's) for your engine.

 

[62maxx]

This might be better clarity....

 

[Strato58]

Racing and ClassicCar are too high. Maybe the 0-30 is good.

 

[66 Sat]

Racing and ClassicCar are too high. Maybe the 0-30 is good.

"Too high"? Based on what?

Surely the oil manufacturer/supplier knows more than us?

 

[Don Frelier]

I've been using the Hot Rod oil for years.
No issues.

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

Valvoline VR1 here 20w50

 

[66 Sat]

VR1 used to have 1300-1400ppm of Zinc, but apparently is now 1100ppm.

In Australia most of the classic car crowd seem to use Penrite HPR-30 which has Zinc at 1600ppm.

From what I've read too much zinc (over 1000ppm) damages catalytic converters, but is there an upper limit for non-cat engines?

Some light reading for those interested https://penriteoil.com.au/assets/tech_pdfs/1Zinc Myths & Legends Nov 2014.pdf

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

I get the zinc properties are important but for me as little as I drive my classic VR1 suits my needs

 

[Strato58]

"Too high"? Based on what?

Surely the oil manufacturer/supplier knows more than us?


Based on some reading that 2000ppm is actually detrimental and corrosive to the engine causing pitting.
There are so many differing opinions on this topic its crazy. I really dont think anyone knows truly what is actually best including the manufacturers.

 

[OKDart]

From what I gather from oil info overload on the internet is: don't use API SN oil (2010-2020) on flat tappet engines and direct injection engines. API SP (2020-now) was reformulated with different levels of detergents and works better with flat tappet cams.

 

[OKDart]

Here's an interesting video, the cam used in the testing was made by Comp cams to wear faster than normal. Go to minute mark 16:30, they show the cam after testing, Most oils were API SP.

 

[theamcguy]

This maybe even better https://www.lucasoil.com/pdf/Zinc-Values-Motorcycle-Oil.pdf

 

[Outlawd]

With my older hotrods I just add a pint of Lucas Oil zink additive at each oil change no matter what oil brand I use and no problems no worries, keep it simple guys.

 

[Strato58]

With my older hotrods I just add a pint of Lucas Oil zink additive at each oil change no matter what oil brand I use and no problems no worries, keep it simple guys.

Normally you'd think that would do it but now what I've been seeing is adding any additional additive to a good oil upsets its additive package and actually make the oil much worse. The more I research this oil stuff the more confusing it gets.