Quote:
Originally Posted by rdorman
While there are tons of reasons why you can destroy a cam, one of the more recent hot topics has to do with zinc content. Having lost a cam myself while running Mobil 1, I have been thinking of a change. Nothing against Mobil 1... I have used it for years in my other cars with great sucess... but those cars did not have a flat tappet camshaft. My Cobra does.
I have been considering switching to Rotella T synthetic 5W-40 partly because of the zinc content. Plus it is available at darn near every truck stop in the country and at $13 a gallon (Wal-Mart), the value is hard to agrue with. So, I contacted Shell, told them of our issue and asked them for their advise. Here is their response:
"The Rotella T oils, both the conventional 15W-40 and the synthetic 5W-40, are formulated primarily for diesel engines. Although exact additive concentrations are proprietary, the Rotella T oils have a robust anti-wear additive chemistry and contain substantially more zinc than a dedicated gasoline engine oil that must meet the ILSAC GF-4 requirements for concentration of metallic and phosphorous based additives because of their effect on catalytic converters. While we have no data exclusive to flat tappet camshaft designs, we would expect the Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 to perform well in these engines."
If you care to see what the zinc content of the oil you are using is, a quick search on Google should give you the information you need.
I have also contacted Crane Cams to get their input and will post it here once received. |
I've run nothing but Rotella T 15/40W in eveything I own from my 3.5hp Briggs/Stratton garden tiller to my 475hp race car and everything in between for the last 15 or so years....
here's what I've found...
Company car # 1, 250,000 miles, no problems
Company car # 2, 385,000 and counting, no problems
05 Super duty diesel, 25,000 and counting, no problems
65 Mustang fastback, 23,000 and counting hard miles, no problems
18hp riding mower, no problems
race car, 3 race seasons, no problems,475 hp, 7000rpm chip, on track rpms stay between 3500 and 6800 for 20 to 30 minute races...
daughter's Toyota, 90000 miles and counting, no problems
wife's Taurus, 60000 and counting, no problems
Guess I'll keep using the stuff, it works for me...........
David