Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4577 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
I'm curious to know what you guys are using, and why.
For my carbureted Buick 215, I used conventional Castrol 20w-50 until switching to Valvoline VR-1 20w-50 (conventional) racing oil just a couple years ago to get a (presumably) higher ZDDP level on the assumption my flat tappet camshaft might benefit. In either case, I changed oil rather frequently (at least in terms of miles). Engine internals appeared spotless when I upgraded cylinder heads a couple years ago. ~35,000 miles since rebuild. Plenty of oil pressure. No significant oil consumption, though my rear main seal has always leaked. Plenty of cooling capacity. Functional PCV system. Now, I have EFI installed, and I'm considering trying a synthetic oil. I figure I might try a longer oil change interval since presumably less gasoline is contaminating my oil at start-up. Maybe I'll change my oil every two or three years instead of once a year whether it needs it or not;) Also, I wonder if thinner viscosity oil might give me noticeably better fuel economy. Your thoughts? |
MG four six eight Bill Jacobson Wa state (324 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 02:15AM Main British Car: 73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
Curtis,
Oil threads seem to turn in to a hotly debated item on most forums! But for what it's worth I use Mobil 1 10w30, although I do break the engine in on conventional oil first. Mainly I use it because I've always had good luck with Mobil 1 in my daily driver's that are now approaching 200k on the odometer. Normally I will pick it up on sale at Costco for $10 off per case. I your bearing clearances are good, then you should be able to use a thinner weight oil for a possible increase in fuel economy and power. Modern engines use thinner oil for that very reason. I still change my oil at 3500 - 4000 miles though. I'm not a big believer in extended oil changes.With every engine that I've torn down at work for premature wear , it's always been the same story. The owner didn't change they're oil often enough. Bill Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2014 01:15AM by MG four six eight. |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1165 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
Been using 10W30 synthetic in my Ford engine for a number of years now - no particular brand but usually Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntec. Hard to say if there are any performance/engine benefits but it allows the extended oil change interval to one drving season.
Oil & filter get changed every Winter before the next driving season. |
roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
Not in a RV8-but, I've been having good results with Valvolene synthetic blend/hi mileage.Good price at Wally,. FWIW, roverman.
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MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4512 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
I used to believe in Mobil 1. Until I found out Exxon/ Mobil switched most of their product it to dino base stock (group III vs group IV) like Castol after they lost the lawsuit. If you are going to run synthetic use Amsoil.
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mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2463 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
I'm with Art, Valvoline synthetic blend High Mileage 10/40 in my 190,000 mile F150. Don't have a Buick/Rover at this time but, if I did I would use it. I would put a bottle of STP(or Zinc additive) in every oil change in a flat cam motor.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2014 07:15PM by mgb260. |
kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
Guess I'm in minority, I change my oil and filter every 5,000 miles and utilize Shell 4000 5/30w. Dino Oil. This was OEM spec in the 93 Mustang and engine is approaching 160,000 miles. It was clean under the intake and valve covers 2 years ago. Oil pressure is good also. My mileage is only 40,000 since the conversion, but no oil consumption. If not its broken, I do not intend to attempt to fix.
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mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2463 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
Pennzoil's new Platinum is full synthetic, actually made from natural gas. Haven't researched it though.
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hoffbug Tony Hoffer Minnesota (323 posts) Registered: 10/15/2007 05:25PM Main British Car: Olds 215 EFI |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
Crower is recommending [zddplus.com] by name for all of its flat tappet cams.. Ill probably run Brad Penn with ZZDP plus in the little Olds engine.
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6470 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Your favorite motor oil for Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum v8?
I've heard recommendations that you thoroughly mix the bottle of zddp with a quart of oil before pouring it in the engine.
Jim |