Fact or Fiction- modern oil

[28tbsfan]

My mechanic, who was considered reputable at one time, is dead set on the fact he has lost multiple engine rebuilds over the past two years due to new standards for engine oil.

He has had two rods fail in the crank post rebuild twice and claims the remedy is a larger 964 Oil pump and use Lucas Hot Rod oil. The mechanic mentioned he’s been rebuilding Porsche engines for 30 years, relatively the same way, yet now they are all failing. I’m curious if others are seeing this with rebuilt rebuilt engines regarding the oil or my mechanic is just way past his prime.

[PeteKz]

Fiction.
Newer oils do not cause rod failures period. If the rod bearing is failing, that’s because of not enough oil to the rod bearings or too high RPM, or defective bearings. We have seen runs of new bearings in the past few years that were out of spec. There are several threads here about that.

[28tbsfan]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

Fiction.
Newer oils do not cause rod failures period. If the rod bearing is failing, that’s because of not enough oil to the rod bearings or too high RPM, or defective bearings. We have seen runs of new bearings in the past few years that were out of spec. There are several threads here about that.

He is telling me it’s failing at idle or low speed. Wouldn’t a larger pump solve the oil consumption issue?

[Glenfield]

Nope. At idle and most speeds, stock pump is more than capable of providing enough oil pressure and oil when everything is otherwise in spec.

What’s more likely is what Peter referred to. It’s possible that he’s building motors the way he always has, but the parts today require more care and measurement. If he’s just trusting QC of OEM parts, it’s conceivable that’s your issue. Particularly on bearings whose defects were widely reported.

[28tbsfan]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Nope. At idle and most speeds, stock pump is more than capable of providing enough oil pressure and oil when everything is otherwise in spec.

What’s more likely is what Peter referred to. It’s possible that he’s building motors the way he always has, but the parts today require more care and measurement. If he’s just trusting QC of OEM parts, it’s conceivable that’s your issue. Particularly on bearings whose defects were widely reported.

I thought it sounded “conspiracy theory” like…
This is the second crank he’s been through. Always easier to blame something or somebody else.

[28tbsfan]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Nope. At idle and most speeds, stock pump is more than capable of providing enough oil pressure and oil when everything is otherwise in spec.

What’s more likely is what Peter referred to. It’s possible that he’s building motors the way he always has, but the parts today require more care and measurement. If he’s just trusting QC of OEM parts, it’s conceivable that’s your issue. Particularly on bearings whose defects were widely reported.

I notice you are from Chicago. Have you had any experience w Fishers Auto in Barrington?

[Glenfield]

Is that your mechanic or is that your planned future mechanic to the rescue? If the former, sorry to hear it. If the latter, pls do yourself a favor and think again. DM me and happy to discuss live.

I would strongly suggest having a pelican help you drop motor and ship it to one of the known handful of folks that reside in the Pantheon of Air Cooled engine rebuilding. It will be cheaper, you’ll have a better motor and a painless experience. I’d wager it is probably quicker also.

From the Pantheon, I’ve had experience with Tyson Schmidt and Mike Bruns and both are phenomenal. Henry Schmidt is is another and there are a handful more.

[28tbsfan]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Is that your mechanic or is that your planned future mechanic to the rescue? If the former, sorry to hear it. If the latter, pls do yourself a favor and think again. DM me and happy to discuss live.

I would strongly suggest having a pelican help you drop motor and ship it to one of the known handful of folks that reside in the Pantheon of Air Cooled engine rebuilding. It will be cheaper, you’ll have a better motor and a painless experience. I’d wager it is probably quicker also.

From the Pantheon, I’ve had experience with Tyson Schmidt and Mike Bruns and both are phenomenal. Henry Schmidt is is another and there are a handful more.

Please tell me more. Fisher was my relief pitcher…

[Glenfield]

Pelican (rightly) has a preference for keeping those grievances private. Some grievances are legitimate, some are baseless, some shops change and improve. All bad reviews are harmful to business however, and so I respect the rule.

That said, I do think folks should research shops thoroughly and have an opportunity to consider the good and the bad. Whoever stumbles across this thread can DM me for my experience with Fisher and form their own view.

Of course, I’d strongly encourage you to do that here.

[PeteKz]

A few months ago, someone here had a problem with excessive bearing clearances, even though the individual parts were within spec. It appears that in his combination of parts the clearances stacked up all to the wide side, and he ended up with too much clearance in the bearings. "Search" isn't being friendly to me today, or I would attach the link, if I could find it without too much trouble.

Bottom line, you can't assume anymore (if ever) that the parts will assemble with the correct clearances. You must measure them. One of the reasons I like Plastigage is to check the assembled measurements of main and rod bearings.