What OIL to use?

[1ricardo]

Dear Friends

I have this 1976 911 with a rebuilt 2,7 engine and I already asked around about what engine oil to use, almost everybody told me to use Valvoline VR 20w50
Problem is where i live this oil itīs not available so, whatīs the second best choice?
First of all, are we looking for a mineral or synthetic oil?
Although the synthetic have better properties itīs good for this old engine?
My choice here are:

MOBIL 100% Synthetic
MOBIL 1 0W 30
MOBIL 1 0W 40
MOBIL 1 5W 30
MOBIL 1 5W 40
MOBIL 1 5W 50

VALVOLINE 100% Synthetic
VALVOLINE SYN POWER 5W 30
VALVOLINE SYN POWER 5W 40

VALVOLINE Semi-Synthetic
VALVOLINE COMPETITION PLUS 20W 50
VALVOLINE COMPETITION PLUS 15W 40

MOTUL 100% Synthetic
MOTUL 6100 10W 40
MOTUL 6100 15W 40

Thank you all

[aus911]

Hi, this type of question usually opens a big bag of worms, but since you asked what I use is Penrite HPR 30. The car seems much happier since using this oil. At the end of the day do your research and use the oil that suites you.
HPR 30 20W-60 (Mineral)

Your location/climate will also have an influence on your decision!

[ganun]

P says 20w-50, and there is only one on your list so that would be it. Since its a comp oil, not intended for long change intervals, change it often, like 3k miles or so.

[Oh Haha]

Brad Penn is another good oil. Ask your local shop about Total oil as it has been discussed quite a lot lately.

You should use a dino based oil with lots of ZDDP to protect the flat tappet camshafts.

I used Valvoline in my SC but it is available pretty much anywhere here in Michigan.

Where are you located? Pelicans in your area may be able to offer much better advice.

[1ricardo]

Hello,
Iīm in Brazil! Most of the oils recommended by Pelican Members i canīt find
Thereīs also a MOBIL SUPER 20W50 which is a dino oil
Also i could not find about the ZDDP contents in the oils here

[mattC2993]

Boutique oils have really gone up. BP is almost $9/qt now ($12 in Canada!). Joe Gibbs is even more money. If you are going synthetic Mobil V Twin 20W50 should be a good choice. You could consider finding a good inexpensive dino or semi synthetic oil and use a ZDDP additive although these aren't cheap either.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by 1ricardo

First of all, are we looking for a mineral or synthetic oil?

Synthetic - far better performers in high heat applications (such as an air cooled engine).

Originally Posted by 1ricardo

Although the synthetic have better properties itīs good for this old engine?

Absolutely yes.

I see you list other Motul variants in your post, but can you get Motul 300v4t 15w50 in your area? It is expensive, but independent tests results on it are remarkably impressive (I'll try to find an oil performance study that I recently read), and even though it is listed as a 'competition oil" for motorcycles, it was shown to have all of the anti-acid chemicals and detergents necessary to use for normal oil change intervals in cars (well past 3000 miles in other words). It is also high in zinc (study shows how much, don't remember, but was well above average).

I've been using it in machines for over 10 years, and have seen fist hand how superior it was to Mobil 1 at protecting cams and rockers in a racing environment.



Here's the oil study - information heavy and a bit hard to navigate at first, but worth the effort if interested.

Note: Brad Penn users should avoid reading it or risk getting butthurt by what they see!

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/

[midnight911]

I use Brad Penn but allow me suggest something totally against what we have been inclined toward. If this car is not a daily or tracked but occasionally driven...say once a week or once every other week for few hours for casual street driving, collecting few hundred miles per year, how about just any oil? Mobil 1, Valvoline, Castrol, Penzzoil, Total, Elf, I think any should do a decent job. I don't think that cams get pitted that easily. Or do they?

[emac]

Not again!
Ernie

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by midnight911

If this car is not a daily or tracked but occasionally driven...say once a week or once every other week for few hours for casual street driving, collecting few hundred miles per year, how about just any oil? Mobil 1, Valvoline, Castrol, Penzzoil, Total, Elf, I think any should do a decent job.

Agreed - with nancy usage such as that, even goatpizz would be sufficient. Really, if one is of the sect that changes oil at every 3K miles, I think the same applies (any oil on the shelf will do).

[tomphot]

Originally Posted by emac

Not again!
Ernie

What's your problem - I don't think there's ever been an OIL thread here before

[Nick Triesch]

OMG! Everybody knows that Deep Purple is the best oil for our cars!!

[HarryD]

You will be best served with a high ZDDP 20W-50 dino oil. Look to see if you can get Elf Total.

TOTAL Lubrificantes do Brasil - Automotivo

[patz]

Use an oil rated for Diesel trucks.

[3literpwr]

I'm running Rotella T 15-40w in my cars. It's cheap, has 1200 ppm zinc and works great.

[Mony]

Finally an Oil thread. I searched the forums for hours and only found 423 threads taking about oil types.

[mreid]

710

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by patz

Use an oil rated for Diesel trucks.

Read they lack anti-foaming inhibitors? No Bueno for high RPM. I added VR1 to Rotella T6 due to this. Have no idea if it's good enough or not?

[Jonny042]

I saw the other day that castrol has a synthetic (Syntec?) 5W50 that has higher levels of zinc and says on the bottle that it's suitable for older cars with flat tappets.

It should be readily available, I saw it at Canadian Tire. So down in the 'states you should be able to find it just about anywhere.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Mony

Finally an Oil thread. I searched the forums for hours and only found 423 threads taking about oil types.

Only one worth reading:
Ultimate Motor Oil Thread or Why we hate CJ4/SM oils