Topic: 83 22r cam and zinc oil

[VincentVanPwn3d]

I just got my head back from a local machine company. They hot tanked it, did a leak down and resurfaced it. They said it was sealing good. The cam in it has been in it for 15k and looked great. When I picked it up he mentiined that because it was a flat tappet I need to use a zinc oil. I asked him why, and that I thought zinc was only needed for break in. He replied saying that it should always have zinc in these 80's flat tappet cams and nit just for break in. I never heard this before can anyone shed some experience or opinions on this? I honestly think he just wanted me to buy  his 5 dollar a quart zinc oil.

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[emsvitil]

Diesel oil has more zinc in it.........

I use 15w40   (~170k miles)

Newer engine could use 10w30

[Rocksurfer]

Diesel oil has more zinc in it.........

I use 15w40   (~170k miles)

Newer engine could use 10w30

That's the best, some question using oil designed for a diesel but that's not a problem, now using oil designed for a gas motor in a diesel now you're looking for trouble.

[Frank Rizzo]

i heard the same exact thing when i got a new head at a local machine shop.  guess what?  i just dumped 5w-30 in that pregnant dog and called it good 

[Mtrdud]

Yep, diesel oil.

[Cheesemaker]

I've always been told by several engine builders to run Delo 400 or Rotella, 30w or 10W-30.  So, that's what I stick with.

[2manytoys]

Diesel oil does have more zinc in it and the 15-40 Caterpillar oil I used to get said it was compatible with gasoline engines.

I used to carry 5 gallon buckets of it in my service truck for customers and many times they did not want whatever was left over and let me have the left overs. I didn't have to buy oil for years.

The stuff works great and I get a LOT of miles out of my engines. I used it in my high mileage engines and old school rebuilt engines and they are still running. Zinc is good for wear reduction. Especially flat tappet cams. Even more so for double and triple spring hot rod engines. Not so good for emissions.

Back when Caterpillar acquired Perkins engines, the Perkins in the Cat backhoes were having oil consumption problems. Rings were not seating on new engines. Ultimately engineers found the problem to be the high zinc content in the Cat diesel oil. New Perkapillars had to be broken in before using the Cat diesel oil. Say's something for zinc additive in engine oil.

I run manufacturer recommended oil in my new Toyotas especially under warranty.