diesel motor oil

[jveik]

has anyone here heard of running diesel engine oil in a chevy smallblock such as a 350, specifically one with internals for pickups? i heard that there is more zinc or something that supposedly helps protect "old-school" hydraulic flat-tappet cams or sumptin

[Bundy]

This sounds like a myth to me. I would say its b.s. .... besides, most diesel oil is 15w40. just change your oil regularly as suggested by the manufactuer and u should be fine.

[maxwedge]

Diesel oil is being used in some older engines that benefit from the anti wear/scuff additives called zzdp, use of these additive has been all but eliminated in regular modern oil due to cat convertor damage. When breaking in a high performance solid lifter, flat tappet engine the use of 15-40 diesel oil has eliminated the early cam failures in these engines.

[Bundy]

I stand corrected.

[jveik]

so would i probably want to use some diesel oil for breaking in my 383 im building with a flat tappet hydraulic comp cam? its their 274 extreme energy, so its not completely lopey and high lift. if i did use some diesel oil, should i just switch to conventional oil after the break-in period?

[2000izusu]

i know comp cams recommends rottella 15w40 for cam break in on the 4.7 stroker jeep motor. they were flattening cam lobes with regular oil. and the diesel oil corrected the problem. mike

[daman]

When running a motor with a flat tappet cam and NON roller valve train you
need additional Zinc and phosphorus in your oil and a regular PCMO does not
really have enough in it to do a good job,HDEO(Diesel)oil has this extra add's
and can be used with great results.

a great oil to use is Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W40, great oil.

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?...ellasynth.html

[jveik]

so that stuff is fine for short bursts of 6000 rpm and whatnot? im building a sortof hopped-up 383 that im putting this cam into and hopefully this oils good for high rpms too. im assuming that its about the same as regular motor oil just with more additives for anti-wear.

[daman]

Originally Posted by jveik

so that stuff is fine for short bursts of 6000 rpm and whatnot? im building a sortof hopped-up 383 that im putting this cam into and hopefully this oils good for high rpms too. im assuming that its about the same as regular motor oil just with more additives for anti-wear.

If your going to use a flat tappet cam yes this oil will work fine, i have
a '85 chevy truck with a 350 flat tappet that i've been using this oil in
and seems to like it very well,always nice oil pressure too,motor stays
very clean inside also..