Rotella/Delo diesel oils

Tullfooter, as you can see, the choices can be many. I would stick with the Shell Rotella T 40 and your choice of filter...Wix, AC Delco, just not Fram.

My pleasure Billy,as I've taken many of your ideas without that simple "Thank you" I did it because I knew there were still little cam grindings in my motor although I cleaned it as best I could.

Munday

If you go NAPA get the gold line,thats the good Wix filter.Billy thanks for the update I sure don't want to do another cam.I've been running the 10w40 rotella with lucas additive.
I also recommend adding a good strong magnet next to the drain line,remove while draining oil and replace when refilling every little bit helps.

Munday

even further...is the PCM 454 330 a flat tappet motor?

Thanks

OK boys, dumb it down a little bit.
What oil in an 85BFN 454 non HO.
Thanks, Tull

racintj wrote: Where do you buy the Wix filters from? Here in FL, I just see Fram, MotorCraft, Puro, etc. And why WIX? I have seen several people swear by them here, but I don't know why. What is wrong with FL-1A Motorcraft?

The Motorcraft FL1A filter is also very good. If you have NAPA around you, their filters are just rebranded Wix. I buy my Wix filters in bulk from Filter1.

racintj,The chemist at Shell I spoke with today was very knowledgeable as to adsditives and their uses in F/tappet engines. When asked about the EOS, she new axactly what I was talking about and where the question was headed.
Run a straight 40 and add the EOS.Her answer was the stuff was to be used as a break -in lube only and was not a substitute for a premium additive packege that the Rotella T has.
Her comment on the future availability of this formula is and will be around for a long time. It is a proven product that has a strong market, so don't go buy a 55 gal. drum to rat hole for future use.
Also asked the name brand of oil filter they use for testing.......WIX........

So there is the scoop as it was told to me...
40 weight Rotella T With a Wix in my stroker.

Boat dr., I think the tree-huggin environmentalist wackos are going to ruin everything. I've been running the Rotella T HD 40 for the first few oil changes after my rebuild. I think I will go back to my Valvoline 10/40 and add the GM EOS additive. You can buy 16 oz bottles from the dealership and only put 4 oz. with each oil change. I don't want to be reading oil labels each time I go to buy oil.

edfer, one of the problems is you/we probably have no idea who made the lifters that are in our motors. I believe there are only two flat tappet makers in the US, the remaining coming from over the pond. Cam manufacturers were even getting some from here, some from there. Thus, I can only take precaution and ensure that my lifters/lobe receive their daily dosage of zinc and phosphorus.

ryanandrews, I would save that Pennzoil for the Briggs and Stratton lawn mower motor. You need to pay attention about the zinc levels in these oils if you are running a flat tappet cam.

Bizzaro world indeed, since even the obsolete Detroit 2 strokes, that spec the straight weight, have roller cams.

I use Amsoil 15W40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel?Marine oil. Been using it for 8 years in diesel truck, Mercedes, and V6 and V8 marine engines. I called Amsoil when I saw the discussion of flat tappets come up. The oil Iam using has ample zinc additive. They also sent me one of their tech papers on the subject:

TSB: MO-2006-10-26
Date: 10/26/2006
Page 1 of 2
Subject: Flat Tappet and Camshaft Lubrication
Technical Service Bulletin
Product Description: AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils
Submitted By: TSSTPM Reviewed By: KM Approval By: COO Date:
Distribution: ___Internal _X_All
OBJECTIVE:
To provide information about the use of motor oils formulated
with lower levels of zinc and phosphorus additives in
flat tappet and camshaft style engines.
ISSUES:
Engine oils contain anti-wear additives. The most common
anti-wear chemistry is zinc dithiophosphate (ZDP), which is
a combination of zinc and phosphorus. In 2005 the American
Petroleum Institute (API) and International Lubricants
Standards Approval Committee (ILSAC) instituted API SM
and ILSAC GF-4 quality standards. These two standards
are closely related, with GF-4 being viscosity dependent and
API SM applying to all SAE automotive viscosities.
API SM/ILSAC GF-4 licensed oils with viscosity grades
0W-20 & 30, 5W-20 & 30, and 10W-30 are restricted
to .06 - .08% phosphorus, while previous API SL/ILSAC
GF-3 oils were restricted to .1% phosphorus. There is concern
that oils containing lower levels of phosphorus are insufficient
in protecting the high-contact regions of the flat
tappets and camshaft lobes found in many older cars and
high-performance engines.
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION:
During the development of API SM/ILSAC GF-4 the antiwear
requirements of flat tappets were given particular consideration
by the engine manufacturers and by the oil industry.
Engines with flat tappets were used to qualify API SM/
ILSAC GF-4 oils. The anti-wear requirements of these tests
are severe. In one case where the same Sequence IVA engine
test was used for previous higher zinc and phosphorus
oils, the average camshaft wear limits were reduced, allowing
only 90(μm) max wear for API SM/ILSAC GF-4 oils
compared to the former 120(μm) max wear limits. The results
showed that API SM/ILSAC GF-4 oils protect factory
designed flat tappet/camshaft engines just as well as previous
higher phosphorus API SL/ILSAC GF-3 oils. If the engine
is new, rebuilt or is modified from stock with highpressure
valve springs, proper precautions should be taken
to insure long camshaft life. These recommendations apply
regardless of the lower zinc and phosphorus associated with
API SM/ILSAC GF-4 specifications.
Lower quality lifters are increasing in popularity. These
lifters may not have the proper metallurgy to withstand
long-term service or, in particular, the extra force applied by
high-pressure valve springs. Lifter quality should be considered
as a contributing factor where excessive wear or
premature failure is experienced.
RECOMMENDATION:
For all new or rebuilt engines with flat tappets, proper assembly
lubes and oil additives should be used during the
break-in phase. These additives provide extra protection at
the point of contact, helping the flat tappet face to properly
mate with the cam lobe. Once the break-in phase is over,
these additives should not be used. This includes the GM
product E.O.S., which is an assembly lubricant only and is
not to be used, as the label clearly states, as an engine oil
additive.
High-performance modified engines benefit from oils with
superior film strength and anti-wear properties. The flat
tappet/camshaft lobe interface is the one area in an engine
that has extreme contact load. That load increases significantly
where non-stock, high-pressure valve springs are
used. The use of properly formulated engine oils for this
application will help reduce wear and extend the flat tappet/
camshaft life.
There are many more ways to achieve good anti-wear performance
than just using zinc and phosphorus compounds
alone. Zinc and phosphorus are widely used because they
are the most cost effective solutions to achieve anti-wear
properties.
AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880 (715) 392-7101 © Copyright 2006
Submitted By: AA AA Date: 10/26/06
TSB: MO-2006-10-26
Date: 10/26/2006
Page 2 of 2
Subject: Flat Tappet and Camshaft Lubrication
Technical Service Bulletin
Product Description: AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils
Submitted By: AA Reviewed By: KM Approval By: AA Date: 10/26/06
Distribution: ___Internal _X_All
In addition to zinc and phosphorus compounds, AMSOIL
combines "ashless" anti-wear and friction modifier additives
with high quality synthetic oils to achieve truly superior
anti-wear performance, including in flat tappet applications.
AMSOIL 0W-30 (TSO), 5W-30 (ASL) and 10W-30
(ATM) are premium synthetic, API SM (gasoline)/CF
(off-road diesel)/ ILSAC GF-4 formulations containing a
proprietary combination of zinc and phosphorus, detergent
and friction modifier additives to generate exceptional
anti-wear properties as demonstrated in the four-ball wear
test. These oils are recommended for use in newer and
older engines with flat tappets in both stock and highperformance
configurations.
AMSOIL 20W-50 (TRO) is a premium synthetic racing
oil for gasoline engines with superior film strength and
anti-wear protection. It is excellent for street or race use in
cars, hot rods, and trucks or boats. It is the preferred
choice for highly modified, high horsepower engines.
AMSOIL 10W-40 (AMO), 15W-40 (AME) and 20W-50
(ARO) are premium synthetic, API SL (gasoline)/CI-4
Plus (heavy-duty, on-road diesel) quality formulations.
They are an excellent choice for those who desire diesel
style engine oils recommended for use in both gasoline
and diesel engines.
AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880 (715) 392-7101 © Copyright 2006