Oil and Filters

[jae]

Have another oil and filter question.

Was talking to a couple of buddies here and the subject of oil and oil filters came up. We're all running flat-tappet engines (mine the Olds of course, one a freshly rebuilt 402 (396) in a Chevelle SS and the other a 350 chevy) and going over the best oil to use (not counting breakin). You know, the best oil and filter to run for our flat-tappet engines that provide the best protection. Of course, this ran the gamut in terms of looking on the fourms we're part of and the other research we performed. Add to the mix the other gear-heads we hang with, what their fathers and grandfathers use / used back in the day (some of the concoctions the old-timers came up with :shock: ), and the conversations got hairy & muddy.

From what I looked into, it seems the most recommended choices are:
Rotella T / Delo 400 diesel oil
Amsoil (currently in my Olds but will need to change this summer)
Valvoline conventional or VR-1
Brad Penn - haven't heard of this brand
Any conventional + ZDDPlus or STP oil treatment - just heard of ZDDPlus
Any conventional (the two guys above are running conventional)

And for filters:
NAPA Gold / Wix
AC Delco
Definitely NOT Fram - anyone care to elaborate?

So there's the discussion in a nutshell. My questions are:

What do you run and what are your recommendations?
Has anyone here used ZDDPlus?
Can the conventional + STP be used (does this have the neccessary ZDDP needed)?
Should I continue to run the amsoil or put in something else (oil is very clean, no leaks, had the valve covers off - no sludge in the heads)?
Can I and the others run conventional w/o fear of early cam/lifter failure?
Can the diesel oils be run in the winter - it gets mighty cold in Chi-town and though we usually don't drive our cars we do start them during the winter months (in unheated garages) and some are outside
What exactly are wrong with the Fram filters?

Sorry for the long discussion - trying to give as much info and ask as many questions as possible. Fire away with the responses and information - don't take the wrong way but am really looking for actual usage information, what you use for your everyday / summer cars. Thanks!!

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I will agree about staying away from Fram, ESPECIALLY the orange canister standard filters. You'd be better off buying a Wal Mart brand filter because at least then you aren't wasting as much money. I would also put Purolator on the list of good filters. As far as oil is concerned, most of us have read the same articles which seem to conclude the Rotella T is the best choice, but Delo may be good too as these are both high detergent diesel oils. I would also add a ZDDP additive, maybe something like a break in lube offered by one of the major cam grinders. I am too lazy to play with the chemistry though, so my flat tappet 350 gets a Purolator Pure One filter and Rotella T conventional oil when I change it.

The problem with the Fram filters is they use cardboard ends to the filter element where others us metal, Over time, the cardboard deforms and lets the oil leak past without filtering it. I had an article on filters bookmarked, but unfortunately lost my bookmarks when my old hard drive decided to commit suicide.

 

[outsider_27]

I've always used fram filters with no complaints. Havoline 10W30 oil. My S-10 is 16 years old, had it since new, oil is still clean as a new engine.

When I went through school we asked the engine instructor which oil was best to use, he said whatever is on sale. They all may have different packaging and names on the bottle, but most is basically the same.

 

[el_sonoma]

I myself, run 10w40 Castrol GTX and Napa Gold filters in most everything year round.
The engine oils today are far superior to what was once being used, so be careful when you talk to old guys unless they're up to date on their stuff.
Apparently, NAPA filters are considered the best out there.

 

[dan2286]

This is not from personal experience but I have heard that people do have good luck with running normal oil in their engines that use a flat tappet cam. Of course that is after the cam is broken in with some type of additive. To further back that up, when I worked at an oil change place, people with older cars with flat tappet cams would just use regular oil over and over and they never seem to have cam failures.

 

[gs dewd]

+1 for the Rotella and fram filters I never had a problem with fram filters. Now to the trash list goes the fisher/hastings filters. I have actually lost a few psi oil pressure when I run them and it to the point that it actually scares me at idle it so low.

 

[dogsht]

Have spent lots of time and research on this subject from the begining.
First unless you have a higher lift steeper ramp aftermarket cam with stronger than stock springs its probably not going to matter. I am not saying crazy lift race cam and big spring pressure just good jump up from stock such as Lunati Vodoo series. Most of us who have rebuilt a flat tappet cam engine to add some power fit this catagory.

Now that the diesel oils have also been hit with reduced zinc etc I have changed from the Rotella to Valvoline VR1. Yes you can use anybodys oil and add a zddp kit but by the time you figure the cost you are usually ahead to just purchase the quality readily available VR1 that already has it in it. Valvoline gets by with VR1 because its marketed only as a race only oil. That said their is no reason not to run it in your cammed up daily driver.

Fram is or not sure at least was an American company who employs mostly workers right here in the good ol usa. So I would like to purchase from them. If they put the same money into quality components and quality control that they put into advertising hype I would pay a little extra to use their filters. As it stands I buy Wix filters. Wix is widely available of good quality and reasonably priced for the product. If memory serves me they also make the napa gold filters. Fram orange has cheaply glued cardboard end and poor quality control. But they have great commercials.

PS Oh yea you can also get the VR1 in 10/30 although most only carry 20/50. Ask your favorite store to carry it in 10/30.

 

[84GP455]

I've used Valvoline 20W/50 since i bought my motor new and that was in 1987! The motor has yet needed to be rebuilt and when i changed my valve covers, i couldn't believe how clean and new looking my valve springs and lifters and pushrods looked! As far as filters go, i was using the orange Fram one but after i read like 85cutlass has said that they use cardboard instead of metal on the inside, i've changed to Purolator or Napa.

 

[dogsht]

Yea but GP455 its not the same formula you have been useing. Our governement made everbody take out the zinc etc of their oils. Switch to the Valvoline VR1 (the only widely distributed exception) and you will have an oil with the proper lubricants for your old flat tappet cam motor. Also its reasonably priced for the quality and components. Not $8 a quart wonder oil. Or keep useing it and in addition buy the zddp addative.

 

[crappycutlass]

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfil ... rence.html

AND..AND... AAND>....

http://www.animegame.com/cars/Oil%20Tests.pdf


and now you know.