Comment

Comment by Robert Collier on April 25, 2013 at 10:28pm

There is a lot of info on the matter online, you have to pick through the crap, but there are some interesting articles to make a decision. For me I will be using the ZDDP infused oils. The conventional oils are slowing eliminating ZDDP out of their oils some have already done so, this is a federal mandate, to increase the longevity of the catalytic converter and other emission components.

Comment by Kurt on April 25, 2013 at 8:26pm

I do too the high mileage variety. According to the data sheet it contains 1 to 5% zinc alkyl dithiophosphate. I don't know if that is the right stuff or enough. Anyone know the optimal amount of zinc we should look for?

Comment by Robert Collier on April 25, 2013 at 7:55pm

Castrol gtx

Comment by Chris Codd on April 25, 2013 at 7:50pm

What oil were you using? 

Comment by Robert Collier on April 25, 2013 at 7:00pm

I don't know how accurate the mileage is or was, the odometer reads 69,000. I heard a tapping before but I thought it sounded more like the exhaust manifold leaking. Other than that there was no warning, I was pulling out of a restaurant not getting on it that much. It made a loud fluttering sound and then we heard a loud boom/ crash and then immediately no power with smoke and steam blowing out the back.

I have heard some theories about these motors and older motors in general.

1st there is no oil being pumped through the camshaft or up through the push rods, it uses slop from the crank and pistons to throw oil up to the cam. It needs rpm/ driving to get oil where it needs to lubricate things. So in my case while the body work was being done (a year or so) it was idled in and out of the garage allowed to warm up ( maybe overheat) never accelerated, thinking this was better for the motor.

2nd and this came form the shop that rebuilt my motor is that the conventional oil should not be used in older cars. Newer engines do not need the lubricants that the old ones need mostly zinc and phosphorus. So you have to use hot rod oil or diesel oil that still has the zinc in it.

I think the combination of these two were enough to destroy the motor. These are just my theories.

Comment by Kurt on April 25, 2013 at 6:39pm

Wow! that is some severe damage. How many miles were on the motor when this happened? Was there any forewarning? smoke? tapping? etc? Were you driving normally when it occurred or putting your foot in it?  Mine seems to be running fine but has over 100K on it. I can't really decide when to rebuild her but certainly don't want anything like this to happen. The work you have done looks fantastic now.