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Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:49 pm
by walterclark
Go with synthetic. As suggested though a cleanup is probably in order. I recommend Amsoil engine flush, not kerosene. You add a bottle to the present oil, drive it around a short while (or just let it idle), then change the oil and filter.

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Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:58 pm
by hammer
Thanks Walter. That sounds like a good plan.

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:40 pm
by Super1303
You want to also think about the class of the oil that you put in that motor as well, it being an 1988 V6.
If it were me I wouldn't worry so much about the synthetic part, worry about the level of ZDDP(Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates) in the oil.
This engine requires it and the level of ZDDP in modern oils have slowly been reduced to the point
it's ineffective in older engines mostly causing accelerated valve train wear.
I run Valvoline 10W-40 Racing oil in all my older, pre 80's V8s or anything with flat tappet lifters.
I'm not sure if you can take something like Mobil-1, the only syn I'd run, and add a zinc additive to it, someone might have some input on that.
Just throwing it out there.

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 1:59 am
by hammer
I already picked up some oil today. I got Parts Master 5w-30 synthetic at Bond Auto. I don't think it's anything super special, but I've been told and found online that Parts Master brand is made by valvoline. It's also what I run in my Mazda 2. One of the guys at Bond said valvoline just rebottles some of their other oil to be sold as Parts Master for cheaper. I'm not sure if the bottle lists any of the chemical properties like ZDDP, but I can check tomorrow. Thanks for the insight though!

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:17 am
by walterclark
It's better to use a synthetic that already contains the right amount of zddp and other additives than to try to correctly dose it yourself, but additives are available. I would never run a no name oil of any kind on a parts guys say so to save a couple bucks. But my engines are far too valuable to me to trust to anyone who is not an expert. I use Amsoil racing synthetic in the GTI.

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Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:08 am
by sdwarf36
I believe your parts guy. Napa brand is also rebottled Valvoline. (I've even seen Napa oil bottles with Valvoline caps on them. )

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 10:34 am
by hammer
So I've done a bit of research and Parts Master oil is indeed made by Ashland which also makes Valvoline. Whether or not it's the exact same stuff is certainly up for debate. I found the MSDS for the Parts Master 5w-30 here (http://www.autovalue.com/msds-pdfs/part ... e-5955.pdf) and towards the bottom it lists ZINC ALKYLDITHIOPHOSPHATE. Though it doesn't list what percentage it has in the oil. Also, I'm wondering how this differs from the Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates you mentioned Evan. Also the filename for that pdf has the word valvoline in it for what it's worth. And the part number "5955" (http://www.autoparts2020.com/rsdev/part ... R_ID=42110) is curiously close to the Valvoline 5w-30 part number of "VV955" on their website. (http://www.valvoline.com/products/consu ... otor-oil/5) Click on "Sizes and Grades" and you'll see it listed there.

All this to say, I'm reasonably certain that the two oils are at least somewhat related. However, if I were to go back to Bond and exchange the Parts Master for something with a more well known name, what would you guys suggest? Walter, you mentioned Amsoil racing synthetic, but Bond doesn't carry that brand (I had to order the engine flush you recommended online) and even so, Amsoil doesn't appear to have a 5w-30 racing synthetic on their website. Though it may make sense to run 10w-30 since the car will only be run in warmer weather anyways and it would provide better lubrication under high temperatures. Thoughts? What other brands do people recommend for racing use?

One more thought... The MSDS for the Parts Master 10w-30 oil (http://www.autovalue.com/msds-pdfs/part ... e-5935.pdf) does list "Zinc Compounds" at between 1.5% - 5%. What would be a good level of ZDDP?

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 10:59 am
by Super1303
This should help answer a lot of questions and I agree with Walter don't try to be an oil chemist buy the correct oil made by oil chemists.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2014/03 ... right-oil/

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 11:24 am
by Super1303
sdwarf36 wrote:I believe your parts guy. Napa brand is also rebottled Valvoline. (I've even seen Napa oil bottles with Valvoline caps on them. )
I found the same thing with Car-Quest brand oils, that they were made by Valvoline.

Re: Project Fiero

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 11:37 am
by walterclark
I am using the 10w30 (RD30), although I have run as high as 20w50.

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