Re: Which V8 engine oil?

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2008/6/25 16:41:36

It's funny but back when OHV engines became really popular in the late 40s = early 50s there was a rash of valve lifter and cam wear problems. Chrysler and Studebaker V8s were known for this in their introductory year of 1951.

Now Chrysler and Studebaker were both old line car makers known for the quality and reliability of their products. But both had previously made nothing but flatheads.

A flathead engine has a very simple valve train with light springs, light parts and low pressure loads on the cam and lifters. The new OHV engines had a whole new set of problems in the cam and valve train area.

They very quickly solved their problems. In fact it was about this time that multi grade and heavy duty oils became popular. So maybe the additives had something to do with solving the wear problems.

Now all we have are OHC engines with light valve springs and pushrod engines with roller lifters. Both are very easy on the lifter and cam.

So, they take out the zinc and old flat tappet OHV engines suffer.

Well my flathead will run fine on straight run, non detergent oil without additives.

It's a funny case of history repeating.