Valvoline VR1 racing oil in name only

horkn wrote: This was recent news regarding the castrol. I'm pretty sure I posted the link in a different thread. I never said anything in this thread that wasn't correct .....I've seen a few incorrect things posted by others though.

Come on Tom! You've got to do better than just the above!!
Did you miss this:

Hollywood wrote: horkn wrote: last time I checked, most castrol gtx oil had enough zddp for flat tappets. I don't know when you checked but it's not shown anymore.

boat dr wrote: Show us the data, or the link, but I think you are mistaken ...

I agree - where's the data/link proof??? Do you really want to pass on bad info to a fellow CCfan member?

bla bla bla where is the link?????? I also like your reasoning on not using the ROTELLA...

I think this is the site: Corvette Forum Flat Tappet Oils

Cursory look show the information to be current, obviously I have not had the time to read the whole 23 pages. But at least we have the link. I do like to keep up on the oils, so I look forward to reading through it - Man I must be sick...

horkn wrote: castrol 20w 50 does have the zddp levels our flat tappet motors need.

Castrol makes several 20w-50s, this is from that Corvette forum.

Castrol Syntec 20W-50
Grades: 20W50
Claim: "Engineered to increase wear protection for classic cars with flat tappet camshafts"
Verification: Email from Castrol 12/9/09: Current Syntec 20W-50 (for classic cars) is actually a modern premium quality API SM product that has been Zinc boosted to Zinc levels that are reminiscent of levels from historic API categories such as SG when flat tappet cams with high spring loads were common in the fleet. For reference, note that the API SM category has the most rigorous passenger car engine oil (PCO) test performance requirements in the history of the API PCO categories. The level of Zinc in the new Syntec 20W-50 is a minimum of 1200 ppm, which will provide excellent anti-wear protection for the cam and lifters in a flat-tappet cam engine.
Verification: NONE

to cheapy to put 25.00 in oil, but not to cheapy to throw a hundy of gas in every weekend? i dont confuse to easily, but im confused, start with syn end with syn, zinc no zinc, rollers no rollers,
all i can say is i keep seeing the same damn 6.0 litre truck every few months with 4 qts low everytime and it aint blown yet, i pop the cork and 1 qt of brown molasses oozes out of it everytime...i know its a roller motor, and it appears to me that the only engines you see wiped out are the ones low on oil, not to many failures due to the wrong oil, maybe we should promote check your oil once in while

TX Foilhead wrote: Got some bad news Tom, Wallyworld doesn't have the Mobil 1 anymore. I checked 3 different stores before my last oil change and then switched to the VR 1.

Thanks for the info. Looks like I am off to advance again then.

Except that is not the vr1 that has enough zddp.

I went to naps to buy 5 qts of the race only 20/50 and despite their inventory online showing at least 5 qts, they only had 4. They did have the syntec 20/50 that does have the zddp we need. It specifically says for older cars with flat tappet cams. I went with the castrol.

From Valvoline:
Valvoline VR1


5. What solutions does Valvoline offer to the zinc issue?

Valvoline offers two solutions to the zinc issue:
Valvoline VR1: Contains 75% higher zinc than SM motor oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. This product will protect older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. Valvoline provides this product in both multi and mono viscosity grades: 20w50, straight 50, 10w30, straight 30, straight 40, and straight 60.
Longer-Lasting Zinc/Phosphorus: Valvoline uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the motor oil where it protects the engine instead of poisoning the catalytic converter. Valvoline is the only brand offering this unique additive across its entire line of passenger car motor oils including SynPower -- the only synthetic offering this additive.

6. Which oil has more zinc/ZDDP: VR1 or "Not Street Legal" oil?

Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil contains .13% of Zinc and .12% of Phosphorus compared to the Valvoline "Not Street Legal" Racing Oil which contains .14% of Zinc and .13% of Phosphorus.


Sounds like I am safe!.....

Hey TRbenj,
In your opinion, the VR1, at 13% zinc is good for a summer or 50hours? Thats all I care about. That is the interval anyway right? It sounds like the .13% zinc is not in question but the reduced detergents that would necessitate a shorter oil change interval on a car, but the 50hr/or summer (June July August-3 month span) oil change interval should cover that?
Thanks,
The other Tom   

I also went to this site:
http://www.pcmengines.com/contact/

and asked this:

Dear PCM
I was wondering if one of your oil experts could weigh in on this thread on Correct Craft Fan.com forums:
http://correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13060&PN=1&title=valvoline-vr1-racing-oil-in-name-only
It is a discussion on the complexities of zinc levels for the tappet engines and levels of detergent that would reduce or increase oil change intervals.
Thanks
Tom

It would be great to hear from these folks!
Tom2

xjglen wrote: I haven't fired my boat up yet for the first run of the season and I've got Rotella T 15/40 in it. Now I'm re-thinking my choice of oil. I can't wait to see what the experts have to say....

Same here. I was just about to post on the very same thing. Can someone please verify if my beloved Rotella T 15W40 is still good stuff. I had Andy (Waterdog...I think) check out a sample for me last year, and the zinc level was very high.

Boat Dr. ....I think I read you are a Rotella guy. You still using it?

dupe see below

Heres the Tech Bulletin.


Hot Topic
The level of “zinc” in today’s engine oil is a hot topic among hands-on car enthusiasts. Whether in online chat rooms, blogs or message boards, or in the retail store, customers are seeking answers to make sure they are protecting their investment.
The following information will assist you with those conversations. An additional resource is available to you by calling the Valvoline Technical hotline at 1-800-TEAM VAL (1-800-832-6825).
What is zinc?
The anti-wear additive simply referred to as “zinc” by most car enthusiasts, is actually short for Zinc DialkylDithiophosphates or ZDP. As an anti-wear additive, its primary role is to prevent metal-to-metal contact between engine parts by forming a protective film. Despite being referred to as “zinc,” this additive actually contains zinc and phosphorus, with phosphorus performing the anti-wear function.
How zinc/phosphorus works
The zinc/phosphorus molecules react in the oil and release phosphorus-containing compounds that make a wear-resisting phosphate glass film on the critical surfaces of contacting engine parts. With most brands, this process also results in phosphorus being released with engine emissions into the catalytic converter, where it can poison the emissions system over time.
Why zinc/phosphorus level in engine oil has changed
With ever increasing limits on emissions, automobile manufacturers have tightened emission control systems on newer vehicles. This is one of several factors considered when the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for engine oil. The current API standard is “SM,” which replaced the previous “SL” classification. Because phosphorus can poison a vehicle’s emission system, the level of zinc is lower for current engine oil.
Bulletin: 2008-003
Date: June 2008
The controversy
Many hands-on car enthusiasts and engine experts believe the lower levels of zinc in “SM” engine oil is causing excessive wear in older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. This is despite the fact that all new engine oil classifications are intended to be backward compatible. This has resulted in the widely accepted belief that modern engine oil is not adequate to protect older engines.
Consumer Solutions
There are high-zinc engine oils available to meet this need. It is important to note, however, that the entire additive package still needs to be balanced for best performance. For example, engine oil with a high zinc level but low detergent may not perform over a drain interval of 3,000 miles or longer.
Valvoline offers two solutions to the zinc issue
Valvoline Racing VR1: 75% higher zinc than SM engine oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. This product will protect older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. Advance Auto Parts currently carries this product in SAE 20W-50 (part vv211) and straight SAE 50 (part vv235).
The product is also available from Valvoline in: SAE 10W-30 (part vv205), SAE 30 (part vv223), SAE 40 (part vv229), and SAE 60 (part vv241)
Longer-Lasting Zinc/Phosphorus: Valvoline uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the engine oil where it protects the engine, instead of poisoning the catalytic converter. Valvoline is the only brand offering this unique additive across its entire line of passenger car engine oils, including SynPower which is the only synthetic offering this additive.
Rob Clendening
Valvoline, division of Ashland Inc 1-859-357-7000
Lexington KY

So to my pea brain, it sounds like what Eric was saying. First priority is to actually check and change your oil. Can someone back me up on the rest? It sounds like Valvoline is saying that SM oils are actually adequate and "backward compatable". We (as tappet engine owners) want to go the extra step and get high doses of zinc, so we use the high zinc formulas. Do the modern boats have some kind of cat converter? My 89 sn does not, so it sounds to me like the VR1 straight 40w with .13 zinc should be fine for a 3 month period or 3,000 miles in cars but certainly, 50 hours at 60 miles an hour equals a mile a minute so 3000 divided by 60 = 50 hours. Am I taking crazy pills? It sounds like any of the high zinc oils are good, and if changed will not lose the zinc. Anyhow, either way, the VR1 is going in tomorrow with a Motorcraft FL1a filter. I cant speak for the Rotella without the facts, but it sounds to me like it will be fine and is comparable with the VR1. Whew. Just my thoughts. I am not a petroleum expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night......

and i still have not done an oil change because i dont know what to put in it???