[Healeys] Valvoline VR1 20W-50 Redux Redux

[Bob Spidell]

Uh... the '20W-60' was a (bad) joke, in reference to 'The plot 
thickens.'   But, good point anyway, Kees.

bs


On 5/11/2017 2:06 AM, Oudesluys wrote:
> I am not a 100% sure but I think the highest spec oil to be used in 
> classic car engines is SG/SH. 20W60 may interfere with the oil flow as 
> 20w50 is the usual specified oil for classic cars. The higher the 
> numbers the thicker the oil hence a higher oil pressure but a reduced 
> flow. Oil flow however is all important in an engine, more than 
> pressure (within limits of course).
> Kees Oudesluijs
>
>
> Op 11-5-2017 om 1:07 schreef Bob Spidell:
>> I was at my favorite local parts house today and noticed, as reported 
>> by others that VR1 is back on the shelf after mysteriously 
>> disappearing a year or so ago.  Good deal, I think, then I noticed 
>> the label is slightly different than the stock I bought a year or so 
>> ago; in particular, 'HIGH ZINC' is shown prominently on the front 
>> label (my stash doesn't).  Also, the 'new' stuff is rated SAE SJ 
>> only, whereas my bottles say 'EXCEEDS API SERVICE SGCD And All 
>> Pending API Gasoline Categories Exceeds API Services SN/SM/SL'  The 
>> cam makers generally say that SN and SM are not suitable for flat 
>> tappet engines (not enough zinc and phosphorous).  SN/SM--dunno about 
>> SL--are supposedly OK for engines with catalytic converters, which 
>> implies less zinc.
>>
>> Anybody know for certain know what gives?  My theories are:
>>
>> 1) Valvoline pulled their stock and simply relabeled their product SJ 
>> to make it clear it shouldn't be used in cars with cats
>>
>> 2) The old VR1 WAS acceptable for cars with cats, implying zinc 
>> content of no more than 800PPM or so, and they have reformulated the 
>> oil with more ZDDP, which required the relabeling.  I hope this isn't 
>> the case, as I bought a boatload of it because it appeared to be an 
>> off-the-shelf oil with decent zinc and phosphorous content.
>>
>> The plot thickens (it's now 20W-60).
>>
>> Bob
>
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