[Mgs] another oil question? really?

[Max Heim]

Another synthetic oil option is Mobil1 15w50. This particular weight (and
none other) is designed for flat tappet engines, with 1200ppm phosphorus and
1300ppm zinc. I mention it because it may be easier to find locally than
Redline, Brad Penn, Joe Gibbs or other specialty oils -- most auto stores
carry Mobil1. 


--

Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Menlo Park, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires



on 7/7/14 11:26 AM, gordies garage at mg_garage at comcast.net wrote:

> I'm with you Max, I don't buy the oval story.
> In fact, when I took my 1622 apart, my machinist said that my cylinders were
> not oval, and at .030 over, I didn't want to bore any more if not necessary.
> Honed cylinders and reassembled with same pistons and new rings.  After run
> in I discovered that my #3 cyl was registering 80psi compression (other
> three were 150).  Carefully removed #3 piston and found all rings with the
> gap at 9o'clock.  Presumed that this was the problem, and re-clocked the
> rings.  Re-assembled and compression was 150, just like other three.
> Checked again after first short drive and found it at 80psi.  My theory is
> that the cyl is slightly oval, enough that the rings 'center' themselves in
> a short time.
> Current solution is a 3 main bearing 1800 sitting on a stand awaiting a
> rebuild, then I will look further into the 1622.
> 
> To the point of the thread.  In my '62 MGA, I have pretty much always used a
> qt of oil every 500 - 700 mi.  Latest oil change was with Redline 20w50 full
> synth and so far I haven't registered a noticeable loss (maybe an 8th qt) on
> the dipstick with about 500 mi.  I always have a drip or two on the ground
> when parked, and I assume at least a little when driving, so that accounts
> for a little loss.  I like the Redline, and it is packed full of the ZDDP
> that our flat tappet engines love.
> 
> Gordie Bird
> '62 MGA (Ottawa bound with 80psi compression in #3)