[TR] Update 1 Changing oil to full synthetic

Greg Perry rgperry at earthlink.net
Wed Oct 3 10:56:37 MDT 2007


Hello List,

Disclaimer:  I do not have any connections or inside information about motor
oils or any additives.  Please take the information in this e-mail and links
for what it is worth.  I am only stating my thoughts and opinion about the
subject.  Sometimes peoplebs opinions contradict one another.  I received a
written response from Castrol concerning flat tappet camshafts and oil
recommendations.

The question posed to Castrol;

I have a british engine that has a flat tappet camshaft.  Which Castrol motor
oils are recommended for a flat tappet camshaft engine?  I understand that the
zinc and molybdenum disulfide percentage was decreased or eliminated in the
new API service ratings.
Thank You

The response from Castrol;

Thank you for contacting Castrol,

Castrol is aware of articles in enthusiast magazines and web-sites, as well as
after-market parts manufacturer discussions concerning GF-4 engine oils and
cam-shaft durability issues in older performance vehicles. Some consumers
suspect the lower level of ZDDP in GF-4 oils may be causing these failures.
Castrol is currently investigating this issue.

For those consumers that wish not to use a GF-4 oil in these vehicles,
Castrol does offer the following products that contain Zinc at a level that is
typical of the Zinc level found in oils (API SG) marketed during the "muscle
car" era of time:

The following Castrol products have Zinc levels that are typical of API SG
oil:

1.  Castrol Syntec 20W-50 (*NEWLY FORMULATED classic oil formula - see link to
website below for information on our new 20W-50 product)
2. Castrol SYNTEC 5W-40
3.  Castrol Grand Prix 4T 10W-40 (product has been replaced by Castrol
Motorcycle 4T 10W-40)
4.  Castrol Grand Prix 4T 20W-50 (product has been replaced by Castrol
Motorcycle 4T 20W-50)
5.  Castrol GO! ATV 10W-40
6.  Castrol GO! ATV 20W-50
7.  Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 (full synthetic, available @ BMW
dealerships)
8.  BMW Long Life 5W-30 (full synthetic, available @ BMW dealerships)
9.  Castrol GO! 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil
10. Castrol GO! 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil

If installing a new performance cam in an older performance vehicle, it is
important to:
    * follow the installation recommendations provided by the cam
manufacturer
    * use the recommended cam break-in lube
    * prime the engine oil circuits
    * use the recommended engine oil.
    * confirm valvetrain geometries prior to starting the engine with the new
cam

*
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=82915470&contentI
d=7032644

Castrol Consumer Relations

My opinion is stated in the next e-mail Update 2
Regards, Greg Perry


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