<VV> Selecting an oil - (No Corviar)
James Davis
jld at wk.net
Mon May 29 21:55:49 EDT 2006
Castor oil has the ability to stick like glue to any metal;
especially steel. It is much better than that respect than any
petroleum oil or synthetic motor oil. It is, however, a vegetable
oil; thus breaks down at a relatively low temperature. Gasoline
contamination is no, no. Caster oil, nitro-methane, and camel corn,
the true smell of race cars.
Jim Davis
At 08:41 PM 5/29/2006, Jim Houston wrote:
>When I was racing Mini Miglia in England in 1973, we used Castrol R
>racing oil. Smelled like a model airplane!! Oh, we rebuilt the
>engine after every race, so I can't really comment on the longevity
>of the oil...
>
>Jim Houston
>
>
>Bill Elliott wrote:
>>
>>Actually, that's EXACTLY where the name came from. Back when
>>petroleum-based oils were in their infancy, Castrol developed a
>>castor-oil based product that provided superior protection. The
>>prewar MG's (and the early postwar MG's that were brought to
>>America) ran on the stuff. When you hear folks talking about the
>>"smell" of sports car racing, that's what they are talking about.
>>It's _extremely_ similar to the stuff Momma made you take...
>>
>>Some of the "hardcore" vintage racers (including the motorcycle
>>guys) still use it... but others just add a little bit to the
>>petrol tank for the characteristic smell. Lots of two stroke folks
>>use it as well... but the difficulty in getting parts for a 50-year
>>old two stroke engine means that I run synthetic there as well!
>>
>>I also found it was just about perfect to "stiffen up" Armstrong
>>lever shocks. Still available as "Castrol R" in motorcycle shops.
>>
>>(I also understand that in WWII (possibly WWI as well), many of the
>>RAF planes used this... some early ones with external
>>lubrication... leading to undesirable effects on the pilots in the
>>open cockpits. I further understand that a diet including lots of
>>cheese was somewhat of an antidote)
>>
>>Bill Elliott
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