<VV> a different oil conversation

[Ray Rodriguez III]

I agree that I wouldn't risk it on an engine I had any significant 
investment in or count on for transportation.  The comment I made was that 
if you have an original GM cam and original GM lifters there "should" be no 
risk.  The removal of lead from the gasoline should balance out the 
reduction in ZDDP (and yes, that's a lot of "should"!!)

This is based on reports I read online (and everything on the internet it 
factual right? =P) that stated the cam/lifter wear problem has only been 
noted on vehicles with replacement cams or at least low quality replacement 
lifters.. this includes replacement cams with stock specs. The difference is 
likely in the metallurgy, though big cams are more vulnerable.  They also 
mentioned that the only lifters they trust without question (at least as of 
a few years ago, things have improved a bit) are GM lifters.  They said the 
only way to be sure any other brand lifter isn't an import with questionable 
metallurgy is to disassemble a lifter and check the markings.

Of course none of this is for certain, just third hand evaluation of 
incomplete data.  Has anyone here seen a cam wipe out on an unaltered 
original engine that wasn't badly abused?  I'd say it's fairly likely not. 
Probably any instances where this has been seen involved badly neglected oil 
changes or running out of oil.

Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez III
Lake Ariel, PA
66' Corsa 140 coupe
63' Monza PG (winter driver)
65' Corsa 140 coupe  (under construction)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bryan Blackwell" <bryan at skiblack.com>
To: "Ray Rodriguez III" <vairguy at echoes.net>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> a different oil conversation


Hi Ray,

I think the operative word here is "might".  I would not count on an oil 
with only 600 PPM of ZDDP (the SM minimum spec) to protect the cam.  I've 
heard of enough cam failures in Corvairs of fairly mild cams that I would 
suggest a minimum of 1000 PPM.  600 PPM might work, but it leaves very 
little margin for error for a long oil change interval or a low oil 
condition.  Bear in mind the spec only ran the test engine to 3600 RPM for a 
short period of time to show the SM oil was sufficient for a flat tappet 
engine.

My choice of 1000 PPM is based on the SL spec of 1000 PPM, which we know 
works based on many thousands of Corvair miles.

--Bryan

On Feb 26, 2011, at 9:56 PM, Ray Rodriguez III wrote:

> The conclusion I draw from this is that the ZDDP is probably a lot more
> important to engines built with new parts, particularly hi-po custom 
> builds.
> Those with stock engines and original GM cams are far less likely to ever
> have a problem and might not concern themselves with the ZDDP issue.