ZDDP removal conclusions.

leefrankpierce · Sep 5, 2013

Now that we have some time on non-ZDDP oil...
Has any one had a cam/lifter failure that they think was caused by no ZDDP?
How big of a deal has this really become?

Decision I am trying to make:
I have a non-roller 302 sitting on a stand with the heads off. I think it received a cheap-o rebuild before I got it. I never ran it.
I am trying to figure out if I should build it, or get a roller block to start with?
If going roller... then cost of conversion lifters seems to make a roller block make more sense than a non-roller block.

The_Dude · Sep 5, 2013

It's not that hard to get oil with enough zinc for your cam to live. I'd probably just run it, unless you're rebuilding anyway.

Rorin67 · Sep 5, 2013

leefrankpierce said:
Has any one had a cam/lifter failure that they think was caused by no ZDDP?

Yes. I meticulously perform oil changes on the '67 daily driver, as well as tune it to run as perfect as possible. A couple of years ago a lifter and cam lobe wiped each other out. I have no other explanation other than I wasn't using ZDDP additive or ZDDP rich oil (just the plain ol' Valvoline 10W-30 off the shelf).

How big of a deal has this really become?

Well, to me it was a big deal. Had to replace the whole cam and all lifters. I also feared that shards of metal from the worn-down cam lobe and lifter were now circulating thru my engine. If and/or when a total rebuild comes due, I'll be going roller conversion, no matter the cost. For now, I meticulously use STP Oil Treatment (which has lots of ZDDP) with each oil change and occasionally in between when the oil gets low. It's been 20,000 to 30,000 miles since, and all is OK at the moment with using the additive.

leefrankpierce · Sep 5, 2013

Its kinda like good 14 inch tires.
You can still get them, but for how long?
I do not want to over-react and switch blocks for no reason, but... I am not going to bother to hunt down additives each time I change oil either.

leefrankpierce · Sep 5, 2013

Looks like rorin67 was answering while I was typing.
So I guess I switch blocks or change lifters.

The_Dude · Sep 5, 2013

leefrankpierce said:
Its kinda like good 14 inch tires.
You can still get them, but for how long?
I do not want to over-react and switch blocks for no reason, but... I am not going to bother to hunt down additives each time I change oil either.

No need to hunt down additives. There are many oils readily available at any autoparts store or even Walmart for that matter. I buy Valvoline VR1 30w by the case, but there are certainly others. Any 4-stroke motorcycle oil or diesel oil (15w40) still has enough zinc. It's going to be around for quite some time.
Having a roller cam is nice just because you don't have to worry about it at all.

Rorin67 · Sep 5, 2013

The_Dude said:
Having a roller cam is nice just because you don't have to worry about it at all.

Agreed. And for me, with the '67 as my daily driver, I would like that satisfaction. Oh someday...

zray · Sep 6, 2013

Mobil 1 15w-50 is a great choice that has plenty of zddp as is.

Truthfully, there is no reason to worry that you will not be able to buy compatible oils or the zddp additives in the future. ( check out zddp plus ). If you have to worry about something, it shouldn't be the oil not being available.

I've been using flat tappet cams in my daily driver classic Mustangs for nearly five decades now. Of course they weren't classics back in the beginning. Once the zinc levels began to drop, I just dealt with it. No problem.

Z.

Woodchuck · Sep 6, 2013

Marine, motorcycle and aviation oils still have adequate levels of ZDDP.

ZDDP removal conclusions.

leefrankpierce

The_Dude

Rorin67

leefrankpierce

leefrankpierce

The_Dude

Rorin67

zray

Woodchuck

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