Official "What oil / additives should I use" topic

[Wildthings]

[thunderhead289]

Allow me to annoy everyone.

I use whatever oil weight gives me a hot idle of 20-30 PSI (i dont drop below 10w-30) and with flat tappet stuff i add a zinc additive.
in race engines i use synthetic because it doesnt break down under heat as bad - id assume air cooled vw stuff is the same since they get pretty hot.

when i run zinc additive, i have never had to readjust my flat tappet solid lifter v8 cars that run way more spring pressure than these vw's.
in my mind, adjustment needed = missing material.

accomplished v8 engine builder (knuckle dragger to you all im sure ha!)

[vugbug68]

[turbotype1]

[vugbug68]

[DeathBySnuSnu]

So.....
I have been reading a lot of good stuff about this next generation of modern oils. As I understand it the oil companies are addressing some of the issues that have come up with low zddp oils.
I do not know if it will ever get there or not but oil is still changing.

I hear good things about this one (in other weights also).
I am looking at trying this one (weight too) in mine.
I am nearing 3000 miles and all well with 5w20 dino.
Intend to go synthetic.

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[Zundfolge1432]

[DeathBySnuSnu]

[Thread]

Figured I should contribute. 67 Type 1 I’ve owned for 25 years

Engine is a 1776
Dual relief with stock springs and pistons
Full flow oiling system
Gene Berg 26mm oil pump
Gene Berg 239 pressure relief cover
Gene Berg 3.5 quart street sump
Remote oil filter

I had been running the “traditional” 20w-50 for as long as I can remember because “that’s what everyone said to do” and well the samba wasn’t around back then. And I pickled the car for about 10 years after the clutch cable tube broke free and I was getting a family going.

Anyways, it’s back on the road now. Initially with this motor I was again running the 20w-50 and getting OMG oil pressure when cold. It would of course drop when it got hot but would also get hotter than I liked when on the freeway. Pushing 240 at times.

Read this thread a few times and being older it made a lot of sense. So I put some Amsoil signature 5w-30 in it and have been very pleased. When cold it’s got much less pressure but it’s steadier on the gauge. Likely because the pressure relief system can actually work. And as it warms pressure does not start to drop as drastically.

It got up into the 90s today and driving on the freeway a new thing happened. It never got above 215 UNTIL I pulled off and was idling. At idle I had just under 10psi pressure which is fine but, the temp would inch up to maybe 230. That is until I moved again and very quickly the temp would drop to a steady 215. Which to me means the cooler is actually doing its thing and the oil isn’t bypassing it because the pressure is high. At no point driving, even on the freeway would it go past 215 even doing 70.

With the 5w-30 the oil really seemed to reach an equilibrium on temp and pressure the 20w-50 just couldn’t.

Interestingly enough, with the 5w-30 the straight cut cam gears aren’t as noisy either. I like the noise they make, it’s just quieter with the 5w-30 oil. But that could be more the Amsoil than the weight. I don’t know.

I’ll be sticking with the 5w-30, it seems that it’s workkng well.

[norris]

I've been using that exact same Amsoil for about 3 years with the exact same results in my 2276. I'm sold on the product for sure. It's a bit more expensive than most, but after reading some extensive unbiased test results and my personal experience, it'll be all I ever use as long as it's available.

[Frodge]

I was told by several older acvw mechanics that have been doing this stuff for decades to run a good 10w30 or 10w40 on a stock engine and change it frequently. That’s basically what I do.

[mark tucker]

5-20 syn for about 80,000 miles sofar for mine.but Ive only been into vw's for about 17 years, so I havent learned all the old antiquated crap....although I do have a model T roadster.....

[Motor60]

What oil are you running if you have a Webcam?
Says will void warranty if racing oil is not used....
Does Mobil 1 count?

[glutamodo]

[Teeroy]

Valvolone VR 1 conventional with my Web cam on 2 different engines
_________________
Pres. Rivercity VW Club www.rcvwclub.org
Founder Derr Wheat Panzers (DWP)
ARR #3
www.autosportsnorthwest.org

[otiswesty]

PennGrade 1 is suppose to have good zinc levels and should be good for a Camper Special motor or application where zinc containing oils are specified

https://www.penngrade.com/penngrade-1/

Now available at Halsey Motors in Portland
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1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[Bruce]

[Toller]

Here in the Great White North an oil has been developed specifically for flat tappet engines. http://www.camoils.com
I have gone the route based on recommendations on this forum with worst being synthetic which i found would leak out of places that conventional Dino grade would not. Unfortunately, availability is limited to Canada and contrary to statements on the web site we now have two distributors in Ontario. At under $10 CDN when I buy a case it has accomplished everything that it has advertised it is capable of doing for my 47 year old 1500. Temps are in spec, pressure is has been lowered and the valve noise has been reduced. Not as quiet as my Hemi in the Ram but it is noticeable

[Bruce]

[Mr Beckstar]