<VV> Conventional vs synthetic motor oils

[Jim Simpson]

The "leak" issue is not quite an old wife's tale or an urban legend, but it 
comes close.  There is a basis for it -- when synthetic oils were first 
introduced there were leak issues.  This was a result of the oils not have 
the proper seal swelling additives.  That's been taken care of decades ago, 
but the memory lives on.  Lots of these things stay around because of some 
old-time mechanic's story or an article in a 1960 issue of Popular 
Mechanics.  Long obsolete data!

I imagine this issue originated because of Amsoil -- they got into the 
market by selling synthetic oils originally made for gas turbine engines 
(jets).  The founder of the company figured that if this stuff was good 
enough for a jet engine, it must be fine for an internal combustion 
engine.  He was half right.  Unfortunately he really didn't understand all 
the issues, seal properties being one of them.  But he did understand 
marketing and built an Amway-like sales organization of true believers.

Note, I'm not saying Amsoil isn't any good.  The company has learned a lot 
since they started in the '50s.

I noticed that you're in Topeka, KS.  That's where I bought my Corsa ('66 
Corsa turbo coupe) a LONG time ago.  I picked it up used from the 
Dodge/Chrysler dealer as the second owner.  It was originally bought by the 
owner of the Dillons grocery store chain -- does that still exist in Topeka?

Jim Simpson, Group Corvair