<VV> Selecting an oil - (No Corviar)

[Jim Houston]

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
>
>
> Rick & Janet Norris wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Castroil?  Isn't that the stuff your mother (maybe your grandmother) 
>>> make you take when you were sick?  If it is for human consumption, 
>>> probably not appropriate for your car.  <GRIN>
>>>
>>> Later, JR
>>
>>
>> Well,
>> I certainly remember what it did to me when I was forced to take it 
>> as a kid so I don't want my Corvair to do that!!
>>
>
>