<VV> Selecting an oil - (No Corviar)

[James Davis]

Castor oil has the ability to stick like glue to any metal; 
especially steel.  It is much better than that respect than any 
petroleum oil or synthetic motor oil.  It is, however, a vegetable 
oil; thus breaks down at a relatively low temperature. Gasoline 
contamination is no, no.   Caster oil, nitro-methane, and camel corn, 
the true smell of race cars.
Jim Davis


At 08:41 PM 5/29/2006, Jim Houston wrote:
>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