<VV> a different oil conversation

Bryan Blackwell bryan at skiblack.com
Sun Feb 27 10:17:17 EST 2011


Hi Ray,

I think the operative word here is "might".  I would not count on an oil with only 600 PPM of ZDDP (the SM minimum spec) to protect the cam.  I've heard of enough cam failures in Corvairs of fairly mild cams that I would suggest a minimum of 1000 PPM.  600 PPM might work, but it leaves very little margin for error for a long oil change interval or a low oil condition.  Bear in mind the spec only ran the test engine to 3600 RPM for a short period of time to show the SM oil was sufficient for a flat tappet engine.

My choice of 1000 PPM is based on the SL spec of 1000 PPM, which we know works based on many thousands of Corvair miles.

--Bryan

On Feb 26, 2011, at 9:56 PM, Ray Rodriguez III wrote:

> The conclusion I draw from this is that the ZDDP is probably a lot more 
> important to engines built with new parts, particularly hi-po custom builds. 
> Those with stock engines and original GM cams are far less likely to ever 
> have a problem and might not concern themselves with the ZDDP issue.



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