Oil question (I know we all love these!)

It's not "Mustang" related so I thought I would put it here. You guys a very knowledgable.

I have been using 10w40 in the Superbird and Thunderbird, adding a half quart of Lucas break-in oil for the extra zinc these old engines need.

However, after much research I am planning on using Valvoline VR-1 racing oil which has enough zinc.

Here is the question for you to consider:

The VR-1 appears to only come in 10w30 or 20w50 for my application (no straight SAE's will be used).

Which would be better to use in these 40 year old engines (running from 45 to 90 degrees) the 10w30 or 20w50?

Thanks!

I don't know anything about the Valvoline you mentioned but if you were talking about conventional motor oil 20-50 is too heavy, 10-30 or 10-40 would be the max you would want to go even in the hot months of summer, If it was winter and you started an engine with 10-40 you better have a strong battery and a healthy starter as 10-40 cold will be a thick as molases. Maybe new cars would use 20-50??? but I wouldn't put that weight oil in an older engine, just my opinion based on what I have always been taught, but I don't know much about the new motor oils. I have had the best luck using mobil 1 full synthetic 5-30 or 10-30 in the summer, when the oil is due to be changed it still looks clean. Let me know how it works for you.

I would use 10 w30. the 20 w50 may be a little too thick to run in your engine. and may be a little harder to start. but you could always try one and then the other too see which works better. neither one will damage your engine. i just think the thicker the oil makes your engine work harder, which in turn gets a little less fuel economy and performance. but its your preference on which you think your engine likes better. so try both if you want to. but just to state, diesel engines run 20 w50.

I've been using Vegetable oil for years

BraMas wrote:I've been using Vegetable oil for years

Hahahahahaha

BraMas wrote:I've been using Vegetable oil for years

In the engine Tim, not what you use as a marital aid.

Wow, one whole vote. LOL

Anyway, appreciate the input guys. I will use 10w30.

20w50 is a popular weight for some Goldwingers. Go figure.

ok if you are looking for the higher zinc count you should go with the rotella t 15-w40 that they run in the ford powerstokes all the engine shops recomend it as breakin oil do to its high zinc.(the shops here local.dowkers and poterville machine shop that is)as for 20-50 it is very thick and i have only used it in motors on the death bed you know ones were the oil presure is droping of do to bad bearings it helps take up the gap.this is just my 2 cents though.

wingedone wrote:Wow, one whole vote. LOL

Anyway, appreciate the input guys. I will use 10w30.

20w50 is a popular weight for some Goldwingers. Go figure.

Am I the only one who voted?

there i voted too... i know my car struggles to start on cold days with 10w-40 so i gotta assume that if i tried 10w-50 it would just laugh and kick me in the junk