+1 on the diesel truck oil.  I've been using nothing but 15W-40 Rotella T or
Castrol for over 25 years going back to my road racing days and never had an
issue.

On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 5:47 PM, Mike S <mikes@flatsurface.com> wrote:

> At 03:01 PM 11/11/2008, Jim Felder wrote...
>
>> Maybe. I don't know for sure that an oil that you use in your car over
>> a wide range of conditions is necessarily inferior to an oil designed
>> to run a few hours flat-out in a very carefully designed mechanical
>> environment. I don't know that it's not true, either, but it's
>> probably worth looking into.
>>
>
> IMO, people are opinionated/emotional about oil because it's the most
> basic engine maintenance item under their control. When's the last time
> you heard of an engine failing due to the brand of oil used (other than
> truly exceptional conditions, like sludging, properly associated with
> poor engine design)?
>
> The only concern (again, IMO) is the EPA related reduction in ZDDP, a
> friction reducer important to flat tappet engines. I use a diesel (Cx)
> rated oil, since they're allowed to have more (Shell Rotella Synthetic
> 5w-40, if anyone cares). Other than that, modern oils are magnitudes
> better than what 20 year old engines were designed to use. Modern oils
> are 4-5 generations improved.
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27