I just recieved this data from our local oil distributor.  It is
the update on the new Mobil 1 formulation and that for the new
Castrol Syntec.  They did not have the numbers for the new
Valvoline synthetics yet.  The data on the new Mobil 1 is pretty
impressive.  Based on these numbers, price, and availiability,
there is little need to look further for a synthetic oil.

The Syntec seems to be compromised by it's wide viscosity range.
Notice that the pour point is for all practical purposes, no
better than the Mobil 1 15W-50.  (actually, it's not as good) 
While, meeting the viscosity parmeters, the wide range is 
probably for marketing purposes.  The Mobil 1 15W-50 will pump at
-35 degrees F, which is as good as some conventinal 5W-30 oils.

Any of the ester based synthetics (AMSOIL, Mobil 1, and Syntec),
will give you the benefits that Castrol is making a big deal of in
their advertising.  The ability to cling to metal walls is due to
the polar nature of the ester base stock, not something unique to
Castrol's formulation.

The Data: (add to your current article)

Brand and Weight     VI    Flash     Pour     %ash     %zinc

Syntec 5W-50        180     437      -49      1.2      0.10

Mobil 1  5W-30      165     445      -65      ---      ---
	10W-30      160     450      -65      ---      ---
	15W-50      170     470      -55      ---      ---

 Ed Hackett   edh@wheeler.wrc.unr.edu     The Desert Research Institute 
 DoD #0200  WMTC  BMWRA  DIOC             Reno, Nevada   (702) 673-7380   
 KotLS  KtoLE  DotD #0003            I'm not really a chemist, I'm just one of
 900SS  K100RS  501 CAMEL            them motorsickle sonsabitches.  __=o&o>__
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That's all folks!

John Ritchie
ritchiej@ucs.orst.edu