That's pretty much what I think, too. And if a lack of ZDDP were going to
destroy our engines, it would no longer be academic - we'd all know somebody
with critical valvetrain wear or would have our own tappet problems.
-Mike Eldred
Wilmington, VT
1951 M38 Jeep
1954 MG TF
1973 Midget
1977 MGB
Sent from my iPad
On Jan 29, 2013, at 21:22, "Barney Gaylord" <barneymg@mgaguru.com> wrote:
> I try not to get involved in religious wars, but I am coming to Paul's
support here with considerable experience of my own. I have build a number of
MGA engines using a Crane Fast Street Cam (with a bit of extra lift), Heavy
Duty valve springs (more than stock spring force), short tappets and long
pushrods from the 18V engine, and sometimes alloy spring caps (but not
always). A couple of these engine I have done for other people, and no
complaints from them. A couple of these engine I have run in my own car. I
nearly always drive it like I stole it. I have done lots of competition work
in SCCA autocross events (and some local club events). In short, it is an
uprated engine driven by a heavy foot, sometimes at 7,000 rpm during
competition.
>
> For build it gets lots of standard grease on the cam and tappets (although I
would go along with the cam lube recommended by the cam manufacturer). For
first run and break in the engine runs 2500 rpm for 20 minutes with no load
(to run in the tappets). After re-torque it can go racing, right out of the
box, although it may take up to 500 miles for the rings and cylinder walls to
loosen up. I use 20W50 oil for the break in, change it at 500 miles, then run
20W50 in warm weather and 10W40 for a considerable amount of winter driving.
I use almost exclusively NAPA brand oil which I think is made by Valvoline,
nothing special, just regular street car engine oil. I change oil and filter
at 4000 mile intervals.
>
> The engine currently in my car now has 88,000 miles, running like a champ,
and very good cam and tappets. I have never used any special additive in the
oil (accent on no additional ZDDP), and I don't intend to do so. I'm sure
most of the hype about ZDDP additives is over blown and unnecessary. I'm also
sure most of the discussion and concern for lowered ZDDP content in modern
motor oil is a waste of concern (although I wouldn't chastise anyone for
adding ZDDP to the oil for the break in period of a new engine if it makes
them feel good).
>
> I do believe that success and long life of a new cam and flat tappets
depends greatly on quality of the parts. I would never trust a reground cam
to be properly hardened, and I would exercise proper concern for procuring
good quality tappets with adequate hardness. I firmly believe that most (if
not all) of reported premature cam failures are a result of sub-standard parts
or improper installation, and none of it has anything to do with lowered
amount of ZDDP in modern oil.
>
> All comments are welcome, as I stand resolutely with Teflon coating and
asbestos underwear.
>
> Barney Gaylord
> 1958 MGA with an attitude (and 400,000 miles)
> http://MGAguru.com
>
>
> At 04:01 PM 1/29/2013 -0800, Max Heim wrote:
>> I just want to point out two things:
>>
>> - You apparently don't drive very hard.
>>
>> - You have a low-compression motor.
>>
>> Higher-performance models used for rallies and track days may have a
>> completely different experience.
>>
>> As they say, YMMV...
>> ....
>
>
>> on 1/29/13 3:46 PM, Paul Osborne at paul@ece.rochester.edu wrote:
>> > Ok, here we go . I'm going to be the wrench in the works. 6 years ago I
fully
>> > rebuilt an 18V engine and placed it service in my 74 BGT. This is a
daily
>> > driver, no show car here , nice but a driver.
>> > The clock reads 72000miles. since that time I have done the regular
maintance
>> > , a set of brakes and tires . Now I drive about 500miles to my cottage
all
>> > most 3 times a month from may to oct.
>> > I use Quakerstate 20w50 oil. only I have noticed nothing but
running
>> > well. My opinion, may there is a need for this additive, maybe it
may
>> > help, but I owen and have owen 5 mgs . my GT
>> > I bought new, and I see no adverse problems with the oil I use in my
cars.
>> > ....
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