Oil Type and Weight?

[steve1973]

I run 5W-20W in mine. The original owners manual specifies 5W-20W under 32 degrees. Brand doesnt matter as long as it meets the current API standards. Many of those brand names are just Blenders. They buy base oil from someone else and add an additive package they buy from someone else and slap their label on it. If you really want to learn more, go to www.api.org

 

[1986cj7]

My uncle used to work for Kendal as a chemical engineer as well as the company that pioneered white oils and synthetics talking to him is like listening to a Russian speak Latin with a German accent. Be that as it is his answer was a not so reassuring "sure" Basicly in older flat tappet motors IE 20 years ago not a problem,but here is the hitch OLDER flat tappet motors. newer ones maybe not . .Also in newer roller motors maybe not as lifter and rocker rollers require different lubricants.As he says 20 years ago a lifter was a lifter and engines lasted 60,000 miles as manufactures began to build engines that would go 100/200 thousand miles there internal parts metallurgy began to change ,requiring specific oil additive packages to the point where some oils were engineered for a specific car and adopted by others I.E. 0w30 wich I would never put in my motor. While diesel oils of yesterday had high levels of zinc and phosphorus todays don't. The need to control soot has been greatly reduced with the introduction of ultra low sulfur diesel. So what may have worked yesterday may not work today like using "diesel oil" in a gas engine it just depends on what is in YOUR engine and what those parts are made of. And to some extent when they were made.

Good point. This helped me understand a little more. Racing Oil vs. Street Oil: Know the Differences | Dragzine