More Oil Info from Tyler Jark

Tyler says...

I work in the oil industry and we blend and package virtually all types of lubricants and greases for many of the major names you are all familiar with.

1) Yes, today's API SM (some SL still out there with slightly higher additive amounts) engine oils have lower amount of Sulfur, Zinc and Phosphorus. This is because the Phosphorus in particular, "poisons" the catalyst in the catalytic converter that cleans certain exhaust emissions and the OEM's have to warrant that their exhaust systems will last for a certain number of miles (150K?).
A) Today's engines all have roller valvetrains that have much less friction than our "older technology" hydraulic flat tappet cams and lifters, so today's engines are fine with these oils.

2) A HDD (Heavy Duty Diesel) engine oil off of the shelf today will have enough protection for everyday use in older engines.
A) Typically, Phos levels will range from 0.10 - 0.14% Wt (1000 - 1400 ppm) in either an API CI-4 or the new for 2007 CJ-4 diesel oils.
B) Zinc levels will be similar e.g. 0.12 - 0.13% Wt (1200 - 1300 ppm).

In contrast, todays PCMO's (Passenger Car Motor Oils) with an API SM license will have a minimum of 0.06% Phos and a max (only if it meets ILSAC GF-4 "Energy Conserving") of 0.08% Wt...there is no maximum on Phos if the SM oil does not meet ILSAC GF-4. Zinc levels in an SM oil are typically at 0.08% (800 ppm) or 0.109% (1090 ppm) for an API SL oil.

Here is a link to API's website that shows the Engine Oil Guide with the different licensing classifications over the years. http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf

I will only be using products with proven higher amounts of additives (like Redline, they are not "Licensed" oils so they can have more additives) and full synthetic base oils like the SR-5 from Torco and the LubeATech Synthetic oils. For those who don't want to dish out the extra dough for these, a Diesel engine oil should be plenty sufficient. I will personally still break in my engine with the Castrol Diesel 15W-40 with oil additive added extra, continue running the HDD oil for a month or two, then swap out to the Synthetics.