1956 Plymouth 277 V-8. Less then 200 miles since being rebuilt. Driving pattern: winter, car is started every few weeks, and idles for 10-15 minutes -- not moved; summer, every few weeks, car is warmed up and then driven for about 2 miles. No highway driving. I just put in, for the first time, Valvoline VR-1 (10/W30).
Q - when should I replace the VR-1 (with fresh VR-1)?
thanks
I change my oil once a year. Some times it will have less than 500 miles on it. I always think it is better to change it more often since the car is not a daily driver. New oil less wear and tear on the engine.
once a year, because of water condensation oil will deteriorate.
Greetings from D?sseldorf! Go
I agree once a year, even if you've only gone 200 miles. I have to throw in my two cents about whatever the additive is that the new, more environmentally friendly oils are missing. I am not promoting any one product, but I am saying that what's good for the old engines is missing from a lot of modern oils. The last couple years I've been using Shell Rotella T 15w-40 because it already has the additive mixed in. It's probably overkill, but I also add a little 4 ounce bottle of ZDDPlus. My engine has 89,400 miles on it now, so having the heavier 40 weight top end doesn't hurt, and ditto for the additive that prevents further wear.
Quote from: PlymouthSpDelux on May 07, 2011, 12:53:25 PM
I agree once a year, even if you've only gone 200 miles. I have to throw in my two cents about whatever the additive is that the new, more environmentally friendly oils are missing. I am not promoting any one product, but I am saying that what's good for the old engines is missing from a lot of modern oils. The last couple years I've been using Shell Rotella T 15w-40 because it already has the additive mixed in. It's probably overkill, but I also add a little 4 ounce bottle of ZDDPlus. My engine has 89,400 miles on it now, so having the heavier 40 weight top end doesn't hurt, and ditto for the additive that prevents further wear.
The ZDDP in modern oil is at the same level as it was prior to being bumped in the 1950s to handle wear problems in the then new high performance push rod overhead valve V8 engines. So the ZDDP level matches or exceeds that for when your engine was built. And it far exceeds the ZDDP level that was in the oil when your engine was designed.
Pay extra if it makes you feel good. Your engine probably doesn't care.
As I said before, it's probably overkill... but sure, I'll pay $6 to feel good. ;D
I have an article in pdf format that is unfortunately too large to post here (1.72MB). It's called "The Evolution of Engine Oil: a few things you should know", by Dennis M. Vieira. If someone's interested, perhaps I can email it to them.
Quote from: TodFitch on May 07, 2011, 01:41:26 PM
Quote from: PlymouthSpDelux on May 07, 2011, 12:53:25 PM
I agree once a year, even if you've only gone 200 miles. I have to throw in my two cents about whatever the additive is that the new, more environmentally friendly oils are missing. I am not promoting any one product, but I am saying that what's good for the old engines is missing from a lot of modern oils. The last couple years I've been using Shell Rotella T 15w-40 because it already has the additive mixed in. It's probably overkill, but I also add a little 4 ounce bottle of ZDDPlus. My engine has 89,400 miles on it now, so having the heavier 40 weight top end doesn't hurt, and ditto for the additive that prevents further wear.
The ZDDP in modern oil is at the same level as it was prior to being bumped in the 1950s to handle wear problems in the then new high performance push rod overhead valve V8 engines. So the ZDDP level matches or exceeds that for when your engine was built. And it far exceeds the ZDDP level that was in the oil when your engine was designed.
Pay extra if it makes you feel good. Your engine probably doesn't care.