Oil additives

[JohnnyPopper]

I looked carefully at the categories and where to drop this PSA. This seems the most appropriate. If not, I'm sure it will be relocated by our crack team of mods. 

50 years of serious wrenching, seen so many things come and go for various reasons.

Oil quality and additives have always interested me, as growing up poor, it made sense to pay attention to things that actually worked to keep the heart of your ride alive, for as long as possible.

 I had a cohort in my early 20's that saw a demo of measuring oil quality in protecting your engine. As he described it, a  small roller bearing was pitted against a steel wheel of a larger diameter, bathed in the oil as it turned. Measurable pressure was applied to the roller until it smoked. First to fail: Penzoil 30w. Best at the time: Castrol GTX 20-50.

So when I happened upon a similar demo, using weighted leverage to test additives I was keenly interested. The subject was a roller bearing against a hardened spinning steel surface. A stabilizing additive that I have used for YEARS was applied, and when 6 lbs of weight was applied it smoked. More of the same product was applied, at the same speed and weight leverage, no diff.

Enter the contender: a tiny swab of this product not only stopped the noise, but stopped the burning.

I bought a gallon. I have a few high mile cars that I wanted to try it on.

1. Wife's Euro twin DOHC V6. 162K miles. Cringe, even after oil change, on starting. At least 30-45s of clatter from the timing chains. NOW, 15s, if that.

2. '66 Olds Rocket 425 V8. Valve train tapping, on drivers side, intermittent. Now, Quiet...

3: My K10 TH350 is on her last legs. Keeping her clean to keep her alive. Symptom: funky double shifts- as in- reverse is felt, then positive engagement follows. GONE. ( I expect haters to go off on this one! All fun and games! )

If you find this interesting, and acknowledged that I'm not a Troll (see history?) I'll be glad to share it with you

[zieg85]

This too interests me and always have.  I recently purchased the $1 per ounce stuff to try out on my 2020.  I haven't seen the mpg gains as advertised.

[JohnnyPopper]

Here you go Zeig! ProLube

[zieg85]

Here you go Zeig! ProLube

Yep, that is the stuff.  Jury is out yet.  I didn't notice anything on my 2020 with the 4.3L but summer mpg is what I am going to judge.

[JohnnyPopper]

Did you watch the demo? Didn't look like smoke and mirrors...

Do you have a theory why this board has died? So many views, but no comments... Are peeps afraid to speak, for fear of being labeled (fill in the blank) or has the last 5 yrs stifled projects due to 'muhflation'? I asked this years ago, have suffered from this very thing during those years.

Just wondering...Where is everyone?

[zieg85]

I see a lack of traffic.  Facebook takes over for those who have it. 

[RossVE]

I'm here, been stalking mainly for several years. I generally feel that I don't have enough knowledge to offer input on most subjects and would rather stay quiet than to give incorrect information. But I find this forum to be the most informative (and sometimes entertaining) platform that I've discovered. I'm not a fan of social media as I find it to be full of misinformation and trolls.
  And back on the subject, I am very interested in any additive to improve the quality of life of any and all of my projects!

Sent from my CPH2583 using Tapatalk

[bd]

In reminiscence, with little relevance to the present, I'm sure, I drove a 1969 VW Beetle with a 1835 cc, dual Weber 44 IDF's, Scat 296°, 0.420" lift cam, etc, etc, etc.  It was a rolling investment in epic adventures.  Extreme engine heat is the nemesis of air-cooled engines like that vintage VW, and extreme measures are taken to mitigate it.  Even so, with all the precautions taken and remedies in place, engine internal components are exceptionally stressed due to the severe-duty environment.  I used two products in the day (one still available) that provided notable benefits. 

The first was Fluoramics Tufoil Engine Treatment, a PTFE-based (Teflon) oil additive.  It qualitatively helped reduce engine temperature, extended oil-change intervals, and noticeably improved fuel mileage, although I've retained no quantitative data from that many years ago to defend the claim.  In the mind of a hungry college student, the drawback of using the product was its price.  The product is still available. 

The second notable product, which fell out of production decades ago, was Union 76, 20w-50 Graphite engine oil.  It was the only oil available at the time (known to me, at least) that could withstand the extreme heat produced by a highly modified VW engine and still provide suitable lubricity w/o breaking down.  It was the only oil that prevented galling of valve train rocker shafts, adjusting screws, and valve tips!  Its biggest drawback?  The graphite component created a filthy black mess with which to contend during oil changes or when leaks occurred.  Some people complained that the graphite would plug oil filters.  I ran a full flow filter with an external cooler and never experienced that issue in many hard miles.

Those were simpler days, loaded with fun and many a trip into the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, interspersed with coast and high-mountain adventures.   

[bd]

I should add that the BEST oils for any given application shouldn't need any additives!