Soon to do the oil change on my 107k ‘79…was wandering about the board’s opinion on high zinc content motor oils.
On another note, I understand that Redline MTL works wonders on old manual transmissions…
High zinc motors oil content
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Anbele
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Fri May 21, 2021 8:36 pm
- Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000 CS2
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kilrwail
- Posts: 1100
- Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:49 am
- Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
- Location: Perth, Ontario
Re: High zinc motors oil content
Absolutely. You want both high zinc and phosphorus to protect your cams and valves. I use Penn Grade 20W50 in both my vintage cars, which used to be Brad Penn and originally was Kendal GT. Over 1200 ppm of both. Others will chime in with alternatives.
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Peter Brownhill
1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider - original owner
1977 Porsche 911S - track car
2022 Ram 4 x 4 - hauler
PCA National Instructor and Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 2 Instructor
Peter Brownhill
1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider - original owner
1977 Porsche 911S - track car
2022 Ram 4 x 4 - hauler
PCA National Instructor and Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 2 Instructor
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Nut124
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:39 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider 1800
Re: High zinc motors oil content
I use Penn Grade 15-40 Semi Synt.
However, for the previous 25 years I ran Fiat twincams with various oils incl Castrol GTX and Mobil 1 Full Synt. Took out a cam that was run hard for 20 years and it was in perfect shape.
I think the zinc content is more of a concern with american flat tappet V8s where cam and lifter wear is common and an everyday topic at their forums.
However, for the previous 25 years I ran Fiat twincams with various oils incl Castrol GTX and Mobil 1 Full Synt. Took out a cam that was run hard for 20 years and it was in perfect shape.
I think the zinc content is more of a concern with american flat tappet V8s where cam and lifter wear is common and an everyday topic at their forums.
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neslam
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2021 3:14 pm
- Your car is a: 1977 124 Spider
Re: High zinc motors oil content
A friend in the lubricants business recommended PennGrade Classic multi-purpose gear oil, GL-4. Specifically for old transmissions where the synchros can apparently be damaged by modern GL-5 (and GL-4 / GL-5) gear lubes.Anbele wrote: On another note, I understand that Redline MTL works wonders on old manual transmissions…
I had some MTL and it looked pretty thin, so I didn't use it.
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TX82FIAT
- Posts: 1814
- Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
- Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
- Location: San Antonio
Re: High zinc motors oil content
I would not use PennGrade Classic multi-purpose gear oil, GL-4 in the Fiat Spider sycromesh trans. I know this is stated to be yellow metal safe. However, is it non-EP as well. GL1 90 is what the car is designed to use for the transmission. There are several brands to choose from, Millers, LubeTech, Napa, Bardahl. I used redline MT 90 and had significant metal in the old when I changed it back to GL1. As for the engine, right on with the zinc and 15W40 or 20W50 depending on climate you are driving in. Change the engine oil at the lesser 3000 miles or once a year.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!
82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
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neslam
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2021 3:14 pm
- Your car is a: 1977 124 Spider
Re: High zinc motors oil content
My owners manual specifies non-EP (extreme pressure) SAE 90 weight, so I'll stick with my grey haired lubricants guy's advice with GL-4 PennGrade Classic multi-purpose 80W90 gear oil for now. That said, it is a recent oil change so I'll see what it looks like at next oil change.
I had asked him about GL 1 oil and he said no, so I took his word for it.
Oils can be debated forever, (ask the vintage Porsche guys!), but that's my 2 cents worth.
Previous stuff had been in there for a very long time - no idea what it was.
The axle does specify EP oil.
Cheers.
I had asked him about GL 1 oil and he said no, so I took his word for it.
Oils can be debated forever, (ask the vintage Porsche guys!), but that's my 2 cents worth.
Previous stuff had been in there for a very long time - no idea what it was.
The axle does specify EP oil.
Cheers.