All Small Six Importance of Zinc in our stock engines?

This relates to all small sixes
Hard to argue with physical tests. I must admit I was in the category of “ this is what we have always used, high zinc is a must”. This is a nice consolidated pice of the whole blog👍.

Interesting to see Valvoline at the top of the list. That's what I use, not so much from "always done it this way" as 40+ years of old engines that run forever and are completely clean if opened up.
I don't know what the zink level or shear compression is in Valvoline Conventional, it must be good, has worked from break in on in countless engines. If the law required them to lower the Zink content, they clearly put something else in that kept it working, or high Zink was not necessary in this quality oil blend. . It'll take more than published Zink numbers and the latest consensus to induce me to change what has always worked. "If it still ain't broke- why 'm I fixin' it"?
 
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U dont hafta !
Here’s nother ol tail I head several times. I dont understand it so have not followed.
We can tell which oils (by company name) come from which lands, no?
I’ve heard folks say “Dont get merican. It has a waxy build up. Only get the Arab stuff.” Now
this was B4 Hugo & the southern oil was such a large factor so not sure what was up w/dat
for this tale. Any 1 hear this said? No way to prove it + or - I imagine... (I should pose it on BTOG).
 
U dont hafta !
Here’s nother ol tail I head several times. I dont understand it so have not followed.
We can tell which oils (by company name) come from which lands, no?
I’ve heard folks say “Dont get merican. It has a waxy build up. Only get the Arab stuff.” Now
this was B4 Hugo & the southern oil was such a large factor so not sure what was up w/dat
for this tale. Any 1 hear this said? No way to prove it + or - I imagine... (I should pose it on BTOG).
The Appalachian mountain oil is paraffin based (wax). Obviously they've done something about how terrible Quaker State and Pennzoil were 40 years ago, or they wouldn't still be in business. engines with that oil got completely sludged up.
Arab and western crude is ok. Valvoline's plant is on the bank of the Ohio River in Ashland KY. Their supply is piped in from LA, it's western US and Arab.
 
thnx 4 correction.
I should have said Penn oil not merican.
So U heard it too (yrs ago).
 
thnx 4 correction.
I should have said Penn oil not merican.
So U heard it too (yrs ago).
In high school (mid 70's) to get an easy credit, took Auto Shop. Lots of raggy worn out stuff, we'd pull the engines and tear down. The difference between the condition of engines based on oil used was unbelievable. Without exception the Pennsylvania based oils had ruined the engines. Had one Slant6 Plymouth, the rocker shaft was barely visible below a 2" deep layer of pure black mud filling the whole area. I could smell by blow by or the odor from the crankcase if the PA oil was in the engine. That's why I said those brands used to be bad 40 years ago, cause I have not touched them since that Auto Shop class. Many seem to have good results with Pennzoil or Q State, so that's great.
 
“...Many seem to have good results with Pennzoil or Q State, so that's great...."
U mean “today”, no? I’m surprised by this info. Cant C (the science, the physics)
in how/Y the Appala`chin would B any different than the rest of the world's. All those
local dineo’s have hi cholesterol?
I mean what U cite can B from other causes like 1) poor maintenance schedules...
Got an independant source... ?
 
“...Many seem to have good results with Pennzoil or Q State, so that's great...."
U mean “today”, no? I’m surprised by this info. Cant C (the science, the physics)
in how/Y the Appala`chin would B any different than the rest of the world's. All those
local dineo’s have hi cholesterol?
I mean what U cite can B from other causes like 1) poor maintenance schedules...
Got an independant source... ?
I remember( partially 🥹 ) in college a discussion about the geopolitical origin of oils and I remember the same thing, one area was better oil ( better grade ). Can’t remember where is was but probably the same information. I think the additive package is important in current oils nowadays. I haven’t heard anything about where it comes from as being important in a long time
 
did we spread more wive’s tails then? was
there less science in the garage? Yes,
but Frank’s got me goin now as I remember
in MA this rumor. “Waxy”.
I think you/he said "parifin based". Well dont
they refine parifin from any/all oil?

“... the additive package is important ...”
yes, the fine print (API SN) requirements
in the owner’s manual should match the
fine print on back of container (no worries
as today's ‘modern' standards has higher
specs / is backwards compatable for ‘us’.)
wear reduction, corrosion, detergents, etc
 
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