SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: oldcanuck on November 02, 2020, 11:27:09 AM

Title: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: oldcanuck on November 02, 2020, 11:27:09 AM
Anybody running the high zinc Valvoline VR-1 motor oil in your hi-po 289 ?

If so, what variant and viscosity are you running, and can you give it some type of recommendation ?

Thanks in advance,

BG
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: gt350hr on November 02, 2020, 12:19:46 PM
   Yes 20-50.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: greekz on November 02, 2020, 12:52:18 PM
I am (have been) using VR-1 20-50 for many years in both Shelbys. 
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: 6T6/7 on November 02, 2020, 01:27:56 PM
I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: CSX 4133 on November 02, 2020, 01:38:12 PM

As an alternative to Valvoline Bob you might check out Brad Penn (Penn Grade) oil's. It has 1500 ppm of Zinc and 1350-1400 Phosphorus and a wide variety of oil weights.

~Steven


https://penngrade1.com

Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: s2ms on November 02, 2020, 02:49:02 PM
I'm using VR-1 10W-30 as well.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: greekz on November 02, 2020, 03:22:53 PM
Quote from: 6T6/7 on November 02, 2020, 01:27:56 PM
I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

Have been using 20-50 for 30 years in my street engines with no problems at all.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: Tinface on November 02, 2020, 03:27:01 PM
Great Post gentlemen. Thank you all. Confirms what I'm currently running. Although I believe the mechanic who didi the last oil change said 30 weight.

Is 30 weight alright?
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: gt350hr on November 02, 2020, 04:10:49 PM
Quote from: 6T6/7 on November 02, 2020, 01:27:56 PM
I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

   That is very dependent on locality and bearing clearances. Some current engines "demand" 5-20 because of their clearances.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: 69mach351w on November 02, 2020, 06:19:51 PM
I have been running VR1 20W-50 in my non-Shelby 67 Mustang 289 that was rebuilt, flat tappet in stock form in 2000.  Zero Problems.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: 68krrrr on November 02, 2020, 09:08:35 PM
My shop has me using this one 20 /50 with the high zinc mine
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: rcgt350 on November 02, 2020, 10:19:43 PM
I used VR-1 20W-50 for a couple seasons and then switched to Joe Gibbs 10W-30 High Zinc in my stock 67GT350

Original owners manual says 10W-30 so I did what it says, I'm still open to others thoughts on this though.

Joe Gibbs Racing Driven HR30 HR2 10W-30 High Zinc Petroleum Hot Rod Oil (Case of 12 Quarts) 02006
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: 6T6/7 on November 02, 2020, 11:25:52 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on November 02, 2020, 04:10:49 PM
Quote from: 6T6/7 on November 02, 2020, 01:27:56 PM
I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

   That is very dependent on locality and bearing clearances. Some current engines "demand" 5-20 because of their clearances.

Yes, agree.  I know my statement was pretty generic. Years ago I remember running Castrol 20-50 racing oil in my Boss 302 thinking is must be better since its "racing oil". As I've learned more about oil flow, bearing clearances, etc., I've developed the opinion that extra high viscosity is not always better. Obviously, running 20-50 isn't going to destroy an engine, as far as I know, or even show apparent problems in most cases. Although, hard to know what, if anything, is happening since its hidden and could be gradual over time. For what its worth, the owners manuals only call for any multi-viscosity with 40 weight for temperatures above 90F. Similar to how much zinc is needed, its difficult to draw a hard line. End the end, probably ok for anyone to use whatever viscosity their experience and comfort level tells them.         
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: csheff on November 03, 2020, 08:27:19 AM
Amsoil makes a good high zinc oil in 10w-30, 10w-40 & 20w-50 I use their oil in all my vehicles
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: gt350hr on November 03, 2020, 10:30:56 AM
   A low rpm seldom driven engine certainly does not need a high viscosity oil. A daily driver with freeway miles in weather like we have here in So Cal ( almost 90 today) is a good candidate. ANYTHING ( short of a late model "mod" motor) driven on the track "should" use a higher viscosity oil , even with an oil cooler. A small amount of common sense must be used. FE family engines have higher "natural" oil temps than "small blocks" , a higher viscosity should be used on them as well.
  Randy
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: Relicdog on November 03, 2020, 10:54:50 AM
I use VR1 10-30 racing oil an I add Cam Shield every oil change.

Relicdog
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: 427hunter on November 03, 2020, 11:40:25 AM
I have always run 20/50 vr1 - Just recently I found that Lucas hot rod oil has a lot more zinc, next oil change I am going to try Lucas.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: gt350hr on November 03, 2020, 01:24:20 PM
   Be careful , too much is as bad as not enough. The excess ends up as a film on the bottom of the pan.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: A-Snake on November 03, 2020, 02:12:56 PM
Another option to use with your oil of choice.

https://www.amazon.com/ZDDPPlus-Engine-Additive-Phosphorus-Bottles/dp/B006LB70SW/ref=asc_df_B006LB70SW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312114638367&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12701917811703780913&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9023256&hvtargid=pla-571407599476&psc=1
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: rhjanes on November 03, 2020, 04:48:53 PM
Quote from: A-Snake on November 03, 2020, 02:12:56 PM
Another option to use with your oil of choice.

https://www.amazon.com/ZDDPPlus-Engine-Additive-Phosphorus-Bottles/dp/B006LB70SW/ref=asc_df_B006LB70SW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312114638367&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12701917811703780913&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9023256&hvtargid=pla-571407599476&psc=1
And Lucas also makes an additive. 
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: oldcanuck on November 04, 2020, 04:22:18 AM
Thanks to all that have responded.

I have been using a ZDDP additive on all 3 of my cars, with 3 different viscosities that they require. 10W30 in the GT350, 10W40 in the L-72 and 20W50 in the Duetto. 

I know easier is not always better.... maybe I should just stick to what I have been doing in the past.
Title: Re: High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?
Post by: EdwardGT350 on November 04, 2020, 09:47:30 AM
checkout joe gibbs driven oil. adding zddp is not always better than having it already in the formula.