Engine treatments & Synthetic oil

[MidwestKITT]

Has anyone used the Rislone, Sea-Foam, Slick 50, Lucas or other treatments?

I have an '83 Trans Am, 305/Cross-Fire engine, with 40000 miles on it. I drive it less than 1000 easy miles a year. I'm getting ready for the annual oil change. I think I have a bit of lifter noise on startup. Do any of these treatments help or hurt?

Also, I'm getting ready for the annual oil change. I'm thinking of switching from 10w-30 conventional to 10w-40 synthetic oil. Any nightmares there?

THANKS

 

[melsg5]

Your vehicle has a flat tappet cam and you must use an oil with high zinc/phosporous. Modern oils unless specifically made for older cars will cause premature camshaft and lifter wear. There are many articles on the internet dealing with this issue. A good oil to use for a vehicle driven infrequently is Valvoline VR1. It is available both as a 10W30 and a 20W50. If you live in a climate with warm temperatures year round you can use the 20W50 otherwise the 10W30. I believe Mobil 1 synthetic has a 15W50 made for older cars but look at the zinc/phos. content to be sure.

 

[MidwestKITT]

I just did some searching for ZDDP and got a lot of "opinion". I could not find a listing or comparison of ZDDP for various oils. Also, what is the recommended minimum amount, 1200 ppm?

Also, any thoughts on the "treatments" out there? Are there possible problems with them?

 

[melsg5]

Signup on this site http://forums.corvetteforum.com/ go to the C3 Tech/Performance forum. There is a long sticky thread on top where someone has done an analysis of many different oils or see if you can access it directly through this link. Only treatment I had used is STP because it has a high zinc/phos content.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-...56-motor-oil-wear-test-and-lab-test-data.html

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[8tracks&pontiacs]

I know you posted this over three months ago, but I have driven older cars for years and I have used STP in them religiously. I used to have a Studebaker from 1963, and like you said, there are a lot of 'Opinions' regarding ZDDP out there. I came to the conclusion through study and inquiry of other classic auto enthusiasts that STP has all you will need for a classic that is getting driven under normal conditions. I use nothing else. But I would not drive without it in any of my older vehicles.

 

[kscmac]

Oil & additives

I run Royal Purple and the durango has over 200,000 miles on it. Replaced water pump and radiator and thats it! I use lucas fuel/cleaner treatment in all of my cars, with the stupid 10% ethanol alcohol in our gas now. In my 1996 Grandam SE 3.1l engine, over 234,000 miles, only have changed water pump, belt tensioner pulley, thermostat. If I hear a knock or other engine noise and have ruled out other things I will put 1/2 quart dextron III tranny fluid in the oil and run it for about 5 minutes then change out oil & filter.