Not sure if you guys read this or not... It's about camshaft lobe failure over the past 12-18 months in flat-tappet cam motors since the new API service classification with motor oil. Very informative read.

Here's a link: How To Understand The Slippery Truth About Motor Oil - High Performance Pontiac

The short of it is the new API and ILSAC classifications call for less Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate (Zinc and Phosphates, aka ZDDP)) be blended into oil. These elements are anti-wear additives believed to cause catalytic convertor failure, so they are being reduced, without a good viable alternative developed yet. With the reduction of ZDDP, flat tappet cams are failing, and comp cams has even issued a disclaimer with their new cam shafts. Roller cams seem to be unaffected.

But many of our "stock" motors are flat tappet cams... and as HPP has documented As insurance, I added a bottle of STP 4 cylinder oil treatment, which has a higher content of ZDDP, according to the label. The 4 cylinder treatment isn't as thick as the old blue bottle... might try the blue bottle with 5W30 oil. The sad part is that all synthetics, in order to conform to the new classifications, also have less ZDDP in them as well.

It looks like yet another attempt to get older cars off the road. Just curious to see what the enthusiasts think about this one.

I wouldn't worry about stock cams. The slow, lazy ramp profiles on a stock cam are nothing like those on a modern high performance aftermarket cam.

Magazine articles are too limited to what they will tell you. For all the info you'll ever need on oil, go here.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

I'd have to question their example failure:

"Even with top-quality oil and routine changes, our Pontiac had developed a distinct exhaust "pop" under load. Since its cam and lifters were over 10 years old and had traveled several thousand issue-free miles in that time, we hoped to find something as simple as a rocker arm that needed readjusting. But once the valve covers and valley pan were removed, we found much worse--a severely worn camshaft lobe. With no real wear on subsequent lobes or lifters, it appeared we were victims of an oil-quality-related failure." (emphasis added) Why would oil only cause one lobe to wear? The oil goes to all of the lobes - if the oil isn't doing the job, they should all be worn. They either had a cam with a soft lobe, a bad lifter, or another engine-related (such as lube supply) problem. Being 10 years old doesn't change any of that.

From another picture caption on Page 3: "Both the cam and lifter were high-quality, name-brand units. Break-in and normal use included top-quality synthetic oil that met the latest standards." Did they use the synthetic during break-in? If so, DUH! (Not sure if this was the same cam they talked about on Page 1.)

One way to avoid an additive problem with flat-tappet cams is to use a racing oil. They don't have to meet the GF standards, so will keep the zinc/phosphorus content high. Of course, that always is brand-dependant, and they can change their formulas anytime they wish without notice. As always, "Buyer beware."
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Don't paint with too broad of a brush here. If they aren't trying to meet the GF specs, that won't be the case.

Truck/diesel oils and synthetics still contain the EP antiwear additives (Shell Rotella may still, and Mobil Delvac at least does at last check). Your other options are full PAO synthetics, like AMSOIL or Mobil 1 (be careful which Mobil you buy), and/or Howards direct lube flat tappet lifters.

GM Engine Oil Supplement,
has lots of zinc.

check out 'bob is the oil guy' forum, for more info

Penn Grade is another that has high Zinc values still. I use it on every new motor we break in just for that reason.

In the interest of full disclosure, the 5W-30 AMSOIL synthetic I use in my flat-tappet engines is called "heavy duty diesel", but it also meets the gasoline SL rating requirements (but not GF4). I chose it primarily because of its high wear protection properties and low volatility, valuable properties in those highly-stressed engines (racing & towing). It also has a high TBN (total base number), which is indicative of its ability to resist acid corrosion, an issue with engines that spend more time sitting than running (which again, both of these do).

So, it's a great anti-wear oil, great storage oil, and coincidently, a great flat-tappet oil.

Yes, the reduction in ZDDP has been discussed on the BITOG forums. If you want oil with ZDDP, use Mobil1 Truck & SUV oil, or most any HDEO (diesel engine) oil like Rotella, Delvac or Delo. I also believe that one of the BEST aftermarket additives is Valvoline Synpower Oil Treatment (VSOT), it's add pack is very good.

GC (German Castrol, 0W-30) is supposed to be pretty good as well. I think Autozone carries it. Be sure to look for the "made in Germany" on the back of the bottle.

One more tidbit:


Whats New

Thanks for all of your opinions guys. I know oil can be a hostile subject (like spark plugs and 02 sensors) but thanks for being polite and respectful.

Five7kid, I understand where you're comming from with the test subject in question... and I do think most any 10 yr old flat tappet cam in a push rod motor is going to have one of "those" lobes regardless of design. It's just... maybe I'm paranoid, but it smells a lot like the oil company crusher program in California a few years back.

Then again who knows?