High ZDDP Oils

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Nov 2, 2015
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Location
wyoming
Hey. Had my 3FE rebuilt. The shop recommended using a high ZDDP oil in it. The highest ZDDP oil that I found is Lucas SAE Racing Oil at 3,130 ppm. It's a 20W50 oil though. Anyone using this stuff? Other recommendations? Thanks for the help.
 
Rotella Diesel Oil is what I run in my Datsun, 1FZFE and know a Land Cruiser shop that recommends it too.

The Zinc is lower than the race oil (about half the ppm), but too much zinc and you can also damage what's left of you catalytic convertors.

Just remember, they come in SAE containers.

So if you're used to a 5 Quart jug, most of these diesel oils are 1 Gallon = 4 Quarts, so your purchase quantity will need to change. I was used to buying 1 big "5 quart" and a 1 quart for my Datsun in conventional oil (5.5 total oil change), I was half a quart short with the same purchase packaging logic; maybe I'm just an simple idiot though.
 
I always used Rotella T4 or Delo 15/40. Tried 10/30, going back to the 15/40. Due to increased consumption.
310,000 miles 1993 80
 
Hey. Had my 3FE rebuilt. The shop recommended using a high ZDDP oil in it. The highest ZDDP oil that I found is Lucas SAE Racing Oil at 3,130 ppm. It's a 20W50 oil though. Anyone using this stuff? Other recommendations? Thanks for the help.
I've used this in my FJ60 with good results backed by Blackstone tests. also, IDGAF about my cats as they're old and I don't have emissions testing where I am located, so I'm not worried about cat degradation from high Zinc.

Shell is a cheaper / easier option, and lastly you can add a bottle of ZDDP Plus or other Zinc additive to pretty much any oil.
 
Hey. Had my 3FE rebuilt. The shop recommended using a high ZDDP oil in it. The highest ZDDP oil that I found is Lucas SAE Racing Oil at 3,130 ppm. It's a 20W50 oil though. Anyone using this stuff? Other recommendations? Thanks for the help.
There are a few good oils with high dino-vites and I've probably used most of them. These days I tend to stay away from anything with "racing" on the label. You shouldn't need a 20-50 with a fresh rebuild, save the thick stuff when it gets old. I always add a bottle of some ZDDP.
22 years on a 2F rebuilt by me.

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I would go castrol GTX classic oil for the break in.


Change the oil at 500, 1500, 3000 and 5000 miles and 5000 miles there after.
 
Agree with @Pighead Val. VR1 is going to have the highest ZZDP content that I know of thats not a boutique oil and can be found almost anywhere, that is still pretty good despite the "racing" label. Should be available in the proper weights as well with out having to have to jump way up the viscosity scales

I like Mobil1 Delvac 1 in the 5/40 flavour for the 1fZ myself (so not sure how that will play with a 3F) and it has a very high ZZDP content but not as high as VR1 IIRC that is.
 
@oldwalrus : are you asking which oil you should use for a break in oil??

What exactly was rebuilt/replaced in the engine ie: did the machine shop reuse the cams and lifters or are they all new?

Are you prelubing the newly rebuilt engine and following a standard break-in procedure?

If so then pick an oil that is labeled "Break In" oil. Examples: Driven Racing oil BR30 or Lucas Break In oil 30W. It's not just ZDDP you want (and not just the max level) it's the total formulation of the Break In oil.

After the break-in period any Synthetic 15w-40 engine oil should be good ie: Chevron Delo 400 XSP 15W-40 which is a diesel oil that's also approved for Gasoline engines.
 
If you have access to Penrite oils theyre available with high ZDDP

I run their HPR 30 in my FZJ80 (have done so since new) and my parents used to have a FJ80 3f and it ran the same

 
The diesel oils were higher for a period of time about 2008 or so right after they stripped it out of the gas engine oil. That time has passed and they are now low zinc also but they do clean really well. Your right to be concerned about the cam on your 3fe. mobile classic or lucus classic/hotrod should be good, i would get that over their race oil. I wish it was as simple as more zinc is better but there is more going on. For your first oil to run it for 300 miles or so i would use a break in oil.
 
Over the last 25 years in my 60 & 40 I’ve used Rotella 15w-40, Delo 15w-40, currently running Mobil One 15w-50 which I can always find @ Walmart at a decent price. All high in ZDDP.

Right @ 400k miles with a rebuild by myself at a little over 300k. Still runs like a top!
 
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Hey. Had my 3FE rebuilt. The shop recommended using a high ZDDP oil in it. The highest ZDDP oil that I found is Lucas SAE Racing Oil at 3,130 ppm. It's a 20W50 oil though. Anyone using this stuff? Other recommendations? Thanks for the help.

Here are some guidelines for choosing the right motor oil for your older/newer vehicle. A bottle of STP has about 300-600 ppm and adding a bottle to your oil can actually lower the amount of ZDDP. ZDDP oil chart(For All Oil Brands/Types) | Engine Oil Journal - https://engineoiljournal.com/zddp-oil-chart/
 
@VPP that’s a good link with some great info on ZDDP.
 
The latest version of all the mainstream fleet DEO’s have less ZDDP than they used to. Oil companies are using “advanced” as less anti-wear additives that play better with modern diesel emissions systems.

My guess is that the site posted previously showing a list of oils and their ZDDP content is outdated
 
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