But the reduction of zinc levels particularly were a threat to old car engines.
Zinc in oil for old cars.
Admin almost everyone who s into cars has an older vehicle that they love.
High zinc oil for classic cars.
Today many of the well known oil companies are offering oils formulated for vintage and classic cars.
Using a high zinc oil with a high dose of zddp additives helps protect classic car and hot rod engines.
The effects of zinc oil additives on older engines.
Under new governmental emission control regulations the anti wear additive zddp zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate and a related family of similar zinc salt additives zndtp or zdp and others are being severely reduced in the newest passenger car engine oil so that the zinc and phosphorus will not damage new catalytic converters.
Higher zinc levels in oil typically are for performance cars on the whole.
Whether it s the feeling that they get behind the wheel or the way the car looks parked in their driveway they pour their time and effort into maintaining the car and keeping it looking like it s just been driven off of the lot.
Nov 15 2019 by.
Recommended for pre 1980 cars their multi grade 20w 50 is formulated with.
Diesel oils soon followed suit until today no oil that is approved for on road use contains zinc.
The changes forced many enthusiasts to look for alternatives to the api approved oils that were fine for modern cars but scary to use in older cars and muscle cars with flat tappet cams in high compression v 8s.
Ilsac multi viscosity oils that are rated sm even feature special additives used for older engines that experts recommend for use in.
Regardless if you are purchasing off the shelf oil for your classic car ilsac multi viscosity oils rated sm or cj 4 should have stated zinc and phosphorus additive supplements for use in older engines or an additional separate additive should be purchased and used with the new oil.
When it comes to older engines and classic cars high zinc content is a must and some oil manufacturers even sell special engine oil that comes with elevated zdtp or zddp zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates content.
Amsoil z rod synthetic oil contains 1400 ppm zinc.
This means that not all current oils are appropriate for antique autos or even for those.
Zinc zddp and zdtp is especially useful for cars with flat tappet camshafts which means a lot of classic cars hot rods and older muscle cars need zinc more than other cars.
Chances are your classic car needs zinc oil additive to stay running strong.
While the formulations of modern oils have changed along with the innovations that keep the automotive industry moving forward your older car s specific lubrication requirements were frozen in time the day it was built.