Thread: Lifters

Modern oils and flat tappet old school pushrod engines don't mix. Avoid synthetic oils in these engines. Use an old style mineral based oil that still has a high zinc content in it as it's this that protects the cam/follower interface. Modern oils have reduced zinc content because catalytic converters don't like it, and most modern engines use roller tappets these days anyway.

Replacing a cat now and then is a lot easier and cheaper than a camshaft.

I recommend Valvoline VR1 which has plenty of zinc in it or KMart KMX 20/50 (which I use in my racing Mini where it has to service both the engine with race profile flat tappet cam and the gearbox/diff at 8,000 rpm).

Originally Posted by Traco

Modern oils and flat tappet old school pushrod engines don't mix. Avoid synthetic oils in these engines. Use an old style mineral based oil that still has a high zinc content in it as it's this that protects the cam/follower interface. Modern oils have reduced zinc content because catalytic converters don't like it, and most modern engines use roller tappets these days anyway.

Replacing a cat now and then is a lot easier and cheaper than a camshaft.

I recommend Valvoline VR1 which has plenty of zinc in it or KMart KMX 20/50 (which I use in my racing Mini where it has to service both the engine with race profile flat tappet cam and the gearbox/diff at 8,000 rpm).

Definitly makes sense, I'll give it a go. Will the brand of oil filter make much difference?
Thanks for the advise
cheers