Re: lubricants

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Jan:

There's "Racing" oil and then there's "Racing" oil.  What I mean is that 
sometimes oils (and other things, too) are marketed as racing products, 
just to attract a particular customer.  Other oils are made specifically, 
and exclusively, for racing use.  The difference is that real racing oils 
may not have certain additives needed for street cars, like seal 
conditioners and detergents.  Generally, they are not multi-viscosity, 
either.  The extreme example of a real racing oil would be the old Castrol 
R, which was a castor bean oil, rather than petroleum-based.  I'll bet the 
Valvoline you're using has all the additives for a street car, but if not, 
I wouldn't use any non-detergent oil in a street car.  You can probably 
find as much detail about the oil as you'd need on Valvoline's web site.

Along those same lines, the synthetics like Mobil 1, don't damage seals, 
but may, because of their high detergency, clean deposits from old seals, 
causing them to leak.  I think there are more advantages than disadvantages 
to the synthetics, but that's a topic that always creates a heated debate.

As for the ATE Blue brake fluid, it's great stuff, and it's in all my 
cars.  They also make the same fluid with a gold color, so during a bleed 
you can watch for the color change, and know that all the old fluid is 
flushed.  One time you use blue, the next time gold, then blue, etc.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 11:15 AM 6/21/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2003 10:50:09 +1200
> From: Jan Czaban <dk715@domain.elided>
> Subject: lubricants
>
> I've been using a Valvoline NON-SYNTHETIC lube oil called
> "20-W-50-RACING OIL". In my 71 spider for many years. Have tried
> some synthetics including Mobil, the Racing oil blend, in my estimate the 
> Racing Oil is
> far superior. AT temperature, you floor it and you can't hear engine clatter
> of any sort, plus it doesn't hurt seals
>
> also have found a supply of "ATE Blue" brake fluid at a VW supplier here 
> in Ottawa Canada.
> Haven't had any of this since about 84. Now have Solid pedals and 
> absolutely no brake fade!
>
> any one else use these or have comments?
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