Page 73 - Issue 37

mechanical action of moving Because most V-8 engines of fi lm, which reduces metal-to-
engine parts can literally tear apart, yesteryear came standard with metal contact. This is especially
or shear, the molecular structure fl at-tappet cams, the problem is important in modifi ed engines
of the oil. Oil that has sheared especially prevalent to owners of operating at higher temperatures
loses viscosity, often thought of as rat rods, classic cars and hot rods. and under higher pressures.
the oil’s thickness. Suddenly, your Roller cams, on the other Reduced ZDDP levels in motor
engine that’s designed to run on hand, are differentiated by rolling oil has been a hot topic among
10W-40 motor oil, for example, is contact rather than sliding contact. engine builders for years. Some
using what amounts to a 10W-30 Although more costly, roller cams attribute a rash of cam failures to
oil. Using the incorrect viscosity for are common in most modern modern oils that contain reduced
your engine can negatively affect vehicles and can be retrofi tted into ZDDP. So what should you do to
wear protection. Conventional oils older engines. maximize the wear protection of
are more prone to viscosity loss Zinc and phosphorus (ZDDP) your engine?
due to shear than synthetic oils. anti-wear additives added to For starters, use a high-
The cam lobe/tappet interface the motor oil play a vital role quality synthetic motor oil. The
is one notable area exposed to in protecting against wear in synthetic vs. conventional motor
extreme pressures, especially if these situations. ZDDP also oil debate has largely been settled.
you’re using fl at-tappet lifters or provides corrosion and oxidation Most people who care anything
high-tension valve springs. A thin protection. However, because about engines know by now
oil fi lm is the only barrier that the zinc and phosphorus found that synthetics are simply better.
prevents the lifter and cam lobe in ZDDP can negatively affect They’re made of higher-quality
from welding together. If the oil catalytic converters, it has ingredients, and they deliver
fi lm fails or provides insuffi cient been phased out of motor oil resistance to extreme heat and
wear protection, the two formulations in recent years. wear protection conventional oils
components can eventually wear just can’t touch.
the fl at-tappet cam and affect How ZDDP Works What’s more, use an oil fortifi ed
As temperatures rise and emperatures rise and
valve operation. As t with extra ZDDP for added wear
surfaces come closer together,
Engine power surfaces come closer together, protection. The motor oil market
ZDDP activates, and the
and effi ciency ZDDP activates, and the contains several options. Here
can decline if the resulting chemistry protects at AMSOIL, we offer Z-ROD®
resulting chemistry protects
critical metal surfaces.
fl at-tappet cam critical metal surfaces. Synthetic Motor Oil, which contains
cannot lift the When parts move during a heavy treatment of ZDDP for
When parts move during
valves enough to operation, any sliding extra protection.
operation, any sliding
adequately charge or rolling motion What’s the point of investing
adequately charge
or rolling motion
the chamber for takes place on top time and money into building your
takes place on top
ignition or release
ignition or release of or within the rat rod if you don’t take care of the
of or within the
ZDDP anti-wear
exhaust fumes. ZDDP anti-wear engine that powers it?
RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 73
72x73 Amsoil.indd 73 4/19/16 10:32 AM