What is a good SAE 30W oil?

[KBennett]

Not trying to start an oil war here, just need some good, honest input.



The boat I bought recently has a 283 Chevy from the 60's and has a sticker on the valve cover that recommends Heavy Duty SAE 30W oil. What is a good 30W oil these days? I use Pennzoil in the mower should I use it in the boat?



The main reason I brought this up is that I read an article in Hot Rod recently that companies have started taking zinc out of oil to meet EPA requirements and that it is hard on camshafts. Any thoughts?

 

[jwilliams3]

Kohler makes a signature 30SAE.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

My vote for the best SAE 30 engine oil is the AMSOIL SAE 30 Diesel Oil, and it is also approved for use in gasoline engines. Many of my customers use this SAE 30 oil, and I keep it in stock for that reason. PM me if you have more questions.

-Chuck



Here is more info on this oil:

AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30/SAE 30 Diesel Oil (ACD) is formulated with premium synthetic base oils that exceed both 10W-30 multi-grade and SAE 30 straight-grade viscosity requirements for outstanding performance in modern and older diesel engines. Unlike conventional SAE 30 motor oils, AMSOIL ACD has a naturally high viscosity index and does not contain paraffin (wax). It has a -36°F pour point and qualifies for SAE 10W, making it an “all season” multi-grade lubricant with a wide operating temperature range. AMSOIL ACD is formulated without viscosity index improvers (VI). This shear stable formulation stops viscosity loss and associated bearing and cylinder bore wear. AMSOIL ACD contains premium additives with a high 12 TBN to neutralize acids from blow-by, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and high sulfur diesel fuels. It protects against damaging piston deposits, ring sticking and sludge.



AMSOIL ACD is recommended for diesel engines and other applications requiring any of the listed worldwide specifications and gasoline engines requiring API SL, SJ, SH... or ACEA A3.



• API CI-4+/CH-4/CG-4/SL

• API CF/CE/CD/CC

• API CF-2/CD-II

• Global DHD-1

• ACEA A3/B3, E2, E3, E5

• JASO DH-1

• Mack EO-N Premium Plus '03

• Detroit Diesel Power Guard 93K214

• Caterpillar ECF-1

• Cummins CES 20076/20077/20078 (current), 20071/20072 (older)

• Volvo VDS3/VDS2

• Mercedes Benz 228. 1/228. 3/229. 1

• MAN 3275

• MTU Type 1

• MIL-PRF-2104G

• Allison C-4



Gasoline Engine Service



• In gasoline engines, oil drain intervals may be extended up to two times (2X) the OEM* recommended drain interval (not to exceed 15,000 miles without oil analysis) or one year, whichever comes first. Replace AMSOIL Ea™ full flow filter at the time of oil change up to 25,000 miles. Replace other brand oil filters at standard OEM* intervals.

 

[mberry]

I agree. Stick with the Amsoil and you'll be fine. Better than Pennzoil in anything in my opinion.

 

[KBennett]

Will synthetic have any effect on the old oil seals, etc. ?

 

[Duluth Diesel]

The high levels of detergents in AMSOIL Synthetic, as any good quality oil, can cause bad gaskets to be revealed, but this is pretty rare. The sludge and scum that may be clogging up a leaky gasket will be dissolved by the detergents, and the leak will become apparent. If your gaskets are good, then you are good. I'd rather run good oil and know when I need to replace a gasket than have an engine so full of crud that it starts making its own gaskets.

 

[nickleinonen]

how about some 15w40? i remember reading an engine break in article in some hot rod magazine, and they recomended diesel lube oil as it was high in zddp and was good on the camshaft lobes.



the only thing i would run straight weight oil in is a 2 cycle detroit diesel [and i'd only switch to that if i had trouble with multi viscosity oils]