Some here may use an Engine Oil Supplement.

What "brand" do you use ?

 

I do not use any supplements. Are any worthwhile?

 

The government of the USA has mandated the removal of "anti scuff" agents in most engine oils, many years ago.

MANY posts speak about rocker arm/valve tip wear and some about oil pump "G" rotor wear, etc.

When an EOS additive is added to this "modern" engine oil, the life of these type of items can be more than DOUBLED !

Let is find which one will work best ?

 

Nothing in the crankcase Lance, but I sure love Lucas Fuel additive.

 

I DO know they removed zinc compounds a while back.
Is there a practical way to replenish that?
I also realize there are a huge number of those compounds, so one might be judicious in their use

 

Many EOS include Zinc.
A good point IS to check for content

 

Which zinc compounds are most beneficial or advantageous?

 

I used Schaefer’s ZDDP additive in my circle track days. As of late, I’ve used Lucas ZDDP additive in both a truck I have and my Chevelle, before I switched to Gibbs LS30 in the Chevelle, which has ample ZDDP for my usage. A point to note here is that neither of these vehicles have catalytic converters. Zinc is hard on the converters and will ultimately hurt them. The clean air folks tell us that the zinc is also harmful to the atmosphere. Not trying to turn this into a EPA or political discussion, so let’s not go there, and keep it on topic.

 

Thanks for those VERY valid points Scott!
While doing the best things for my engine is very important to me, it is just as important to keep my vehicle able to pass inspection by not ruining the converters.
Sooo... the next question is- Is there an additive that can approximate the anti-friction properties of ZDDP without compromising emission gear?

 

Just my opinion, almost any brand name Synthetic has the replacements for ZDDP, Just like when E10 hit the pumps at first it was kinda nasty, but they eventually figured out additives included in the fuel to offset "most" of the issues. Oil is the same way, its always being improved. Like Lead Zinc is hard to replace.. but they do some pretty good chemistry..

.

 

I have used Teflon, EXTREMELY FINE, in engine oil.

That brand was Petro Tech.
I also used this in Two-Stroke fuel.

I believed this made the engine oil/fuel more slippery.

 

I used Slick50 back in the early 90’s, which was Teflon. Lots of folks laughed at the product, but we tested it and found power. With a carbureted application, you could add it to your crankcase, start the vehicle, and the idle would jump up 50 rpm after about 30 seconds and stay there.

 

Yeah, looking back, Slick 50 got a bum rap, mainly due to there being so much snake oil out there from the '70s on up. Turns out this was a good one.
I think one concern back then was that the Teflon would just end up in the filter, possibly clogging it.
I wonder how much improvement there was to fuel economy from the reduced friction.
I just googled PetroTech and Slick50. Slick 50 still is being sold. Petro Tech is in the wind.

 

I'm not calling you a liar, but I've never heard anything good about Slick 50 (except from people who were trying to sell it).

I'd heard from too many mechanics in the '90s that the teflon would actually end up hardening with heat cycles and lock the engine.

EDIT: As far as supplements go, I don't use any in my two vehicles right now, because both or them have rollerized valvetrains, and Iuse Mobil 1 in them (flame suit on).

What I used to use when I drove a flat-lifter truck (about 15 years ago) was the GM EOS. I had read (on a Ford site, of all places) that it had the highest zinc content available.
Later, I also read that STP Oil Treatment was the same thing.

 

Not sure if it’s even possible for the Teflon to hurt anything…idk. We never left oil in anything long enough to heat cycle more than maybe three times, but it would run at 250-275 degrees for a few hours at big rpm. Filter always looked good. My dad however bought into it after I told him what we were doing with the product and the benefits we had seen. I know he ran it for a couple years in his personal truck with no problems, but he’s changing the oil every 3k miles. The product is still around, but I haven’t seen it or heard of it in 20 years. I’m definitely not going to promote the stuff here, just stating what I’d seen personally. Oil technology has come so far over the last 20 years, there’s really no need for an additive really, unless a person has a unique setup that requires a special need.
Fwiw, I make my own assembly lube, using STP oil treatment (blue bottle) as a base.

 

After running Petro Tech, I found "little spots" of Teflon on the Rod/Main bearings when the engines were rebuilt.

 

Did you consider that a detriment, an advantage, or inconsequential?

 

Hi Gary, I found the Teflon "coated" bearing surfaces to be of good use.

Somewhat as in a frying pan, a no stick surface !

There is evidence of faster oil flow, good for cooling.

 

how have we not heard from @Polyalphaolefin yet on this?