Zinc In Oil - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1972RedNeck · 12-20-2012, 08:41 PM

I recently found some military spec oil. it has a .14% zinc content. In my mind, that translates to 1400 PPM. Is this correct?

Here's the specs.

Z10 · 12-20-2012, 08:57 PM

1% = 10,000 ppm.

Daner · 12-21-2012, 12:50 PM

yes that's correct. To find ppm just convert the % to a decimal then move the decimal point 6 places to the right. Or if it's easier multiply by one million. So .14% = .0014 = 1400ppm Or .0014 x 1,000,000 = 1400ppm

That oil looks like diesel engine oil. Not sure how that zinc # compares to other diesel oils.

oldblue1968chevy · 12-21-2012, 02:55 PM

Alot of our (af) engines/equipment are diesel engines.

Where would you find this oil to the public anyway?..

1972RedNeck · 12-21-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Alot of our (af) engines/equipment are diesel engines.

Where would you find this oil to the public anyway?..

I went to an oil distributor in great falls and asked about zinc additive or oil with zinc. He had a few cases and said he could get barrels and might be able to get a tote.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daner

That oil looks like diesel engine oil. Not sure how that zinc # compares to other diesel oils.

I have done a fair bit of research on oil and found that the diesel oil today doesn't even have zinc (Zinc wreaks havoc with catalytic converters). When it did have zinc, it was between 900 and 1300 on average.

PAWS 72 · 12-22-2012, 02:04 AM

Been wondering the same.I read on a bottle of STP oil treatment and the bottle had ZDDP(same thing?)in it.

I know back when me and the wife married her father always run the oil traetment in his vehicles.never any oil useage.

Just wondering.

John Pasinski · 12-22-2012, 12:34 PM

Search Brad Penn oil. Great stuff

Daner · 12-22-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

I have done a fair bit of research on oil and found that the diesel oil today doesn't even have zinc (Zinc wreaks havoc with catalytic converters). When it did have zinc, it was between 900 and 1300 on average.

I've heard that too. So what vehicle are you gonna use the oil in?

1972RedNeck · 12-22-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daner

I've heard that too. So what vehicle are you gonna use the oil in?

It's only $10 a gallon and all of our vehicles get the catalytic converter removed as soon as we bring them home, so why not run it in all of them?

Daner · 12-23-2012, 01:04 AM

Well I guess aside from the additive package being different there's no reason not to. I know lots of guys with old vehicles that use diesel oil in their old cars for the zinc. Me I like to stick with gas engine oil in gas engines and diesel in diesel.

1972RedNeck · 12-23-2012, 04:59 PM

It is my understanding that gas engine oil used to have zinc too. In the '70's when the gas vehicles started to have to have catalytic converters, the gasoline motor oil could no longer have zinc.

cableguy0 · 12-23-2012, 05:20 PM

Zinc was in all oil up until the early 2000's Around 2008 zinc was removed from diesel oil as well. You either need to use a dedicated oil that has zinc in it or run a zinc additive. ZDDP is zinc but it usually isnt enough. STP oil treatment does NOT have enough zinc for a flat tappet cam. Joe Gibbs and Brad Penn and Valvoline racing oil are a couple off the top of my head. Comp cams,Edelbrock,Lunati etc etc etc all sell a zinc additive that will allow you to use any off the shelf oil.

GEARBOXGARAGE · 12-23-2012, 05:37 PM

AMSOIL and Royal Purple aslo have oil with zinc fortified additives. I've been a fan of Royal Purple for years and highly recommend it. Here's Royal Purple's link for their HPS (High Performance Street) Oil. There is also a ton of info on there site for many of there oil products.

http://royalpurpleconsumer.com/produ...!hps-motor-oil

cableguy0 · 12-23-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEARBOXGARAGE

AMSOIL and Royal Purple aslo have oil with zinc fortified additives. I've been a fan of Royal Purple for years and highly recommend it. Here's Royal Purple's link for their HPS (High Performance Street) Oil. There is also a ton of info on there site for many of there oil products.

http://royalpurpleconsumer.com/produ...!hps-motor-oil

Those two are my most reccomended choices.Not sure why I didnt mention them in my post above. Both are insanely good oils in the first place. You will not see engine wear with these oils well past 200k miles.

Marv D · 12-26-2012, 10:34 AM

Just a mention here,, ANY oil with the API Starburst sold as over the counter as automomotive oil has a REDUCED level of ZDDP and other soluable metals. ALL OF THEM!!!. Klotz, Gibbs, RedLine, Amsol, RoyalPurple, Valvoline They can not have the API starburst and meet the EPA new standard for reduced ZDDP / Lead / etc. (including Rotella / Delo and all diesel oils as of 2008 as mentioned)

ONLY a off road oil (like the Royal Purple XPR) still has the full ZDDP package. It is not sold in your local PepBoys, and is marked 'NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE'. Royal Purple is a great oil,, I use it in most everything,, including the XPR in the race motors. But don't confuse the $18 a quart XPR with the $10-$12 standard over the counter, API / EPA version for highway cars. Even R.P., Amsol.. everyone who has the API starburst,, follows the SAME rules for reducing heavy metals.

GEARBOXGARAGE · 12-26-2012, 02:45 PM

Great info, Marv D. Also, GM has an additive, E.O.S. (Engine Oil Suppliment) that's available at just about any GM Dealership/Service Department.

cableguy0 · 12-26-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEARBOXGARAGE

Great info, Marv D. Also, GM has an additive, E.O.S. (Engine Oil Suppliment) that's available at just about any GM Dealership/Service Department.

Not anymore.....EOS has been reformulated and no longer has enough zinc in it either.The only safe bet are oils or additives that specifically state zinc content.

70K10Hunter · 12-26-2012, 08:51 PM

OK so what are the benefits? (hope its not a dumb question)

cableguy0 · 12-26-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70K10Hunter

OK so what are the benefits? (hope its not a dumb question)

Benefits of what? Zinc in oil??

Zinc in the oil is the only thing that allowed flat tappet cams to survive. Without zinc the lifters and cam and lifters will eat each other. Its an absolute neccessity in an older flat tappet cam engine. Its 100 times more needed in engines with higher lift flat tappet cams.

70K10Hunter · 12-26-2012, 09:48 PM

So it sounds like they have been phasing the zinc out, what have they been using in its place? my truck that I am building will NOT HAVE a catalytic converter and hopefully I can eliminate the O2 sensors also, I will look into the zinc additive.

cableguy0 · 12-26-2012, 09:56 PM

Most off the shelf oils have nothing in place of the zinc. Older engines are being killed due to cam failures at a ridiculous rate. If its a new enough engine to have catalytic converters and o2 sensors it probably has a roller cam.

70K10Hunter · 12-26-2012, 10:06 PM

1997 L31 Vortec 5.7

cableguy0 · 12-26-2012, 10:22 PM

You have nothing to worry about. That engine has a roller cam. Roller cams are not affected by the lack of zinc in modern oils. You can basically run whatever oil you want.

**67carry-all** · 01-15-2013, 01:54 AM

Any thoughts or experience with Quaker State Defy? Found one reference on-line that notes ZDDP at 1200 for this oil.

PAWS 72 · 01-20-2013, 02:40 AM

Ttt

12-20-2012, 08:57 PM	#2
Z10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 1,267	Re: Zinc In Oil 1% = 10,000 ppm. __________________ 1969 RS/SS Z10 Camaro Pace coupe 1972 GMC Short Step buildhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6356218 1979 Mazda RX7 1979 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 & 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 1999 Honda Valkyrie 2006 Corvette Z06 2010 BMW 650i

12-21-2012, 12:50 PM	#3
Daner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wildrose, North Dakota Posts: 300	Re: Zinc In Oil yes that's correct. To find ppm just convert the % to a decimal then move the decimal point 6 places to the right. Or if it's easier multiply by one million. So .14% = .0014 = 1400ppm Or .0014 x 1,000,000 = 1400ppm That oil looks like diesel engine oil. Not sure how that zinc # compares to other diesel oils. __________________ Dane 67 Chevy Fleet 250/4 speed 1/2 ton 68 Chevy 250/4 speed 1/2 ton for parts 49 GMC Grain truck 235 1 1/2 ton 76 Chevy 350/4 speed 1/2 ton

12-21-2012, 02:55 PM	#4
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Zinc In Oil Alot of our (af) engines/equipment are diesel engines. Where would you find this oil to the public anyway?.. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

12-22-2012, 02:04 AM	#6
PAWS 72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sheffield, ALA Posts: 2,472	Re: Zinc In Oil Been wondering the same.I read on a bottle of STP oil treatment and the bottle had ZDDP(same thing?)in it. I know back when me and the wife married her father always run the oil traetment in his vehicles.never any oil useage. Just wondering.

12-22-2012, 12:34 PM	#7
John Pasinski Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: orlando Posts: 456	Re: Zinc In Oil Search Brad Penn oil. Great stuff __________________ A man's thoughts devise his ways; but it's GOD that directs his steps.

12-23-2012, 01:04 AM	#10
Daner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wildrose, North Dakota Posts: 300	Re: Zinc In Oil Well I guess aside from the additive package being different there's no reason not to. I know lots of guys with old vehicles that use diesel oil in their old cars for the zinc. Me I like to stick with gas engine oil in gas engines and diesel in diesel. __________________ Dane 67 Chevy Fleet 250/4 speed 1/2 ton 68 Chevy 250/4 speed 1/2 ton for parts 49 GMC Grain truck 235 1 1/2 ton 76 Chevy 350/4 speed 1/2 ton

12-23-2012, 05:20 PM	#12
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Zinc In Oil Zinc was in all oil up until the early 2000's Around 2008 zinc was removed from diesel oil as well. You either need to use a dedicated oil that has zinc in it or run a zinc additive. ZDDP is zinc but it usually isnt enough. STP oil treatment does NOT have enough zinc for a flat tappet cam. Joe Gibbs and Brad Penn and Valvoline racing oil are a couple off the top of my head. Comp cams,Edelbrock,Lunati etc etc etc all sell a zinc additive that will allow you to use any off the shelf oil. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-23-2012, 05:37 PM	#13
GEARBOXGARAGE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sturgis, Michigan Posts: 509	Re: Zinc In Oil AMSOIL and Royal Purple aslo have oil with zinc fortified additives. I've been a fan of Royal Purple for years and highly recommend it. Here's Royal Purple's link for their HPS (High Performance Street) Oil. There is also a ton of info on there site for many of there oil products. http://royalpurpleconsumer.com/produ...!hps-motor-oil

12-26-2012, 10:34 AM	#15
Marv D Registered Truck Offender Join Date: May 2008 Location: hells training ground (aka Ariz) Posts: 3,118	Re: Zinc In Oil Just a mention here,, ANY oil with the API Starburst sold as over the counter as automomotive oil has a REDUCED level of ZDDP and other soluable metals. ALL OF THEM!!!. Klotz, Gibbs, RedLine, Amsol, RoyalPurple, Valvoline They can not have the API starburst and meet the EPA new standard for reduced ZDDP / Lead / etc. (including Rotella / Delo and all diesel oils as of 2008 as mentioned) ONLY a off road oil (like the Royal Purple XPR) still has the full ZDDP package. It is not sold in your local PepBoys, and is marked 'NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE'. Royal Purple is a great oil,, I use it in most everything,, including the XPR in the race motors. But don't confuse the $18 a quart XPR with the $10-$12 standard over the counter, API / EPA version for highway cars. Even R.P., Amsol.. everyone who has the API starburst,, follows the SAME rules for reducing heavy metals. __________________ Still playin with trucks, even at my age! When you're dead, it's only a problem for the people around you, because you don't know you're dead. .....It's kinda the same when your STUPID. I just did my taxes and reviewed my SS statement. Thanks to the current administration it looks like I will only have to work till noon on the day of my funeral. Last edited by Marv D; 12-26-2012 at 10:42 AM.

12-26-2012, 02:45 PM	#16
GEARBOXGARAGE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sturgis, Michigan Posts: 509	Re: Zinc In Oil Great info, Marv D. Also, GM has an additive, E.O.S. (Engine Oil Suppliment) that's available at just about any GM Dealership/Service Department.

12-26-2012, 08:51 PM	#18
70K10Hunter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Hill Country Posts: 435	Re: Zinc In Oil OK so what are the benefits? (hope its not a dumb question)

12-26-2012, 09:48 PM	#20
70K10Hunter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Hill Country Posts: 435	Re: Zinc In Oil So it sounds like they have been phasing the zinc out, what have they been using in its place? my truck that I am building will NOT HAVE a catalytic converter and hopefully I can eliminate the O2 sensors also, I will look into the zinc additive.

12-26-2012, 09:56 PM	#21
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Zinc In Oil Most off the shelf oils have nothing in place of the zinc. Older engines are being killed due to cam failures at a ridiculous rate. If its a new enough engine to have catalytic converters and o2 sensors it probably has a roller cam. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-26-2012, 10:06 PM	#22
70K10Hunter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Hill Country Posts: 435	Re: Zinc In Oil 1997 L31 Vortec 5.7

12-26-2012, 10:22 PM	#23
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Zinc In Oil You have nothing to worry about. That engine has a roller cam. Roller cams are not affected by the lack of zinc in modern oils. You can basically run whatever oil you want. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.



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01-15-2013, 01:54 AM	#24
67carry-all Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 273	Re: Zinc In Oil Any thoughts or experience with Quaker State Defy? Found one reference on-line that notes ZDDP at 1200 for this oil.

01-20-2013, 02:40 AM	#25
PAWS 72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sheffield, ALA Posts: 2,472	Re: Zinc In Oil Ttt

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