Engine Oil Weight?

[BradH]

What Oil Weight do you run in your Alfa? I am considering going to a fixed weight oil like 30wt and am wondering if anyone else had done the same?

I have a 73 Spider that has a few miles on the engine (probably original) and has some valve noise (nothing major). I had a mechanic once switch a pickup of mine to strait 30wt to quiet down some valve noise caused by worn valve guides. I am wondering if that would be a possibility for an Alfa? Or is their some reason why I wouldn’t want to do that.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

[kerryo12]

My Alfa mechanic says ONLY 20W50 for Spiders. I go with that.

[alfasrule]

I also use 20/50, but if I got some engine noise, like you described above I will use 6 qts of 20/50 and 2 30w

[Alfacliff]

I use gtx 20w50. I see no reason thinner oil will quiet valves, only leak more through worn valve guides. some cars with hydraulic lifters might be helped with thinner oil, but my spider has no hydraulic lifters.
cliff

[Tifosi]

Your pickup likely had hydraulic lifters (if it was made in the last 35 years or so anyway) which are somewhat more receptive to viscosity changes AFA quieting them down.

Your spider valve drive train is full on mechanical, and will always make some noise regardless.

[Tifosi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfasrule I also use 20/50, but if I got some engine noise, like you described above I will use 6 qts of 20/50 and 2 30w

[lowmileage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradH What Oil Weight do you run in your Alfa? I am considering going to a fixed weight oil like 30wt and am wondering if anyone else had done the same? I have a 73 Spider that has a few miles on the engine (probably original) and has some valve noise (nothing major). I had a mechanic once switch a pickup of mine to strait 30wt to quiet down some valve noise caused by worn valve guides. I am wondering if that would be a possibility for an Alfa? Or is their some reason why I wouldn’t want to do that. Any opinions would be appreciated.

[BradH]

Ahh, I did not think about the Hydraulic Lifters

The noise is very subtle and probably normal. I guess that I will just have to deal with it. Thanks for the input.

PS I appreciate your guys help it is nice to have a sounding board here!

[Tifosi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmileage (the Soft Dog's friend)

[lowmileage]

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[dmarland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfacliff I use gtx 20w50. I see no reason thinner oil will quiet valves, only leak more through worn valve guides. some cars with hydraulic lifters might be helped with thinner oil, but my spider has no hydraulic lifters. cliff

[Dan in WA]

BradH,
I also struggled with this question. After reading many, many threads here from the very knowledgeable and helpful members, Castrol 20w50 seems to be most often recommended, and is also recommended by the local Alfa shop that has extensive experience. Now the difficult part. As a result of EPA action to prolong catalytic converter life, oil formulations were changed to reduce ZDDP (Zinc dithiophosphates) levels. This can be harmful to pre 1989 engines (excluding some synthetics, motorcycle oil and conventional racing oil, however racing oil contains little or no detergents and are designed to be changed <500 miles). Since I prefer a conventional oil changed frequently, I spent an incredible amount of time on research and selected an oil additive that I hope will prevent cam damage while doing nothing harmful to the engine (like foam or form sludge). I should add that I hate oil additives and have never used them before (I’ve seen engines disassembled that used STP). You may want to spend some time finding something that you are comfortable with.
I hope this helps,
Dan

[BradH]

I think that I am convinced to go with 20w-50.

What oil additive did you end up selecting after your research. I would like to look into additives and that would be a good benchmark/place to start

Additionally what was wrong with the engines that used STP that you mention?

Thanks for the input

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan in WA BradH, I also struggled with this question. After reading many, many threads here from the very knowledgeable and helpful members, Castrol 20w50 seems to be most often recommended, and is also recommended by the local Alfa shop that has extensive experience. Now the difficult part. As a result of EPA action to prolong catalytic converter life, oil formulations were changed to reduce ZDDP (Zinc dithiophosphates) levels. This can be harmful to pre 1989 engines (excluding some synthetics, motorcycle oil and conventional racing oil, however racing oil contains little or no detergents and are designed to be changed <500 miles). Since I prefer a conventional oil changed frequently, I spent an incredible amount of time on research and selected an oil additive that I hope will prevent cam damage while doing nothing harmful to the engine (like foam or form sludge). I should add that I hate oil additives and have never used them before (I’ve seen engines disassembled that used STP). You may want to spend some time finding something that you are comfortable with. I hope this helps, Dan

[Tifosi]

STP ends up like a comnglomerated mess of molasses and roofing tar cold patch all over everything by the time it's done 'settling in'.

Makes everything about as sticky gummy too.

[Cosmo]

I use Penrite Oil: Penrite Oil Company website home of Penrite lubricants in my 1968 Spider.

I've been using the HPR30 which is a 20W-60 weight oil, they also do a Classic 20W-50.