Could anyone help me please. I’m wondering which type and brand(s)
of engine oil is recommended to use with my ''59 XK150 3.8 liters
which just had an engine rebuild? I have identified several
potential type/brands but not sure which would be the best in a
long run e.g. Castrol Classic XL 20w-50, Shell X-100 20w-50,
Valvoline 20w-50, Gulf 20w-50. I have told that a good multigrade
mineral oil is fine but want to be sure after expensive engine
rebuild!!! Are modern additives needed? Castrol Classic XL has some
additives but Shell X-100 (much cheaper) doesn’t define any but is
one of the original types/brands recommended…Has anyone a good
opinion/experience? I wouldn’t like to get into a new rebuild due
wrong oil.
Thanks!
P.S. obviously I’m planning to change oil regularly (every autumn
after few thousands miles) and not using the car in the winter.–
Jukkis
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In reply to a message from Jukkis sent Fri 15 Sep 2006:
Sigma, who have just rebuilt my 3.8 litre engine to a ‘‘Fast
Road’’ specification recommend Morris Multivis 15W/50.
Morris Lubricants are VERY well thought of by classic and
veteran car drivers, and they even make oils for steam
engines! They even run a steam lorry themselves (see the
News section of their website - Channel 4).
What Peter Lander of Sigma, and I, like about their
lubricants is that they publish a specification and
performance levels for their products, like this:-
If you have had your engine professionally rebuilt rely on
the builder’s advice.
John Eales who built the engine for my MGB GT V8 specified
Duckhams 20/50, and I have been delighted with that engine,
which has done 20k of Continental rallies in the last 9
years and is still perfect.–
Nigel J S Steward - 1959 XK150 DHC
Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from NJSS sent Fri 15 Sep 2006:
One thing to bare in mind, is that running in is a wear process,
i.e. the parts effectively wear each other smooth.
It is therefore important not to use too good an oil with anti wear
properties, otherwise there is no �running in�.
Jukkis
If you want to consider synthetics, take a look at www.mobil.com
For the last few years I have been using Mobil V-Twin in our 1974 4.2 and
our 1972 V12, as and even our 1985 E30 BMW. No affiliation etc.
Putting aside the usual marketing puffery in the website message, I
eventually came to the view that the requirements of our old XK engines,
used as you describe, are a lot closer to those of air cooled motorcycles
than modern cars with the tight clearances and catalytic converters. When I
first used it, V-Twin was claimed to achieve a 20W-50 rating without the use
of VI improvers, although that may have changed in recent years. It also
claims to have more of the additives (eg ZDP) which have had to be reduced
because of their effect on catalytic converters. I’m going on memory here,
so it would be best to do some reading for yourself. I believe it has been
reformulated at least once.
A bonus for enthusiasts in NZ is that compared with other synthetics, even
in the Mobil range, V-Twin is very favourably priced. It may be more
expensive elsewhere.
A word of warning: I decided to go with my own judgement on this one. Even
my local Mobil distributor was surprised to hear that I wanted it for our
cars. I did however take comfort a month or two later when he reported
seeing it used by competitors in a local round of the Australasian V8
series. Even now I have yet to meet another Jag owner using the same oil.
Good luck!
George
Jukkis wrote "…I’m wondering which type and brand(s)
of engine oil is recommended to use with my ''59 XK150 3.8 liters
which just had an engine rebuild? I have identified several
potential type/brands but not sure which would be the best in a
long run e.g. Castrol Classic XL 20w-50, Shell X-100 20w-50,
Valvoline 20w-50, Gulf 20w-50. I have told that a good multigrade
mineral oil is fine but want to be sure after expensive engine
rebuild!!! Are modern additives needed? Castrol Classic XL has some
additives but Shell X-100 (much cheaper) doesn’t define any but is
one of the original types/brands recommended…Has anyone a good
opinion/experience? I wouldn’t like to get into a new rebuild due
wrong oil… I’m planning to change oil regularly …and not using the car in
the winter.
In reply to a message from George Morrell sent Fri 15 Sep 2006:
Opinion based on years not science follows:
Use ANY good leafrot oil…that is normal oil, not synthetic…for
break in…some discussion that single grade uses less Viscosity
improvers within the oil…so more pure oil…and the weight of a
single grade depends on average daily temps whre u r…thus the
lube data plate on XKs shows various weight grades for climate.
The low 10 or 15 or 20 is for cold…so if not cold…then no need
for that. After break in use Mobil 1 synthetic…if seldom
driven…and oil can slowly drain off cylinder walls and bearing
surfaces…an additive such as Mr. Moly or Lucas Oil Stabilizer
Synthetic can leave a bit of a film for cold start lubrication.
The main thing is good quality oil of any brand, very frequent oil
changes with the filter change every time. dirt and oil
contamination and break down is the enemy…the longer interval oils
now sold just take longer to break down to sludge…forget about
it…change at very regular short intervals…cheap in the long run
even with 16 quarts. The one advantage of the long interval oil is
that it does not sludge over the course of vehicle sitting all
winter. Good oil, clean oil, clean filters. You will find
testimonials for all brands. I would add…good air filtering…gas
filtering…and good gas= cleaner oil.–
Nicks 53 XK120 OTS
Park City Utah/SpokaneWA, United States
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In reply to a message from Jukkis sent Fri 15 Sep 2006:
You might want to read the ‘‘Oil (again)’’ topic over on the E-Type
Forum.–
The original message included these comments:
Could anyone help me please. I’m wondering which type and brand(s)
of engine oil is recommended to use with my ''59 XK150 3.8 liters
which just had an engine rebuild? I have identified several
potential type/brands but not sure which would be the best in a
long run e.g. Castrol Classic XL 20w-50, Shell X-100 20w-50,
Valvoline 20w-50, Gulf 20w-50. I have told that a good multigrade
mineral oil is fine but want to be sure after expensive engine
rebuild!!! Are modern additives needed? Castrol Classic XL has some
additives but Shell X-100 (much cheaper) doesn’t define any but is
one of the original types/brands recommended…Has anyone a good
opinion/experience? I wouldn’t like to get into a new rebuild due