Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Sounds like time for STP motor honey.

I am FAR from the oil expert but I work with several outside guys (like Jake Raby/RAT and Charles Nevarro/LN Engineering) who have spent more time and money diagnosing and developing oils than I care to think about.  Keep in mind that I am only repeating this info, but I had a long conversation with Charles last year regarding modern oils and aircooled engines and how the oil formulation for modern DFI engines is pretty much the opposite of what we want and he was talking about modern oils and pre-detonation, resulting in knocking/pinging from the OIL.  Yes, small droplets bypassing the rings and pre-spark detonation from the OIL.  I won't try and repeat anymore, because again I just don't know enough on the subject and we use oil especially formulated for aircooled engines (Driven DT50 is my current choice) without any issue, but just throwing that out there as "food for thought"

Carey, many companies are now producing oil for older engines. Motul has at least 3 formulations with varying degrees of zinc, phosphate, and other detergents. Miller’s has 6. Castrol, AFAIK, just has the Classic, based on the GTX we all grew up with.  

All are, to read the hype, the best of both worlds: old style oils that benefit from modern technology additives.

Porsche even sells their own now, but I can’t help but notice the cans are eerily similar to Motul’s.

Politics, Religion and Oil... 3 things I don't debate about with clients or friends. :-)

I have been out of the oil "loop" for a while, but I am glad to hear there are more choices.  I just stick with what the engine builders tell me, that way there is no "you used the wrong oil" when it comes to oil analysis.  That said, I have clients that use all types of oils and none of them have had any oil related problems... other than weeps and leaks, but thats a different story that we all know too well.

@chines1 posted:

Politics, Religion and Oil... 3 things I don't debate about with clients or friends.

Holy Wars!

@chines1 posted:

that way there is no "you used the wrong oil" when it comes to oil analysis..

As I said in the first oil thread I ever posted in back in 1999: “Clean oil is better than dirty oil, dirty oil is better than no oil.”

In the 22 years hence, I’ve learned I sleep better when my oil meets mfr’s* specs.

* take that abbreviation either way you prefer.

virgin olive oil or "extra virgin"WTF...first press,,some oils are blended with non olive oils..this is as complicated as the coffee post recently.

@dlearl476- what size engine and what's in it? how high does it (or used to) rev with power?

Allegedly a CB Performance (Pat Down's?) 2.0L. I don't know any more than that. As for your second question, I don't really know. It's still pulling strong at 4500rpm. But I generally shift around 4K. I've hit 5K a few times and it still doesn't seem to be running out of breath.

Running out of power isn't the problem. Low oil pressure at idle is. When it's cold, it has almost 70 psi. Warm about 50 @2500 rpm.

@ALB posted:

what size engine and what's in it? how high does it (or used to) rev with power?

To the moon, Alice, TO THE MOON!

@Stan Galat posted:

To the moon, Alice, TO THE MOON!

https://youtu.be/U6hbNCybBwQ

Well, after determining I did, indeed, have steel pushrods,I finally got it back together today and adjusted the valves.
Yeah, it’s a bunch quieter. Seems faster, too. Makes sense.

Well, I think my car guy card needs to be suspended for 30 days.  For the first time since before I had Blackline tune up the Spyder in 2018 my engine sounds like a VW at idle.

Took it for a blast around what I christened Meine Nordschlife today. Honestly had a hard time keeping it under 90 going up the canyon. Pulling strong up the hill at 2,000 rpm, didn’t seem to be running out of air at 5500 when I shifted. (I’ve only revved it that high about 4 times.)

So embarrassing to think I’ve been running with my valves grossly out of adjustment for 3 years.

On my third trip around the cylinders I found a method that works pretty well. (I could never find a decent method to check for spinage on the pushrods.)

I backed the lock nut off and lightly finger tightened the adjuster just finger tight, then put the screwdriver in to note the orientation to keep it there when I tightened the lock nut.

Once I finished I just just barely detect a bit of play. Probably <.001

This is when you know you have a cool car!

When a Vette guy stops and asks to take a picture of YOUR car.  

It's amazing what a proper valve adjustment will do.

Always adjust the carbs after a valve adjustment. It will probably run even better.

Once you get it fully warmed up, check the idle and hi-speed synch. Then adjust the idle mixtures. You should be golden.

Now that you have it adjusted right you can stop short-shifting it at 4000 RPM. My God.

@edsnova posted:

My God.

Ok 60 days.

@DannyP posted:

It's amazing what a proper valve adjustment will do.

Always adjust the carbs after a valve adjustment. It will probably run even better.

Once you get it fully warmed up, check the idle and hi-speed synch. Then adjust the idle mixtures. You should be golden.

Idle remained spot on, but I’ll go through them tomorrow.

But, on the subject of warming up…

It was 50° in town today, I suspect ~40° up in the mountains. I never opened my flappers. Temp gauge needle finally got to 12 o’clock high half way up the first long grade and stayed there. Coming down the other side(s) dropped back down to 10:30-11:00. With the flappers closed.

@edsnova posted:

Now that you have it adjusted right you can stop short-shifting it at 4000 RPM. My God.

I ran it up to redline a couple of times today. As before, it doesn’t seem anywhere near running out of breath.

But I also realized, the thing I almost love most about this car is, when it’s running perfectly, putting around town like it’s a 55 Split window.

Besides having long legs, this motor seems to pull really well from 1500 in third gear.

You know I was just ribbing you. It is absolutely delightful to putt-putt around in these cars, just as it’s thrilling, when the road is there for it, to feel them come on cam and pull to 6000 (or beyond). All extremes in moderation, I say!