Hi Guys
I have a Pinto in my Capri,I was wondering what would be a good oil to use, the engine has just been run in it is only used on weekends.
It has stock internals, double valve springs with a 26874 crow cam, with a 5 speed behind it.
 
John

I heard somewhere that Penrite 30 was good for the older Ford engines.

I've been pondering this myself recently.  20W-50 was original specification, but getting a good one in that exact viscosity might be tough, although I see Valvoline make several.  There's Mobil 1 in 15W-50, although not readily available here apart from grey market importers from the USA like GL Lubricants (see eBay or their website).  Shell make a semi-synthetic in 15W-50 that's about half the price called Helix HX7K that any Supercheap Auto would have, and it's probably better than the old standby Castrol GTX 20W-50.  Really, I think just about any modern oil is superior to the stuff they were using 30 to 40 years ago, so if the viscosity range is right, I would expect it to be just fine.
 
 

Whatever you use make sure it has full zinc content(good for all engines but a must with anything that has flat tappets etc). I use penrite in all my engines for that main reason. Others also have it but some oil companies have reduced zinc content to a minimal and non benifitial level. I use hpr10 10w50 and hpr15 15w60 for all my engines.
 
Cheers 

RS 2000

Whatever you use make sure it has full zinc content(good for all engines but a must with anything that has flat tappets etc).

Cheers 

Agreed.  Zinc was removed from oils to ensure they didn't ruin catalytic converters, but that doesn't apply to Pintos, whose camshaft followers really need it.  
 
Interestingly, this report suggests that 2 valve per cylinder engines are better off using a *lower* API spec oil, i.e. SL or lower (SN is the current highest standard).  See " API Rating Backwards Compatibility and 2V engines" here: http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html
 
 

Flighter

RS 2000

Whatever you use make sure it has full zinc content(good for all engines but a must with anything that has flat tappets etc).

Cheers 

Agreed.  Zinc was removed from oils to ensure they didn't ruin catalytic converters, but that doesn't apply to Pintos, whose camshaft followers really need it.  

Interestingly, this report suggests that 2 valve per cylinder engines are better off using a *lower* API spec oil, i.e. SL or lower (SN is the current highest standard).  See " API Rating Backwards Compatibility and 2V engines" here: http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Thats because lower the api spec more chance you have to find some zinc in the oil. Its all about emissions.........

Was reading this article the other day about the reduction of ZDDP (Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate)in current oils due to emmision laws and their effects on cam and follwer failure on flat tappet cams.
 
 http://www.racingheadservice.com/Information/ArticleDetails.asp?ID=-1228096506
 
The article is a little old but the points are still valid.
 
+1 for Penrite though they still have a lot less Zinc then they used to.
 
Cheers,
 
Matt

Thanks for the replys
I will proberbly go Penrite. I have used Penrite for 12 years in my old Jackaroo with no problems the penrite site recomends the HPR 15 Full Synthethic SAE 15W-60 so I will go with that.
thanks
John



 

Here's the advice from my engine builder who put my pinto bottom end together which i'll be taking over pretty much anyone else out there.
 
"oil needs to be a mineral based 20W/50, 25W/50 or 25W/60 NO synthetic can be used."
 

fordsy

Here's the advice from my engine builder who put my pinto bottom end together which i'll be taking over pretty much anyone else out there.

"oil needs to be a mineral based 20W/50, 25W/50 or 25W/60 NO synthetic can be used."

Did he explain why?