"classic" oil - is it?
- steve00136
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:11 am
- Forename: Steve
- Surname: Livesley
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- Location: Nottingham
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"classic" oil - is it?
Well started engine out job today and made good progress. Thinking about all the replacement oil I'm going to need for engine, gearbox and over drive - is it really necessary to buy the expensive so called "classic" 20/50 or will the standard 20/50 mineral oil at half the price say from comma do the same job. Both made to various standards. Tempted to go for the cheaper option as only doing about 500 miles a year and don't race it. Any ideas?
steve livesley
Nottingham UK
1975 MGB Roadster https://mgb.tips
2003 MG ZT 260 V8 SE https://mgzt.info
Nottingham UK
1975 MGB Roadster https://mgb.tips
2003 MG ZT 260 V8 SE https://mgzt.info
- Paul Hollingworth
- Posts: 164
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- Forename: Paul
- Surname: Hollingworth
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- Location: Worcestershire
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
The important thing is does it contain ZDDP, which is a zinc additive which protects against cam and tappet wear in older engines. Some posters on this and other forums have suggested that Comma and Halfords 'classic oil' are the same, but I wouldn't like to say. I've found a cheap source of Morris's classic oil, so am running on that. Its made in Shrewsbury and was mentioned in a recent review in Safety Fast. I contacted their technical department to ask if it contained ZDDP but all they would say is "it contains everything your classic MGB needs". To be sure I add half a bottle of STP when I do an oil change. You can get STP for about £3 for 500 ml so its as cheap as engine oil and it makes my old engine a little less rattily. The hot oil pressure is good at about 65 psi on the Morris's, but I think that's controlled by the relief valve anyway. Its always above 40 psi at idle.
1971 MGB roadster & 2006 MGTF
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
Hi Steve. Not sure about prices but I use Castrol XL 20/50 which I buy from Opie Oils in Cornwall.
I get the 20 litre containers which I decant into Castrol 1 gallon tins (this size is also available from Opie but is more expensive per gallon as you might expect). Delivery is free (I live in Scotland), and I think the price is quite competitive - check their website.
Ian F
I get the 20 litre containers which I decant into Castrol 1 gallon tins (this size is also available from Opie but is more expensive per gallon as you might expect). Delivery is free (I live in Scotland), and I think the price is quite competitive - check their website.
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
- Paul Hollingworth
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:54 pm
- Forename: Paul
- Surname: Hollingworth
- MGCC Member: Yes
- Location: Worcestershire
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
Funnily enough a similar question cropped up on the MG enthusiasts forum. Paul Hunt has written a piece on his brilliant Bee & Vee site all about it.
www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/enginetext.htm#oils
(cant get it to hyperlink so you might have to paste it into your browser)
Basically he says that we should not be using oil with an API rating higher than SJ. (not SL or SM) The Morris Golden film I'm using is SF rated so should contain ZDDP. It was taken out of more modern oils because it damages Catalysts.
www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/enginetext.htm#oils
(cant get it to hyperlink so you might have to paste it into your browser)
Basically he says that we should not be using oil with an API rating higher than SJ. (not SL or SM) The Morris Golden film I'm using is SF rated so should contain ZDDP. It was taken out of more modern oils because it damages Catalysts.
1971 MGB roadster & 2006 MGTF
- Peter Cresswell
- Posts: 759
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:05 am
- Forename: Pete
- Surname: Cresswell
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- Location: Stone, Staffordshire
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
More info here from a past thread:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=460
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=460
Pete
1969 MGB Roadster
2020 MG HS Exclusive
2007 Mercedes SLK
Plus 34 other cars since 1965
1969 MGB Roadster
2020 MG HS Exclusive
2007 Mercedes SLK
Plus 34 other cars since 1965
- Mnripley
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 10:52 pm
- Forename: Michael
- Surname: Nunn
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- Location: Derbyshire/Notts Border
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
I normally buy my oils from OPIE in Cornwall
Just been on the web site and I normally look for 20/50W classic oils to check on prices and offers. Today I put my registration Number in for a search the correct car came up MGB 1978 but all oils listed were semi-synthetic 5/40W
Just been on the web site and I normally look for 20/50W classic oils to check on prices and offers. Today I put my registration Number in for a search the correct car came up MGB 1978 but all oils listed were semi-synthetic 5/40W
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
I would just ignore these "smart" search engines and get your usual 20/50 !!!
Ian F
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
- Mnripley
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 10:52 pm
- Forename: Michael
- Surname: Nunn
- MGCC Member: Yes
- MGOC Member: Yes
- Location: Derbyshire/Notts Border
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
Ian
Normally i do, it was just one of those things you do.
Have emailed OPIE to advise of the error.
Michael
Normally i do, it was just one of those things you do.
Have emailed OPIE to advise of the error.
Michael
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
That's good Michael! I am sure it was worthwhile flagging this up to fellow MGB owners.
I have found similar poor advice on other web based retailers, I guess it is just because our cars are rather old and not well understood.
Ian F
I have found similar poor advice on other web based retailers, I guess it is just because our cars are rather old and not well understood.
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
- steve00136
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:11 am
- Forename: Steve
- Surname: Livesley
- MGOC Member: Yes
- Location: Nottingham
- Contact:
Re: "classic" oil - is it?
Found Duckhams Q20-50 Good stuff but expensive at https://mymgbinfo.wordpress.com/2019/01 ... -its-back/.
Spec sheet doesn't actually say how much zinc other than confirmed that it contains sufficient?
Spec sheet doesn't actually say how much zinc other than confirmed that it contains sufficient?
steve livesley
Nottingham UK
1975 MGB Roadster https://mgb.tips
2003 MG ZT 260 V8 SE https://mgzt.info
Nottingham UK
1975 MGB Roadster https://mgb.tips
2003 MG ZT 260 V8 SE https://mgzt.info