Correct Engine Oil for VW

[surfly]

I am entering this post for Walter Eisenmann who has been using Castrol 20W50 for 600 hours without any oil related maintenance difficulties.
Sherm
ONEX 0176

[Bryan Cotton]

I am entering this post for Walter Eisenmann who has been using Castrol 20W50 for 600 hours without any oil related maintenance difficulties.
Sherm
ONEX 0176

Does Walter burn 100LL or autogas?

[Scott Todd]

Castrol makes a 20W50 in Regular, Synthetic Blend, and full Synthetic. I think it matters which one.

https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-st ... -oils.html

[surfly]

Walter uses Castrol 20W50 GTX oil and burns 90 octane auto gas.

[Sonerai13]

You can get by with the "synthetic blend" oils (sometimes called "para-synthetic" or "semi-synthetic") if you're using 100LL. Just don't run any fully synthetic oils. The synthetic oils will not play well with the lead in the fuel.

[Area 51%]

Joe, can you shed any light as to why Aeroshell and/or Phillips oils are not a good mix for the Aerovee?

[Scott Todd]

(S) surfly asnwered the question but he didn't. Castrol makes a 20W50 GTX Synthetic Blend version they call High Mileage. They also make a 20W50 GTX they call premium conventional.

[Sonerai13]

Joe, can you shed any light as to why Aeroshell and/or Phillips oils are not a good mix for the Aerovee?

I wouldn't necessarily say that these oils "aren't a good mix". I'd rather say that there are better oils for the application. In our AeroVee, we run the Valvoline VR-1 20w-50 and it works great. We can buy it at the local auto parts store. What's not to like?

[Area 51%]

I guess I'll resign myself to losing a couple of pounds to offset the weight of the quart of oil I'll have to carry around, and find another place for the toothbrush. Maybe a "Caravan" style belly pod.

[WesRagle]

Hi Guys,

Quotes from the AeroVee 2.1 assembly manual:

"The flat-tappet (non-roller rocker) design of the AeroVee requires an oil with zinc and phosphate levels of approximately
.12% to .14% (1200 - 1400 ppm). Do not use diesel engine oils (Rotella) and do not use oil additives."

"Synthetic oils are incompatible with 100LL fuel and must not be used."

"Approved break-in oils are:
Valvoline VR-1, 20w50, non-synthetic
Brad Penn Penn-Grade 1 Racing 20w50

"Approved post break-in oils are:
Brad Penn Penn-Grade 1 Racing 20w50
Valvoline VR-1, 20w50, non-synthetic

Quote from Penn Grade 1 info:

"It's 1,500 ppm Zinc and 1,340-1,400 ppm Phosphorus contents provide the needed anti-wear protection to critical engine parts, such as piston/cylinder walls, roller cams under heavy valve spring pressure and especially those that employ a solid “flat tappet” type system."

Quote from Valvoline VR-1, 20w50, non-synthetic info:

"High zinc/phosphorus for anti-wear protection, including push-rod & flat tappet applications"

Here are the only confusion factors for me:

1) The statement "Synthetic oils are incompatible with 100LL fuel and must not be used." and the fact that Penn-Grade 1 is a "Synthetic Blend".

2) The statement "Do not use diesel engine oils (Rotella) and do not use oil additives." seems to be in direct conflict with what others have had success with. Ref https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvN83Xb2xy8&t=231s. Go to about the 1 min. point of the video to get the relevant point. However, I'm running a VW, not a Corvair, so I'll go with what the VW experts say.

The common thread is the Zinc and Phosphorus content of all the recommended oils *and* all recommended oils are not fully synthetic.

What am I missing?

Thanks,

Wes