What grade oil are you using ?
Discussion
If you ask 10 Chimaera owners what oil they use, you'll get at least 11 different answers. 
You'll get answers ranging from 5W-40 to 20W-60, and plenty arguing one way or the other for semi versus full synthetic. To be honest, any decent semi or full synthetic of at least 5W-40 or greater weight should be fine. It's generally accepted that the oil should be high in zinc (ZDDP) to protect the cam shaft, but it can be difficult to find out what the zinc content of most oils is.
Me, I top up using Fuchs Titan "Race Pro S" 10W-50, which is a full ester-synthetic oil and I'm led to believe it's high in zinc. But when it was serviced by a highly respected TVR specialist in south Oxfordshire they used a semi-synthetic 5W-40, so that must be fine as well. I don't lose too much sleep over the weight or the type of oil, so long as it's good quality.
You'll get answers ranging from 5W-40 to 20W-60, and plenty arguing one way or the other for semi versus full synthetic. To be honest, any decent semi or full synthetic of at least 5W-40 or greater weight should be fine. It's generally accepted that the oil should be high in zinc (ZDDP) to protect the cam shaft, but it can be difficult to find out what the zinc content of most oils is.
Me, I top up using Fuchs Titan "Race Pro S" 10W-50, which is a full ester-synthetic oil and I'm led to believe it's high in zinc. But when it was serviced by a highly respected TVR specialist in south Oxfordshire they used a semi-synthetic 5W-40, so that must be fine as well. I don't lose too much sleep over the weight or the type of oil, so long as it's good quality.
Don't be fooled into believing that Mobil 1 is the preferred brand. The reason that there are stickers under your bonnet suggesting Mobil 1 is because TVR had a lucrative relationship with Mobil Oils. It has nothing to do with engine lubricant preference; just good marketing that is still misleading owners into brand loyalty
bobfather said:
Don't be fooled into believing that Mobil 1 is the preferred brand. The reason that there are stickers under your bonnet suggesting Mobil 1 is because TVR had a lucrative relationship with Mobil Oils. It has nothing to do with engine lubricant preference; just good marketing that is still misleading owners into brand loyalty
I do tend to agree here ... my preference would be a simple decent 20w50 or something like that.It's a bloody 50 year old Rover V8 lump for Gods sake!
Phil
yes it is a 50 year old RV8, but...
It has massive valves with bronze guides
Very high lift cam
Double valve springs
Bearings with bronze casings.
Oh and just to round it off...its generally only started every 2-3 weeks at best!
Use a good 20/50 with a high ZDDP content as has been said earlier generally something that says Motorsport on it somewhere. Millers Redline, Valvoline etc
NOT a std Castrol, Mobil, Shell etc
It has massive valves with bronze guides
Very high lift cam
Double valve springs
Bearings with bronze casings.
Oh and just to round it off...its generally only started every 2-3 weeks at best!
Use a good 20/50 with a high ZDDP content as has been said earlier generally something that says Motorsport on it somewhere. Millers Redline, Valvoline etc
NOT a std Castrol, Mobil, Shell etc
whipmawhopma said:
I checked the Opie Oils online site before my oil change and it recommends 5w-50 for 97 Chimaera. How come everyone's going for 10w or higher?
Because it`s a 60 year old engine ! I would not go any lower than 15 ..
I used a 10w50 fully synthetic for a while and found the engine to make a different noise,a bit more tapperty,hated it so went back to the good old faithfull Mineral valvoline Vr1 20w50.
Its about half the price !
Read this
V8 Racing said
"Vr1 20-50 is speicifically designed for old type engines with flat tappet cams, it was designed by valvoline for historic v8 racing in the usa, because zinc has almost been banned in modern day oils due to health and safety they have had to list it as a race oil and not for road use, to be honest i think it is the best oil you can put in a rover, yes it may affect your cats but after many thousand miles!!"
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...
Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 16th July 22:14
Andy JB said:
SILICONEKID340HP said:
yes it may affect your cats but after many thousand miles!!"
...and why would a 20/50 mineral oil affect your cats ?Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 16th July 22:14
I don't have cats personally, but the neighbours cat sits on my (car) roof and leaves its bloody moulting white fur stuck to it. I'm not sure how the oil would affect it, but a full 5 litre plassy can of the stuff up its jacksy might keep the damn thing off my Chim
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff