Shell Oil Company's reply to using Rotella T in flat tappet gasoline engines

[Paul G]

I went to the Shell Oil website and found a question and answer section. I asked the following question:

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I have a 1973 Dodge with a 440 engine which has a flat tappet cam. It is
a mildly modified performance street driven motor. I have been reading
that automotive oils no longer have zinc in them. Not having zinc can be
detrimental to flat tappet cam lubrication causing premature cam
failure. I have also read that Rotella T is a good oil to use in a flat
tappet cam motor like mine since it still has zinc in it. Is this true?
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The reply from Shell:

Hello Paul,
Yes, diesel engine oils like Rotella T are also rated for gasoline
engines and have additional anti-wear additives at a content level that
is comparable to the level that passenger car motor oils had in 2000
before the current problems with flat tappet engines began.  Gasoline
engine oils are currently at a level of about 800 ppm zinc.

See the link below for more information about Rotella.
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rotella-en&FC2=/rotella-en/ht
ml/iwgen/press_release_2006/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/pres
s_release_2006/cj-4_triple_1006.html

"Rotella w/ Triple Protection" meets API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4,
CG-4, CF-4 for diesel and
API SM, SL, SJ, SH for gasoline engines. A data sheet may be found at
the following link:
http://www.shellusserver.com/products/pdf/RotellaT(CJ-4).pdf

For more information about the API classifications, you may want to take
a look the following link to API:
http://www.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf
If you have any additional questions, please call us at 800-231-6950.
Thank you for your interest in Shell products.

Thanks for your email!

Regards,

Keith Perry
Technical Information Center

Customer Service:  (800) 840-5737
Technical Support:  (800) 231-6950

Website, Shell Lubricants, USA:
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/products_services/solutions_for_bus
inesses/lubricants/msds_search.html

[rt green]

without reading the book, can you run the stuff out of the bottle straight and still be safe?

[BlueSS454]

Check the Rotella T bottles before you pick them up.....Check for the CI-4 rating.  Rotella T USED to have an adequate amount of ZDDP, not so anymore.  The only off the shelf oil that does have adequate ZDDP is Delo 400 or the higher end oils like Brad Penn & Joe Gibbs some of which have 2000+ PPM of ZDDP.
Bottom line, flat tappet engines need to have an additive put in them like the GM EOS just for some added protection.

[Chryco Psycho]

the new Rotella jugs have the SM rating so it has conformed to the lower ZDDP levels
Add EOS or Mopar VU 1157 with Every oil change

[Plumcrazy]

Mopar VU 1157 with Every oil change

Does that have a regular Chrysler part number?

[Paul G]

I went in to our local speed shop after work today. They have little 4 oz bottles of ZDDP Plus. $10.99 a bottle. So I guess I will be adding that at each oil change from now on.

[Chryco Psycho]

Mopar VU 1157 with Every oil change

Does that have a regular Chrysler part number?

That is the Mopar part #

[UFO]

Mopar VU 1157 with Every oil change

Does that have a regular Chrysler part number?

That is the Mopar part #

Chryco Psycho you must be in Canada, The US folks have a different part number system when it comes to some multi fit parts and lubricants.

[Paul G]

My Dodge dealer could not find VU 1157 at all. He did'nt even have any kind of engine oil supplement. ?

[Chryco Psycho]

most of the dealers here give me the same line , they do not even know thay have access to it until I look it up for them , not sure if the part # is different in the US though