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I am not sure why the economist is producing articles about flat tappet cam engines. It is well known that new engine oils contain lower amounts of ZDDP, it is
by ejs 16y ago
I am not sure why the economist is producing articles about flat tappet cam engines. It is well known that new engine oils contain lower amounts of ZDDP, it is known to harm catalytic converters. It is also not as necessary in roller engines (anything new).
Overall engine oils have gotten much better, but if you run a flat tappet cam most people use a break-in oil, or an additive like GM EOS. Or use a heavy duty engine oil (HDEO) like a diesel oil.
But really anyone who needs these things would not be reading the economist for advice about valve spring pressures wiping cam lobes. As another commenter mentioned, with a good assembly lube (lots of moly) and pre-lube the engine should be fine. Plus if you are running a flat tappet cam the design of the engine will allow you to easily pre-oil it via the distributer shaft.
But zddp additive or a racing/HDEO is a good idea for this type of engine.
- fr0sty 16y agoThe Economist publishes these articles for the same reason it ran an obituary on Martin Tytell[1]. It makes an interesting read, informs people about something they otherwise would never encounter and helps to broaden, however slightly people's mental models of the world. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Tytell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Tytell
- senorprogrammer 16y agoI suspect they publish it because the readership demographic of the Economist likely correlates highly to people in an economic position to buy vintage cars. They're just catering to their readership.