LubeDude, an interesting statement from Crane

[Boomyal]

In trying to determine what oil to run in my new/used 5.0 litre roller cam boat motor, I came across this. Initially I want to run dino oil even tho I hope to switch to synts later. I had purchaced a case of Delo 15-40 at Costco but took it back and exchanged it for 5-20w after reading this statement.<br /><br />

Wrong weight of oil - Hydraulic lifters have an internal operating clearance of approximately .00015” - .00035”. This is in the range of 1/10th to 1/20th of the thickness of a human hair. Thick oils (SAE 30 and higher) can cause many problems in hydraulic lifters. Thicker oil slows the “bleed-down” rate and contributes to lifter “pump-up.” Old thick oil can cause the plungers to stick and act as if the lifter has “collapsed.” Thicker oils flow much more slowly through a cold engine, so frequent cold starts result in vastly increased engine component wear. Straight weight oils (even as thick as SAE 50) do not have the ‘film strength” of multi-viscosity oils such as 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30, so with the extreme opening rates available to roller cams, straight weight oil films can start to break down. It is this last point (the tremendous film strength of multi viscosity oils as compared to “racing” oils) that fools many “old timers” who think that traditional thick, straight weight oils are best for performance applications.<br /><br />Crane R&D strongly recommends the use of multi-viscosity oils in all hydraulic roller lifters. Our tests have consistently shown a 3-5 HP increase throughout the RPM range when compared to straight weight oils. In addition, we have never experienced a component failure due to “thin,” multi-viscosity. NOTE: exotic fuels (alcohol, nitromethane, etc.) require special lubricants for which most multi-viscosity oils are not qualified.

I think that I am going to finally change the oil in my 195K mile E150 4.6 liter mod motor. They describe exactly what seems to be happening lately. When I start up, I get a lifter clatter. It has happened for a while but seems to be getting more persistant. I'll drive a couple of blocks and actually shut off the motor and restart it to get the clatter to quit. I thought the lifter was bleeding down at nite but it sounds like that is not the case.<br /><br />I'd say I've had a pretty good run on that oil. About 189K miles since I put it in. Of course I've added to it as it used a quart in 4500 miles and when I change the two filters, but that is one whole lot of time I have not spent sitting at Oil Can Henrys wait to have the oil changed. November 1996 to August 2005.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: LubeDude, an interesting statement from Crane

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> exchanged it for 5-20w after reading this statement.<br /><br />

Why 5W-20, that engine wasnt designed to run with 5W-20 and espesialy in a boat engine. I wouldnt run it if I were you. Id run a 0W-40, 5W-40. I run a 15W-40 synthetic in my 4 liter roller engine Ranger with no problems, it has 170,000 Miles now.

 

[JRJ]

Re: LubeDude, an interesting statement from Crane

Delo 15-40 is all I put in my diesel. It won't hurt your 5.0. Some fleets run 15-40 in everything except the newest small gas engines. But whatever works for you is what you should run.

 

[TheOilDoc]

Re: LubeDude, an interesting statement from Crane

In that article Crane Cams is addressing a potential problem area with their high-performance billet lifters due to the faster opening rates, higher lifts, and greater spring force allowance....<br /><br />"Warranty issues have been extremely rare, but two problems areas have been the cause of most problems....Wrong weight of oil-"<br /><br />Unless you use your boat in cold climates, their's really no advantage to using oils with viscosity improvers (multi-viscosity oils). Your marine engine needs the properties of a straight-weight oil under high load and high temperature. This is why the marine engine manufacturers usually recommend them. I suggest you follow their recommendations. <br /><br /><br />

I get a lifter clatter...I'd say I've had a pretty good run on that oil. About 189K miles since I put it in. Of course I've added to it as it used a quart in 4500 miles and when I change the two filters

Lifter noise is generally a sign of lifter wear caused by oil breakdown or contaminates in the oil. Extended drain intervals are very prone to oil breakdown and contamination, since the oil never gets to be completely replentished or completely drained.