Ferrari Mailing List: Re: All about oil????

[Peter Pless (ferrarilist]

Ok...well that just scared the crap out of me!

I'd still like to know what they'd specify for a 308 if it were made TODAY
considering the advances in oil technology.

I have modern type rings and pistons. I don't really see any significant
clearance differences btwn my 355 and 308 engine...HOWEVER...i don't want to
"probably be ok" with 5W40, I'd rather know I'm absolutely ok with 10W50!

So that's what I'll do....but I'll change to full synthetic. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Hans E. Hansen [mailto:FList [at] hanshansen.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, 26 March 2008 10:33 AM
To: Peter Pless
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] All about oil????

I argued a bit with Haas when he originally started posting those "articles"
on FChat.  I guess inventing the avacado makes him an expert.

He seems to know oil quite well, but his knowledge of auto mechanics is
seriously lacking.  For example, different engines have their oil pressure
sensors in different places.  Also, the oiling systems vary quite a bit -
some are "parallel", in that the oil is dispersed to all the various places
at once (like branches on a tree), and some are "serial" in that the oil
must flow thru various parts to reach other parts.

The 'old' Ferrari V8 has it's oil pressure sensor located in the oil filter
base.  The oil arrives via some big dia hoses from the oil cooler, and then
it's directed down a hole roughly 5/8" dia to feed the entire engine.  This
entry point is a bit of a bottle neck, and therefore sees what is
undoubtedly the highest pressure.  What the good doctor doesn't seem to
realize is what happens deep in the bowels of the motor.  Just because you
have 10psi/1000 rpm at the sensor doesn't mean that you have either
sufficient pressure or volume at some critical part.  Suppose you have oil
that is way too thin in relation to your main/rod bearing clearances.  That
oil could very well be gushing out of the bearings and not providing
sufficient protection.  This, depending upon oiling system design and sensor
location, may not be reflected on your oil pressure gauge.

Lots of older engines were built with comparatively (to today's
designs) big bearing clearances.  Add to this normal wear, and you have a
recipe for disaster if the oil is too thin.

I had a car recently that had the opposite problem.  It was an DOHC GM V6,
and they specified 5W20.  Someone put 10W40 in it and the cam followers
would stick in their bores producing a loud tappet noise.  As a strictly
temporary measure, a mechanic poured in a quart of ATF to thin the oil down.
Noise stopped.
And no noise at all when the correct oil was used.

The owner's manual for the old Ferrari V8s specified some fairly thick oil -
something like 10W50, I think.  I'm sticking with what it was designed
for.......

Hans.

On 3/21/08, LarryT <l02turner [at] comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi Peter,
> ya know, it's hard to tell when yo;re being sarcastic sometimes. l;-)
>
> If you are not, let me share  my thoughts about the use of very low 
> weight oils in older vehicles:
>
> I know Dr Haas is probably a great plastic surgeon, but I would not 
> run 0W20 or 0W30 oil in a car more than 5 years old with more than 50k 
> on it.  Older and vehicles with more than a few miles just will not be
fully protected
> with such low viscosity oil, IMO.   The ability of the low viscosity oil
to
> carry the weight of the crank and rods is just not as good as a 
> heavier weight oil.
>
> Larry T (66 MGB, 74 911, 91 300D)
> www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results 
> http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
> 800-583-8601
> Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Peter Pless" <ferrarilist [at] pless.com.au>
> To: "Larry Turner" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
> Cc: "'The FerrariList'" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
> Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 9:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] All about oil????
>
>
> >I think that's an awesome article! It's exactly what I've suspected 
> >all this  time, and considering the source as well, I'm going to be 
> >changing the oil  in my GT4 immediately.
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pvb308 [at] comcast.net [mailto:pvb308 [at] comcast.net]
> > Sent: Friday, 21 March 2008 3:09 AM
> > To: Peter Pless
> > Cc: The FerrariList
> > Subject: [Ferrari] All about oil????
> >
> > I came across an interesting article on engine oil, from the Florida 
> > Region of the Ferrari Owners Club. Since I'm not an expert on engine 
> > oils---does anyone have any opinions on this article???? The article 
> > can be found at:
> > www.focfloridaregion.com/
> > To open the article -on the left side of the page- click on 
> > "Educational Articles" --then click on "Introduction to Motor Oil".
> >
> >  Thanks,
> >    Jerry in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
> >
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