Castrol Classic

Zinc and phosphorus are the main ingredients in ZDDP.  If your engine has a flat tappet cam then you pretty much have to use oil with ZDDP to prevent wear on the tappets and/or cam lobes.  In the 1970's all oil had zinc for this reason.  Then catalytic converters came along and zinc had to go because it fouls the cats.  Detroit switched to roller cams at the same time zinc was left out of most engine oils.  If your Fontana engine is flat tappet then zinc (ZDDP) would need to be added to the Castrol GTX 20/50.  Valvoline VR1 has always retained its zinc content and that is what I have been running in my flat tappet engines.  It is good to know that Valvoline VR1 has some competition now.

I have a Fontana block with a hydraulic roller camshaft. The engine builder told me to use high Zinc oil because of the load that is put on the distributor gear. I am also using a high pressure oil pump, which can increase the load on that gear. There are several different brands of oil that offer high Zinc content for older engines and they are not hard to find. In my opinion, it is better to stay safe and use the high Zinc oil rather than gain an advantage with higher temperature capability of a synthetic oil.

I also have a Fontana block based motor. I use Driven Hot Rod 15-W50 synthetic, which has high levels of ZDDP. I believe Amsoil also has a line of synthetic oils with high levels of ZDDP.

David, what type of cam is in the motor?

I have always used the Valvoline 20W50 race oil.  It has High zinc and phosphorus formula for extreme anti-wear protection.  Stock motor.  No problems.

@stevebuchanan posted:

David, what type of cam is in the motor?

Solid roller.

Interesting replies, thanks. I'm just not sure what is in my engine builds, I bought the cars with a 427 Fontana and the other 417. Always used this Castrol GTX 20w 50 as shown and never noticed this "Classic" version before.

Apparently Classic was released by Castrol in late 2021 to compete in the "hot rod" oil market based on comments on some of the other forums that use Zinc-based oils.  

@does200 posted:

Interesting replies, thanks. I'm just not sure what is in my engine builds, I bought the cars with a 427 Fontana and the other 417.

Jan, you might be able to figure out the type of lifters (solid or hydraulic) and the type of cam without pulling the intake manifold on the engines.  Take a valve cover off and try to wiggle each of the eight rockers up and down.  Four or five will be unloaded (on the cam base, not the lobe).  If the lifters are solid then you will feel the .020" valve lash (gap) on the unloaded valves.  If there is no gap on any of the lifters then it is a hydraulic setup.

Determining if the setup is roller or flat tappet is more involved.  Take off one of the rockers and then take out its pushrod as well.  Use a flashlight to look down the pushrod bore.  Or better yet use a borescope since they are now cheap, as low as $20.  If it is a roller setup you will see the retaining system for lifters (either bars on lifter pairs or a big spider clamp with dog bone retainers on the lifters).  If you don't see a retaining system for the lifters then it is flat tappet.  When you reinstall the pushrod and rocker, that valve will have to be adjusted.

Regardless what type of Cam, the Best oil for a Fontana based engine is PennGrade 1 20w50 Partial Synthetic Motor Oil. Contains High Levels of Zinc and Phosphorus. That’s what I use on my 427 Fontana Engine with hydraulic roller lifters. Best Oil in MHO. Running Eight Stacks EFI. 520 RWHP and 500 Lbs of Torque at the Wheels at 6200 RPM.

Thanks guys. I went with my usual Castrol 20-50 and next time may do the Castrol "Classic" or Pengrade. Consulted my engine guy and he said I had rollers and so I didn't need the extra zinc & phosphorus found in the "Classic" although no harm in using a high zinc & phosperous.

We've used Royal Purple HPS or VP Racing High Performance, along with VP 110 Leaded straight up for power here at Pantera Miami...Dyno proven, that combo works.

Sharkey,

Where did you get that air cleaner assembly?

Forest

Gardina?

perhaps that is a suburb of Gardena??

😁

Larry

Gary Hall used to sell them this is a Super Pantera

Sharkey what are you using on your Fontana for an oil filter. Looks like Ford no longer makes the FL-1HP Racing filter, but I see this now available (FL1A). May be the same HP Racing just different label.

Brad Penn 100%....