Royal Purple Oil?

[cultural infidel]

IS anyone running the purple stuff in their Stude? I have heard good things on 4x4 sites. Wondering if anyone in Stude-land has run it and their opinion on it.

[Bud]

I don't think that using a 5W-30 oil in a Studebaker engine is a good idea as the internal clearances on the older engines are larger than the modern engines. I use 5W-30 in my new Chevy engines because that is what is recommended. I use 15W-40 in my Studebaker engines as it holds good oil pressure and I have lower oil consumption. I checked with both the Shell and Chevron tech guys recently about using the lighter synthetic oils in the older engines and they both recommended not doing it for the reasons stated earlier. Take a look at bobistheoilguy.com for great information regarding lubricants. That being said, if you decide to go with the RP 5W-30, let us know how it works out. Bud

[BobPalma]

'Just getting ready to post what Bud said, so ditto his remarks. BP

[Dan White]

I agree with Bub, 5W-30 oils are designed for modern engines and a synthetic 5W is way too light to use older engines that were designed for 10W min. Not only that, most Studes either leak or use a bit of oil. Royal Purple is pretty darn expensive to be leaving on the ground or blowing out the tail pipe. I use one of the 15W-40 Diesel Oils (Chevron Delo, or Shell Rotella T) in my Studes and also my Hudson and they work really well. Not worth the expense and possible increased engine wear.

[cultural infidel]

Thank you for the info fellas. I guess that I should have left it at just Royal Purple in general. not specifically the 5w-30. I know that they offer 10w and 15w as well. I had found RP online for $5-6qt which isnt horrible.

That being said, there are a lot of higher mileage oils out there, any worth a damn?

Never heard of Rotella T. One of my buddies has used Amsoil religiously over the years. So he is pushing that.

The engine in the 65 is supposedly the original and has quite a few miles on it. Trying to make it last as long as possible.

[63larkr1]

[PackardV8]

Yes, Royal Purple is a good oil.

No, I've never found any brand name oil which which in the correct weight wouldn't safely and satisfactorily lubricate and protect a stock Studebaker engine. By any standards our engines are pretty agricultural. In normal driving, they don't put heavy loads on bearings or lifters.

Maybe, since all major brand oils pass the same certification standards, just buy whatever is on sale at the local FLAPS.

jack vines

[stevo5671]

I use regular 10W 40 in the power hawk, synthetic blend 5w 40 in my 04 Pacifica, and full synthetic 5w 30 in my 07 Audi. I have heard that running synthetic in cars that have not previously used synthetic can cause/worsen oil leaks. The oil doesn't actually cause leaks, but the extra detergents can free up "crud" that might be slowing down previous leaks making them seem worse. However, we all know that Studebakers hardly ever leak oil

[cultural infidel]

so the safest bet in the 65 would probably be a 10w30 or 15w40?

[Warren Webb]

I've been running Royal Purple in my R-2 Hawk now for about 8 years. Seems to be fine for me-no oil consumption & performance has stayed steady. When I had to replace the axle in my 93 Ranger I used their gear oil then too. I prefer to buy mine at the local speed shop over Autozone due to wanting them to stay around for the times I need those "special" things.

[62champ]

Since switching to Royal Purple in my brand Xs three years ago - I am a believer. Had lifter clatter on start up when temps got below 20. At the time I was running Mobil 1. One morning when it was about 5 it sounded like there was tin can band under the hood. Next oil change was a week away and decided to bite the bullet and spend the $5 per quart (in 2009) and get the RP. Even when it was -3 last winter I did not hear a peep out of the valve train.

They offer everything from 0W20 to 20W50. They even have straight weights in 30, 40, and 50. Shop around - even with shipping it is cheaper on-line sometimes. My local FLAPS/speed shop that has been around forever always has it in stock and it goes for less than $6.50 a quart.

Good luck.

[kamzack]

Check Lubrication Engineers Web site. They make a 15W40 with a high zinc content, very compatible with flat tappet engines. Also petroleum base, non syn/oil good for high mileage or new and a long drain oil. Phone # 800-537-7683
Kim

[cultural infidel]

The RP in store was $15qrt... I had found it online for $6qrt. I should have ordered it online. Will be doing so for next time though. I ended up getting Pennzoil High Mileage and a Wix filter. Slowing making some progress. The oil was definitely due for a change. Have no clue when the last one was done... I have a feeling that it was quite some time ago. The PO showed me the dipstick and it was black and said, "not too bad for an old car." errrr what?! lol i did use a zinc additive when I changed the oil.

[Dan White]

[SilverHawkDan]

I used the gear oil

We used the RP gear oil in the trans and differential in the Avanti for the last two years. It made shifting easier and the trans and diff turned over easier after the change to RP. I know that Dave Bloomberg used Amsoil at Bonneville as I got him the deal on it from a fellow hot rodder. In the engine we used Delo 400 diesel grade 15w40 oil. I also use it in the camper 289 that I tow the Avanti with. I noticed that I didn't have any oil wear issues in the Bonneville engines. I have friends who use RP in their race engines and street cars and swear by it. Same with Amsoil. SO there you have my 2 cents.
Dan