Zinc In Oil.... ? Surf city oil Sae 30 EEP zinc 2000?

Been on this oil kick, been reading about using the 15-40 oils in old engines as there is somewhat Zinc built in to help on tappets etc. I have found a oil made by Surf-City co. With 2000 Eep in Zinc supposed be for antique automobiles.Anyone use this oil before? Comes in a Sae 30 weight with 2000 in Zinc additives.

You wouldn't want to live in a world without Zink...
World without zink

There are several oils, usually labeled as racing, or break in, off road oils, that still have the ZDDP zinc designation.

You might find it in some diesel oils, have to check the label for "ZDDP".

And there are additives that can be used, but that will add another $12-15 to an oil change.

The Surf City oil should be a good choice if it is all it says it is. The 30 weight will work for moderate to warm climates. They also offer 10w 40, and 20w 50.

The problem with oils without zinc is the loss of anti wear properties needed for flat tappet cams. This is a real problem with the "muscle car" engines, and the popular small block Chevys that had cam wear problems from the beginning. Add a high lift cam, and high pressure valve springs, there will likely be problems without zinc.

However, stock antique tractor engines are far from "performance" engines. Using non zinc oil will not likely cause the problem encountered with automotive engines. The older engines were designed to run with poorly formulated oils we would never consider using today, and obviously, they survived!

The choice is, will I feel better with the zinc, and willing to pay the price?

Or just use premium grade oil and most likely never have cam wear problem?

Great response Steve.

It doesn't matter if a engine is in a performance vehicle or vintage tractor. If it has flat tappet lifters, it needs additional protection from wear . Years ago, oil company's could use additives that they can't today. Look for a oil made for anything without a catalytic convertor. Even motorcycle oil could be used in that engine. They are high in zinc and phosphorus.

Steve, thanks for that Reply very good info. I see your point. I have heard people running the Diesel grade oils in there old gas tractors instead of the gas 10-30s or 30w etc. It had me thinking as ive heard of Oil companies now cut back on the zddp zinc additives do to new engines etc. And then run into few guys at the Tractor show saying they are using the "Surf City oils Sae 30 Weight brand or the 15-40 delo rated oils for the zinc in it. Theres a car rod shop down road from me that sell the Surf city stuff, well they order it and use in there hot rods and vintage Fords chevy on and on but i had talk to them as well said they like it alot especially rebuild engine or non..My question is in todays oil is it ok to use them say Pennzoil 10-30 or a Sae 30 in a regular brand then the Surf City or others? Would man have better affect overtime with oil that has the old original Zinc rating in it like back in the day ?Or is the store brand oils about the say layout.

I guess really ,all the Zinc additives really havent left oil its just been cut down to like 800 instead of 2000 like original stuff, due to catalytic converter being clogged up. But oils today should still have it to some degree in it right? I guess why most guys have swtiched the gas tractor oils to 15-40 delo or Rotella and more? But really a man dosent need whole lot like your saying Steve cause I really think its just for Engines that have or are rebuilt and used as a (break in oil) but id say after that man use what ever oil on the market thats rated correct?

People worry too much about oil and magic elixers to add to fuel tanks and oil reservoirs.
The bargain oil brands on the shelves today are many times better than any oil on the shelves when those tractors were new.

I seriously doubt that using off-the-shelf motor oils without zinc additive would harm and old tracctor engine spinning at 1000 RPMs but that's just my opinion. Meanwhile, below is a link to a good article which explains the whole thing nicely and gives a person alternatives if he chooses to use oils with the additive .....
Zinc additive information ....

Wes, there are a lot of differing opinions on this. About all you can do is search the net, try to weed out the commercially driven, from the forum hype, and the legitimate research.

On top of that, the products are constantly changing, new developments, government regulations, etc.

From what I am seeing, the mass produced oils are all now very low in zinc. But, they are compensating with other additives, so it's not like they are completely ignoring the requirements of the older engines.To get the zinc, as you found, it comes in specialty oils, which can get expensive. There could also be other side effects, like carbon deposits.

I found this, it's about 12 years old, but still relevant. No connection, just something I found on the net.
Zinc for Older Engines

Wes, if you're that interested in oil, filters, additives, lubes, greases, and any kind of lubricant check out bobistheoilguy.com. You could spent a coupla years researching all that stuff on there!

Hey john Thanks.....ill take a look into it. Im like the Steve said oils today way better than the crap they had then....