I changed my oil the other day after 20 yrs of storage :O -Yea, Right!!! I remember that years ago if I didnt use Castrol oil the oil pressure would drop a bit more when the engine warmed up. So I kept using Castrol.

I once read somewhere that today's motor oils have changed due to the modern engines having Solid Lifters. So if your older car has Hydraulic you need to use oil that is high in something (maybe phosphorus). So does the 2.8 have solid lifters? - and whats your favorite brand of oil?
also is the 2.8 v6 a pontiac design or a chevy??

Thanks!!!

Modern engine still use hydraulic lifters but they are not flat tappet lifters anymore, they use roller lifters. There is less friction with roller lifters and the materials for roller cams are different than flat tappet cams. Modern oils do not have zinc additives anymore, zinc acts as a "cushion" to help reduce friction that is associated with flat tappet lifters. Roller lifters have much less friction due to the fact that they roll on the cam lobes. It is recommended to use a zinc additive on older cars with flat tappet cams, solid or hydraulic.

The 2.8 v6 in Fieros have hydraulic flat tappet lifters.

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ARCHIES JUNK IS FASTER THAN SHAUNNA'S JUNK
12.3 is faster than a 13.2

For clarity, *many* modern oils do not have the same zinc levels as old oils, but plenty of them still do. A reasonably high quality oil that has a good supply of zinc is Mobil 1 High Mileage in 10w-40, which is a good match for the 2.8. I personally use Motul 8100 5w-40 (full syn) or 6100 10w-40 (semi-sym) or Lubromoly 10w-40, as these are all approved by Ze Germans for long interval changes and work great in my other cars, which are largely turbocharged. These oils are all $35-$45 for a 5l jug on Amazon or AutohausAZ - not free, but affordable especially when you do 5k or 6k change intervals. If you go down this route, just be sure to use a high-quality filter that can put up with long changes - I use the oversize Wix 51036XP (ACDelco PF52) for a little extra filtering, and a little extra capacity (plus it's the same filter on my Suburban and Fleetwoods ). Don't use cheap store brand or orange filters for extended changes.

[This message has been edited by thesameguy (edited 09-12-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Alex.07.86GT: I once read somewhere that today's motor oils have changed due to the modern engines having Solid Lifters.

That seems unlikely because most modern engines don't have solid lifters.

quote Originally posted by Alex.07.86GT: So if your older car has Hydraulic you need to use oil that is high in something (maybe phosphorus).

If your older car has hydraulic flat-tappet lifters --- as opposed to hydraulic roller lifters --- oil with a reasonable level of ZDDP (zinc dialkyldithiophosphates) in it often is recommended.

quote Originally posted by Alex.07.86GT: So does the 2.8 have solid lifters?

No.

The 2.8L Fiero engine has hydraulic flat-tappet lifters --- as opposed to hydraulic roller lifters --- or any type of solid lifter.

So what brand of Oil are you guys using on your Fieros??

I use Mobile One in my 86 SE that I bought with 30,000 miles (now 150K) and in the Formula with the low mile transplant.
I use Valvoline High Mileage in my 4.9 Formula (170K) and my 95 Seville STS (250K).
Typical oil change intervals are 10k for the Mobile One and 6K for the High Mileage.
I use WIX or Mobile One filters.

Modern SM grade oil (the newest standard) has about half the recommended ZDDP level for older flat tappet engines like the 2.8L V6. The fix is to add a ZDDP supplement. There are several for sale at the auto parts store. ZDDPlus or Lucas Break-In Additive, all work. You are looking to raise ZDDP levels above 1200ppm. Higher will not hurt. The ZDDP is used up during the life of the oil.

My favorite brand of oil is whichever one has the lowest cost and is full synthetic. Add ZDDP and go.

[This message has been edited by Hudini (edited 09-14-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Hudini: Modern SM grade oil (the newest standard) has about half the recommended ZDDP level for older flat tappet engines like the 2.8L V6. The fix is to add a ZDDP supplement. There are several for sale at the auto parts store. ZDDPlus or Lucas Break-In Additive, all work. You are looking to raise ZDDP levels above 1200ppm. Higher will not hurt. The ZDDP is used up during the life of the oil. My favorite brand of oil is whichever one has the lowest cost and is full synthetic. Add ZDDP and go.

Any problems with Zinc or extra phosphates causing problems with emissions or clogging cats?