Fluids

[gjslutz]

What fluids have folks been using, oil, antifreeze, gears, brake? I have done a search on the site and didn't find anything at all. I had to do something wrong with the ssearch.

:willy:

[slngsht]

I'll be the first to admit the search functionality sucks here. Boxologist will be 2nd to admit :rofl:

 

On the search page, make sure you hit the search button with the mouse, rather than hitting the enter key.

 

I don't recall any real discussions on this topic.

 

I don't have a standard se7en engine. In my case, I use Mobile 1 5W-30 for oil, and plain water with water wetter for coolant. Keeps my V8 nice and cool with the little radiator, even after extended rush hours in hot weather.

[yellowss7]

I guess it all depends. Is it a new engine? Has it been "broken in?" If new common wisdom is Mineral based oil, for at least 500 miles then synthetic. I use AmSoil 10-40 in mine. Don't think there is any real advantage in brands. I'm sure others will weigh in on their preferences.

 

What gearbox? The Caterham 6 speed really likes RedLine MTL.

 

As for brake fluid, Castrol GT LMA works for me.

 

Radiator type? Aluminum, steel?? I have an aluminum one, and use Zerex.

 

As for the rear. I used Castrol but can't recall the weight. I have an LSD so I guess it depends on the type of rear you have too.

 

Tom

[gjslutz]

Thanks for the info.

 

I have a Quaife limited slip, T9 Tran, and Aluminum Radiator, 2.0 Zetec.

 

Gary

 

[southwind25]

Gary:

We have used the follwing for many years with resonable success in our vintage race cars:

 

OIL: we have use castrol 30 in our race engines for quiet some time with reasonable success.

This is changed out quiet a bit though. We do use a castrol synthetic in our other street cars that have been broken in. never use less than a fram filter. and the new lotus will get an accusump-pre oiler first thing!

 

hydraulics: we as well have always used the Castrol GT lma fluids. they have a good boiling point and always freindly with the british rubber. Again we changed this out frequently so we dont worry so much about the hydroscopic nature. We use the same in our street cars.

 

We use the redline mtl in our gearboxes. This will help the old british metalurgy hold up.

 

We use a redline rear end oil as well, with a anti slip additive. We have used this for our limited slip clutch type diff. works great and you can regulate the slippage by the additive. However..i would go with what Quaife reccommends on there website.

 

for the cooling we never used any antifreeze. basically it is illegal to use any type of antifreeze when (vintage) racing because any resulting spill is very difficult to clean up and very slippery on the track . (synthetic oils have been under protest for the same reasons for some time now)

We use distilled water and the "pink"-redline waterwetter. this acts as a slight lubricant as well and works great. We have heard the urban legend that this combination will raise the freezing point but have never had that problem. but that hanger gets cold...brrr.

We simply use prestone in our street cars.

[Donnie]

For what it's worth, I found this on a local British car club site http://www.englishautosociety.com/articles.html

The creator of my engine (1700 x-flow, blueprinted, balanced, roller rockers) said to use standard oil for break-in and then NOTHING BUT Mobil One 20w50.

[gjslutz]

The mineral oil has been Std. with breaking in an aircraft engine. I had done that for years. I ran mineral for 75 to 100 hours. The thinking now is to go to the oil you will use from the start. I'm still unsure of that yet.

 

There is 4,000 miles on the Zetec so ring / cylinder break-in is not a issue. All of my work will be in the head as well as an up grade to the oil pump. I like Mobil One but was unsure of the results in the Zetec. There had been some bearing failures blamed on it in aircraft. Mobil had purchased some engines from that several years ago. I will go with Mobil One as that is what most of my cars came with it for several years now.

 

Anyone have a oil filter number handy? I need to get a few.

 

Thanks

Gary

[S1Steve]

I use Royal Purple in my Zetec , it cost more than Mobil 1, but I don't know if it's any better.

In the type 9 I use redline mtl, only because someone gave it to me.

Oil filter, Purolator # l25230, because it's short, and I can't find the short FRAM ?????

Hydrauics, Castrol Gt, and change it every spring, this past time I changed the Wilwood pads to a softer pad, and this advice came from another S1 owner, and made the car stop 75% better, but took some work on the balance bar to get the rears to stop locking up under HEAVY braking, they are great now !

In the rear, I used Castrol, and anti-slip, I would like to do an upgrade to the rear as I think that may be the weak link in the driveline, so far so good.

 

Steve