Oil Wars, Part CCCVXXII

[JasonP]

My sister has 1977 280E, which has an M110.984 engine.

(drumroll) ..... What oil should she use?

[ADV_rider]

Coppertone.... today summer started in this side of the world.

[JasonP]

She's actually partial to Bain de Soleil. A child of the 70's.

[Squiggle Dog]

Make sure the oil has high levels of phosphorus and zinc. If not, you can use a zinc additive. It helps keep the parts in your engine from grinding away at each other, but they took it out of most modern oils.

[JasonP]

Make sure the oil has high levels of phosphorus and zinc. If not, you can use a zinc additive. It helps keep the parts in your engine from grinding away at each other, but they took it out of most modern oils.

Good info, and thanks! But we're kind of at the more stupid level, as in - 10W40? Dino or synth?

[Beastie]

That engine is not dissimilar to mine and 10W40 should be fine, especially in summer. Synthetic or dino is up to you, personally I think either are fine. I use synthetic.

As Squiggle Dog mentioned, go for one that specifies high zinc. These engines love that smooth, tasty zinc.

[JasonP]

Thanks all! 10w40 w/zinc it is!

I'll let you know what we end up with ....

[ptashek]

"Mobil 1" 15W-50 has 1200ppm of Phosphorus and 1300ppm of Zinc, which is apparently close to levels oils "back in the day" had.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf

I'm trying to find similar data for other manufacturers.