STP ! Any one still using it.

[Domenic T.]

Back in the 60's and 70's it was a big deal. GM also had their version that was in every crate with a block. You would also think that they would also put a can of paint in the crate, but NO.
It was to be added to all the warranty engines. GM called it " GM engine oil supplement ". Other thick products that were most likely out of the same vat were Motor Honey, STP, GM engine oil supplement, and so on, in pint cans.
You could buy it at most oil suppliers by the gallon for $3.50, they called it VI ( viscosity improver ).
Customers requested it to be added to engine oil changes, manual transmissions, and open rear ends.
GM thought enough about it to put it in with crate engines.
There was a screw driver test advertised, a straight slot screw driver tip was dipped in motor oil and you could hold it by the tip, then dipped in STP and it would slide out of your finger tips.
I still use it on bearings during assembly because it's clear and you can see anything that shouldn't be on the bearing. Then I mix the rest with the engine oil. There are some racing oils that pass the screw driver tip test.

Dom

[Gene M.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

Dom,
I always have and always will. A great assembly lube as you stated........

Still available but not as prevalent as it was in the 60's.

[Carl B.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

have unopened can from the 60's

[Walter F.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

I think the STP people made you think it added to your cars engine performance. It was always advertized as the "Racers Edge". I was told all it did was thinken your oil. It did NOT add to your cars engine performance. I think SLICK 50 was also another one of those oil company gimicks. Come to think of it didn't that old snake charmer Carroll Shelby endorse some oil product claimimg all his series sports cars had some kind of oil additive in everyone of his engines.

[Joe C.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

A version of STP being sold nowadays is Rislone Ring Seal Smoke Repair.
As we all know thinner, not thicker oil will add to engine performance, unless, there is a problem with ring seal or worn bearings.

[Duke W.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

Back in the 60's and 70's it was a big deal. GM also had their version that was in every crate with a block.
Dom

STP and GM EOS are completely different products, and not at all similar.

Duke

[Edward S.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

Somewhere Andy Granatelli ts very mad!

[Domenic T.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

A version of STP being sold nowadays is Rislone Ring Seal Smoke Repair.
As we all know thinner, not thicker oil will add to engine performance, unless, there is a problem with ring seal or worn bearings.

It does take more HP to pump thicker oil. The newer engines have much tighter specs and use thinner oil, but back then, and if we re-build the old stuff we need a thicker oil for the old clearances.
I was given 50/W and 60/WT at the strip to run in the engines. I think it all depends what engines we are talking about as to the oil demands. We still use 40, 50, & 60/W in aviation engines because of the piston to wall clearences. Back then GM thought more about " improving" oil at break in with that additive they endorsed and sold. Times have changed but I still use the old parts that require thicker oil. The thicker oil gave the cushion needed for piston to wall until the piston expanded with heat. By then the thick oil was hot and thinner and the piston was fully expanded and the wall clearance was lesser. I know this is old stuff that but some may find it interesting.

Dom

[Bill S.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

STP and GM EOS are completely different products, and not at all similar.

Duke

Care to elaborate? What is the difference? TIA

[Domenic T.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

STP and GM EOS are completely different products, and not at all similar.

Duke

Duke,
Have you ever. Looked at EOS and STP next to each other? Yes they are similar. Both share the same thickness, ie. Viscosity and put side by side there was only a slight color difference. They were both, along with some others called VI, viscosity improvers.
There wasn't a mechanic that could tell the difference between either one. No secret that dealers ordered the gallon cans when ordering 55 gallon drums of oil for the lube rack.

Dom

[Patrick B.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

I seem to recall that the Federal Trade Commission once labeled STP as a worthless oil thickener. It recommended that people just buy higher viscosity oil if they actualy needed it rather than pay to thicken low viscosity oil.

[Rich C.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

I still listen to STP, Stone Temple Pilots...great band from the 90's!

1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 Collector Edition owned 13 months
Sierra Nevada Torpedo-currently on tap! 7.2% Tasty!

[Edward J.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

I remember back in the 70's STP had a problem with making the piston oil rings stick, I don't really don't know if the this was true , The motor oils of the 60's 70's was really not that great anyway. sludge was a big problem.

[Duke W.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

Duke,
Have you ever. Looked at EOS and STP next to each other? Yes they are similar. Both share the same thickness, ie. Viscosity and put side by side there was only a slight color difference. They were both, along with some others called VI, viscosity improvers.
There wasn't a mechanic that could tell the difference between either one. No secret that dealers ordered the gallon cans when ordering 55 gallon drums of oil for the lube rack.

Dom

EOS has a high concentration of ZDDP. That's why GM put a pint can in short block crates - to aid cam breakin.

I don't think STP has any ZDDP. You can't tell much about a petroleum product by color and apparent viscosity, alone.

BTW, GM only recommended EOS for engine breakin- not after.

Duke

[Dennis O.]

Re: STP ! Any one still using it.

Us guys with early Ford V8's find STP works very well in the steering box! Sorry, "the devil made me do it".