Brad Penn Oil

[Ronald S.]

Currently I am using Brad Penn 20W50 oil in my 1974 454 Corvette. The car resides in Florida. Would it be better if I use 10W40?

[Michael J.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

I would use a CJ-4 rated oil, 15W40 is standard for those.

[Russ S.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Currently I am using Brad Penn 20W50 oil in my 1974 454 Corvette. The car resides in Florida. Would it be better if I use 10W40?

I would say what you are useing is too heavy. 10W30 would be better.

[Duke W.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Currently I am using Brad Penn 20W50 oil in my 1974 454 Corvette. The car resides in Florida. Would it be better if I use 10W40?

Read the article starting on page 3.

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/St_Louis_NCRS_Chapter_July_2011.pdf

15W-40 is a very suitable viscosity range for year-round driving in Florida.

Duke

[John D.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Brad Penn oil is very affordable. Been using it for years as it's the old Kendall name produced in NW PA.

[Ronald S.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Thanks to all.

[Ronald S.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Does the Brad Penn oil 20W50 have too much zinc and phosphorous in it for my 1974 454 corvette. I don't understand the difference between the three categories on page 6 of your article "Engine Oil for Vintage Corvettes." Which CJ-4 API service category do you recommend for my car? What would be the name brand of the oil, and where can I buy it? Thank you.

[William M.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

I use Brad Penn 10W40 in the summer in my 73 454. I use 10w30 in the winter, which you don't have to worry about in FL.

[Paul H.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

I've been running the Shell Rotella 15W 40 for years in both my big and small block cars with no issues. Available at Walmart. It's cheap and it has what you need for your 74 454.

[John D.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Ronald, I see you are an infrequent user here.
I suggest you use the search at the top of the page and be prepared to read many 100's of posts on this subject. Enjoy. JD

[Michael W.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Does the Brad Penn oil 20W50 have too much zinc and phosphorous in it for my 1974 454 corvette. I don't understand the difference between the three categories on page 6 of your article "Engine Oil for Vintage Corvettes." Which CJ-4 API service category do you recommend for my car? What would be the name brand of the oil, and where can I buy it? Thank you.

Duke's article answers all these questions, but it may require re-reading several times to digest the large volume of info presented in a relatively short piece. In brief- choose an oil that has CJ-4 listed as the first API service category as shown in the three examples on page 6. Then choose the desired viscosity, in this case the leading recommendations are 10W30 and 15W40. As for brand name, re-read page 5. There is NO need for expensive boutique oils. I use Rotella like many of the posters here, found at Wally World.

[Michael J.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

I always use whatever CJ-4 is cheapest, lately it has been Motorcraft, 5 quart jug for $14.79.

[Duke W.]

Re: Brad Penn Oil

Does the Brad Penn oil 20W50 have too much zinc and phosphorous in it for my 1974 454 corvette. I don't understand the difference between the three categories on page 6 of your article "Engine Oil for Vintage Corvettes." Which CJ-4 API service category do you recommend for my car? What would be the name brand of the oil, and where can I buy it? Thank you.

I have no idea how much Zn or P Brad Penn oil has, nor do I know if it is even certified to an API category.

Read the article again. You clearly missed a few points and conclusions. API CJ-4 IS a single API service category. The only other thing you have to do is select a viscosity range. That's it. As I said in the article the secondary listed API categories can be confusing. Just ignore them and buy oil that has CJ-4 listed first and you are buying the correct oil. Did I say ignore the secondary categories if they confuse you. Oh, yes, I did.

All the auto parts and big box stores carry CJ-4, but it is often in a different section than the S-category oils.

I do not recommend specfic brands as I clearly stated in the article. I always buy the least expensive 15W-40 CJ-4 I can find. I buy on price and convenience.

BTW, if crude oil stays in the current range or goes lower, we should see a reduction in engine oil prices this summer, so I may be stocking up with a two to three year supply since I use CJ-4 in all my cars, the newest of which is 1991.

Duke