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What is the recommended oil weight for the standard 1976 2.0ltr engine?

Thanks,

Karl
1976 TR7
1982 VW Scirocco

I use 20w50. I think all 2litre TR engines call for it.

Correct [;)]


<font color="blue"><i>1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
1981 TR7 DHC (now completely dismantled)
Also a 1980 TR7 DHC, 1980 TR7 DHC FI, 1981 TR7 FHC</font id="blue">
<font color="red">http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/</i></font id="red">

Overseas to the UK you can also use oils of SAE viscosity 10W/40, 10W/50, 15W/40, 15W/50 or 20W/40. All of these are correctly specified. Use in really cold Countries dictates Viscosity of 10W/30 or even 5W/40, 5W/30 or 5W/20 where ambient temperatures are well below zero. In the UK the car was specified to use 10W/40, 15W/40, 15W/50 or 20W/50.

To be honest 20W/50 is the nicest to use since I find being thicker it tends to somewhat dampen any inherent tappet noise from the original engine.

20W/50 oil in the UK seemed to get really inexpensive a while back because of its decreasing popularity I guess. It seems now though that some are 'brand marketing' it for classic cars since it was primarily used in most engines up to the early mid eighties. Naturally they demand a premium simply because of this!

I have been using this



So is that to thin or is it ok it is a 15W/40 ?


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<font size="4"><font color="green"><i>If it's not broke don't fix it.</i></font id="green"></font id="size4">

15W/40 is fine and correctly specified to use in the standard TR7. I believe it is thinner and a more modern oil than the 20W/50 though. In my experience a thicker oil seems to make the engine a little quieter tappet wise and would be more ideally suited to the TR7. For this reason I always use 20W/50. It is also better value overall. How often you change it is probably more important than its 'magnetic' properties.

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="2"><font color="blue">I'm sure this question has been asked dozens of times before (I think I've asked it once already, but can't find it in the archives [:I]) but I am about to fill my beauty with engine oil and coolant ready to have a go at starting soon [:p]. I would probably go for a standard Castrol GTX type oil, but does anybody have any advice on what is a suitable oil? I'm not sure about synthetic or mineral or whatever, so simple terms and explanations would be very much appreciated.

I am also about to fill the engine with coolant [:D], and was going to use a standard coolant which is suitable aluminium heads. Again, does anybody know of any good coolant or is anything suitable for ally heads okay?

All help greatly appreciated, as always [:)]. Thanks very much,

Mac </font id="blue"></font id="size2"></font id="Comic Sans MS">

The pheonix rises from the ashes - just give it time!http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/macmattom/

I use Valvoline 20W50 VR1, Millers, Morris and Castrol (and probably lots of others) do similar oils.

Definately mineral. Shell Helix 20W/50 just as Schumacher prescribes.


Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="2"><font color="blue">Is there a specific reason to prefer mineral over synthetic, or is that a manufacturer's recommendation? I'd appreciate any education you can give me here, guys, so I can decide on the facts and and make a considered decision.

Thanks,

Mac </font id="blue"></font id="size2"></font id="Comic Sans MS">

The pheonix rises from the ashes - just give it time!http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/macmattom/

I have used Castrol GTX for 25 years without an oil related failure. Although I'm sure that some of our Canadian friends will dispute this, keep in mind that some will argue anything. Oil brands, production numbers, etc. Maybe I should wait until I've posted 9500 times to have an opinion... Cheers, Scott

I use Castrol GTX 20w-50 and I dont have any problems it is good oil.

I'm swapping my coolant for what's in my Audi. Pentosin Blue coolant......305,000 on that car and took the cooling system apart a few years ago and it was spotless. No pitting or wear anywear, no gunk buildup, nothing.....There are a couple of other guys here that use it in their 7's as well.

+1 on the Castrol 20w50, used in every wedge Ive owned.

Coolant, I use regular anti-freeze mixed with Distilled water rather than tap water.

Johnny

These old engines are not designed or suitable for modern synthetics which are much thinner (lower viscosity). They need a 20w50 mineral oil. If synthetics are used they also tend to leak from the rubber seals.
In younger days I always used GTX (boy racer thing) but you could never actually find out its viscosity rating. Now I tend to use 'Classic' 20w50 produced by Comma (who actually make Mobil oils).

For coolant, I use standard anti freeze (Comma or Halfrauds), but to a minimum 50% concentration to help avoid internal corrosion.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto
'81 TR7 DHC