| Single viscosity oils are far better in warm climates. One of the most important details to keep in mind about oil grades is the fact that the engineers who designed your engine had a specific oil in mind dictated by the bearing clearances. If you think of the molecular structure of oil as a bunch of little spheres, then different grade oils are equivalent to having spheres of different diameters. The "thinner" the oil, the smaller these spheres get. As a result, there is more room for these spheres to fill the gap between two metal surfaces. When you have a worn motor, and if you change the viscosity of the oil, then you are subjecting the two metal surfaces to an environment of larger spheres. If the parts are worn, then the spheres will do a better job of filing in. But if the parts aren't worn, then they will eventually wear out until the spheres fit in. Think of assembly lube as the biggest set of spheres you can introduce to the engine parts. They help break in of the motor because they are allowing for parts to wear into each other until they conform to each other better. The same concept applies with those additives you see at the parts store that help reduce oil consumption in worn motors. When you look at the stuff, it has the consistency of molasses. So there is good and bad to this whole oil topic. All you need to do is to use your best judgement based on the motor you are working with. Chris Middlebrook 1962 Custom Southampton |
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