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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site alice.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!alice!wookie
From: wookie@alice.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cycle,net.auto
Subject: Re: synthetic oil
Message-ID: <2113@alice.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 15-Aug-83 15:03:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: alice.2113
Posted: Mon Aug 15 15:03:03 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 15-Aug-83 20:01:46 EDT
References: <4295@sdcarl.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Murray Hill
Lines: 27

Early synthetics had some problems but they seem to have improved these
oils so they do very well.  The problems you may run into are:

		1.  Synthetics have excellent film strength and so 
		    are typically fairly thin like 10 weight.  This 
		    improves gas mileage by reducing friction but
		    if the engine is worn or loosly fitted the oil 
		    pump may not be able to provide adequate flow
to maintain good pressure to all parts.

		2.  Because the oil is thinner it flows much faster
		    through the various parts.  It is thus unable
to pickup heat and carry it out of the engine.
		    This has been the problem in using synthetics
		    in racing.  The bearings overheat through lack
		    of cooling normally provided by the oil. (I think
		    the BTU capacity of the synthetics is also lower
                    than regular oil)

Otherwise the synthetics are great stuff and have been used in aircraft
turbines etc for years since regular oil can't do the job there.  If you
are not racing and the engine is tight they should work nicely and keep
your engine in better shape as they have better film strength and can
suspend combustion byproducts better than regular oils.

					Keith Bauer
					White Tiger Racing