Using 20w50 oil with OEM bearing clearances
09-08-2010, 01:01 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Using 20w50 oil with OEM bearing clearances
As we all know, the F20c and F22c engines have tight bearing clearances of around .001". I have spoken with a few turbo guys that say 20w50 oil will be fine in the engine, but I also read on the net that 20w50 should only be used with looser bearing clearances of something like .0025"-.003" and should not be used if bearing clearances are tight like at .001".
Is it ok to run 20w50 oil with the OEM bearing clearances or is it too thick? I dont what to do any damage and my engine is very tight still since it only has 15k original miles on it.
I ask this because I run e85 and e85 has been known to thin the oil fast because of the acids it produces. I do change my oil every 1000 miles and use Amsoil premuim 10w40 full synthetic, which has a high TBN of 12.1 and is very good at neutralizing acids from fuels that produce high amounts of acids. I'm just trying to figure out if I should just stick with the Amsoil premuim 10w40 or switch to their 20w50 to up the oil weight some and to help save the stress on the crank and rod bearings while putting down around 700 whp with e85?
Is it ok to run 20w50 oil with the OEM bearing clearances or is it too thick? I dont what to do any damage and my engine is very tight still since it only has 15k original miles on it.
I ask this because I run e85 and e85 has been known to thin the oil fast because of the acids it produces. I do change my oil every 1000 miles and use Amsoil premuim 10w40 full synthetic, which has a high TBN of 12.1 and is very good at neutralizing acids from fuels that produce high amounts of acids. I'm just trying to figure out if I should just stick with the Amsoil premuim 10w40 or switch to their 20w50 to up the oil weight some and to help save the stress on the crank and rod bearings while putting down around 700 whp with e85?
09-08-2010, 05:05 AM
#2
Registered User
Changing it at 1000 miles is a little excessive I think, e85 or not. However, before anyone can say for certain, you need to send your oil off to be tested, that way you can see exactly where it sits.
As for the question, I'd leave what you have alone.
10w40, syn for your app seems appropriate.
I used 10w30 on my stock motor, and the bearings looked MINT when it was tore down, just for reference.
So with your gas, 10w40 seems just fine.
As for the question, I'd leave what you have alone.
10w40, syn for your app seems appropriate.
I used 10w30 on my stock motor, and the bearings looked MINT when it was tore down, just for reference.
So with your gas, 10w40 seems just fine.
09-08-2010, 11:12 AM
#3
Registered User
20w50 is all I have used with no issues.
Built Honda motors run the same rod/main tolerances as stock. The only difference is typically ring end gap and piston to cylinder wall tolerances
Built Honda motors run the same rod/main tolerances as stock. The only difference is typically ring end gap and piston to cylinder wall tolerances
09-08-2010, 11:29 AM
#4
Registered User
Originally Posted by boostedf22c,Sep 8 2010, 11:12 AM
20w50 is all I have used with no issues.
Built Honda motors run the same rod/main tolerances as stock. The only difference is typically ring end gap and piston to cylinder wall tolerances
Built Honda motors run the same rod/main tolerances as stock. The only difference is typically ring end gap and piston to cylinder wall tolerances
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=813573
09-08-2010, 12:13 PM
#5
Registered User
not to many engine builders are building them to oem spec. Many use the basic acl package which is a generic size and isn't nearly as tight as oem. I know this is how mine was built and blueprinted from laskey. I use a straight 50 weight with no issues.
09-08-2010, 01:20 PM
#6
Registered User
This is the first Honda motor I've owned that I haven't built myself. In the past I've always use OEM bearings, with OEM tolerances. And 20w50 oil.
Maybe Jeremy Allen sets them up looser (who built my motor), but I'm just speaking from my own personal engine building experience.
Maybe Jeremy Allen sets them up looser (who built my motor), but I'm just speaking from my own personal engine building experience.
09-08-2010, 01:39 PM
#7
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=boostedf22c,Sep 8 2010, 02:12 PM] 20w50 is all I have used with no issues.
Built Honda motors run the same rod/main tolerances as stock.
Built Honda motors run the same rod/main tolerances as stock.
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09-09-2010, 12:57 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Nobody else know anything?
09-09-2010, 09:12 PM
#9
Registered User
I've been talking to a few different people about this, and for looser clearanced motors, .0015 and up they are recommending 20w50 for the same reasons you mentioned.
It creates a nice bearing cushion.
It creates a nice bearing cushion.
09-09-2010, 09:23 PM
#10
Thread Starter
So, 20w50 is too thick for the stock bearing clearances then? Thats what I thought.
I've been discussing things with LJ over at Full Blown and we have come to the conclusion that it wasnt the weight of the oil he was using (10w40) that made his motor spin a bearing but the low TBN of the oil. The oil he was using had a TBN of only 7.5 and thus thinned out fast due to the acids of e85 and caused the spun bearing.
If anyone uses e85, make sure your oil you are using has at the least a TBN of 10 and change the oil every 1000 miles max.
I've been discussing things with LJ over at Full Blown and we have come to the conclusion that it wasnt the weight of the oil he was using (10w40) that made his motor spin a bearing but the low TBN of the oil. The oil he was using had a TBN of only 7.5 and thus thinned out fast due to the acids of e85 and caused the spun bearing.
If anyone uses e85, make sure your oil you are using has at the least a TBN of 10 and change the oil every 1000 miles max.